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RICE CREEK NORTH REGIONAL TRAIL MASTER PLAN | 45 survey location and will continue to monitor the site. An ash tree replacement plan was implemented in 2018 to address replacement of ash tree’s within recreational areas throughout the county park system. Ash trees within natural areas will not be inventoried or replaced because of the sheer quantity throughout the park system. Fortunately, within the Rice Creek corridor, there are limited numbers of ash trees within the natural areas and no ash trees within the recreational areas, including parking lots. In an effort to reduce common carp in Long Lake and the connected Lino Chain of Lakes, including Rice Creek, the Rice Creek Watershed District (RCWD) has been leading an effort to monitor and remove carp from the system since 2016. This has included the installation of two low-voltage electric barrier and guidance systems, one of which is located on Rice Creek just upstream of Long Lake within the corridor. Containing the carp via these barriers is key for removal and prevents further migration to breeding areas. The Ramsey County Parks & Recreation will continue to cooperate with RCWD for the potential install of a permanent barrier in this location and allowing access for carp removal efforts within the rice creek corridor. Water Resources The surface and groundwater monitoring and regulatory authority within the corridor is completed by local, state, and federal agencies, primarily the Rice Creek Watershed District. The parks department must consult with the watershed district if projects arise that may have an impact on wetlands, groundwater or have an increase in stormwater volume to contributing surface waters within the corridor. Other overseeing agencies include the U.S. army Corp of Engineers, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, the Minnesota Department of Health and the Ramsey County Soil and Water Conservation Division of Parks & Recreation. These agencies will coordinate with the Ramsey County Parks & Recreation department for monitoring access or regulatory purposes. Surface water and wetland protection and preservation is a priority within the corridor and all local, state and federal wetland protection and regulations will be followed. When development within the corridor occurs steps will include avoiding impacts first; second, minimize impacts; and, finally, mitigate impacts when no other options are available. Areas located within the TCAAP plume and where there is surface / ground water interaction should be recognized when planning any future development within the corridor. Surface water best management practices will be considered in the planning of any future development within the corridor to meet regulatory agencies requirements and beyond. Soils Soil contamination and remediation has occurred in and around the former Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, including south of the wildlife corridor located in the central section of the corridor. Future development may require further testing of soils depending on development requirements. Research Most research in the corridor is welcome but must be approved by parks staff and deemed beneficial to the local flora and fauna. Research within the corridor includes volunteer monitoring and surveys completed by local and state agencies. The University of Minnesota has been conducting buckthorn suppression research within the oak woodlands located in the central section of the corridor. This study started in 2016 and will continue until 2022. The study includes removal of buckthorn in plots and the culturing of native vegetation to determine the suppression effects of differing native vegetation combinations on buckthorn regeneration. When the study is completed the native vegetation plots will be incorporated into future restoration efforts. Limits of development A development suitability map was created to help guide future development planning within the corridor. The site was subdivided into development suitability units based on slope, soils, land cover, and sensitive animal and plant species present. The development suitability map, which can be found in the appendix, should be used as a general planning tool to determine development restrictions within the corridor. More precise development planning may be required during the overall planning process of a specific development project. The suitability classes are defined as: