Laserfiche WebLink
<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />PROPOSED AMENDMENT <br />TO THE RICE CREEK NORTH REGIONAL TRAIL <br />MASTER PLAN <br /> <br />The following amendment to the Rice Creek North Regional Trail Master Plan (June <br />1998) has been prepared and is being proposed by the Ramsey County Parks and <br />Recreation Department. Acquisition of the land included in the proposed <br />amendment will preserve a corridor which links the Rice Creek corridor with the <br />1500-acre preserve under the management of the Minnesota National Guard. The <br />corridor will preserve a hydrological and wildlife movement functions, as well as <br />future trail connections to the large preserve. The property is currently part of the <br />Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCMP) and an "Excessing Process" has been <br />initiated to dispose of the property. <br /> <br />Amendment to Section VIII ACQUISITION DETAILS <br /> <br />A. Parcel Information <br /> <br />The 1998 Master Plan identified two parcels for acquisition; Parcel A, 113 acres <br />from TCAAP and Parcel B, 11 acres from MnDOT. (See enclosed Boundary Map). <br /> <br />1. Amendment Action: This amendment proposes that the acquisition boundary <br />for the regional trail corridor be expanded to include an additional 49 acres of <br />TCAAP property. The property has been identified as Parcel C and Parcel D. <br /> <br />Parcel C: U.S. Dept. of Defense, 42.75 acres <br />Parcel D: U.S. Dept. of Defense, 6.25 acres <br /> <br />2. Amendment Justification: The proposed amendment will enable Ramsey County <br />to acquire an important natural corridor between the existing boundary of the <br />regional trail and the large nature preserve managed by the Minnesota National <br />Guard. <br /> <br />Preservation of the wildlife corridor is consistent with the 1996 "Vision for the <br />Future" plan (a.k.a. Vento Reuse Plan) adopted by the TCMP Reutilization <br />Committee appointed by the late Congressman Bruce Vento. The Minnesota <br />Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has identified the wildlife corridor as an <br />integral ecological link between Rice Creek on the west and a future regional park <br />reserve on the east. In addition to its local ecological significance, the DNR believes <br />that the wildlife corridor is a key link to two regionally significant ecological corridors <br />- the Mississippi River and the St. Croix River corridors. <br /> <br />The additional area has been identified as two separate parcels. Parcel D has <br />contamination which must be cleaned up prior to a transfer to Ramsey County. (See <br />map). Parcel C is free of contamination and could be transferred as soon as the <br />excessing process is complete. <br /> <br />3. Restoration/Development: The area contains several small buildings, roads and <br />a railroad spur. The buildings will be removed within five years. It is anticipated that <br />the roads and railroad will be removed in conjunction and cooperation with <br />