Submitted by Pat Kriesel, LWV Observer.
Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) presentation by Howard Merriam and the New Comprehensive Water Plan report by Heidi Hamilton provided discussion at the recent Planning Commission meeting.
Merriam, Director of Resource and Park Planning, who worked with a consultant for the NRI study would like to see a “Greenway Corridor Action Plan” in the future. A Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) map of 5 detailed NRI land types was drawn, including lands within the city and the Urban Expansion Area. Natural Resource website: www.ci.northfield.mn.us.
Total area mapped was 10,207 acres including:
3758 acres impervious surfaces
750 acres lawn and park areas
3736 acres cropland
1963 acres open space
High quality natural areas and unique features:
Rich fen (marsh) at Hauberg Woods- 70 acres
Floodplain forests along the Cannon River
Forests along stream corridors, especially Heath Creek
Natural areas/ open space:
stream and river corridors
ecological areas managed by the colleges
Community Development Director, Brian O’Connell, emphasized that staff will be working to implement the Natural Resources Inventory into the Comprehensive Plan by ordinances and annexations and will make a report to the commission.
Hamilton, Public Works Director/ City Engineer, gave a pin-point presentation of a consultant study on the existing water distribution system and recommended improvements. The current system is strong overall. EPA standards are met, but manganese contaminants, treated with polyphosphates, and water hardness levels are negative effects. There are 4 wells and three 1 million gallon storage tanks.
Plans for the future:
New water treatment plant with a water softener at $23 million is considered too expensive.
2 new booster stations in northwest area to be started in 2006 and south area later- $1.5 million
Three new wells, one by 20020- $2.02 million
The new water infrastructure improvements will be financed by utility assessments.
Next meeting will be February 14, 2006.
