Item Description:
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Amd 8 to Agmt A080788 with the MN Land Trust to co-hold three additional conservation easements in Minnetrista and two additional conservation easements in Independence; incr NTE by $120,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 8 to Agreement A080788 with the Minnesota Land Trust to co-hold an 18-acre conservation easement in the city of Minnetrista (PID 11-117-24-21-0007), a 47-acre conservation easement in the city of Minnetrista (PID 11-117-24-24-0006), a 22-acre conservation easement in the city of Minnetrista (PIDs 11-117-24-21-0008 and 11-117-24-21-0002), a 37-acre conservation easement in the city of Independence (PID 20-118-24-33-0004), and a 17-acre conservation easement in the city of Independence (PID 29-118-24-21-0003), increasing the not to exceed amount by $120,000 to a new total not to exceed amount of $498,500, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendment and related easement documents on behalf of Hennepin County; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
The county works with local governments and landowners to conserve and protect natural resources and wildlife habitat. In 2016, the board approved the Natural Resources Strategic Plan and the Hennepin County Conservation Easement Program (Resolution 16-0144R2), which together established a framework to pursue conservation easements and criteria for evaluating conservation easement opportunities. In 2021, the county established a goal to acquire 6,000 acres of conservation easements in its Climate Action Plan.
A conservation easement is a set of development restrictions a landowner voluntarily places on their property to preserve its conservation value. The landowner retains ownership of the land and continues to pay property taxes.
The Minnesota Land Trust (MLT) is a Minnesota non-profit organization that acquires, holds, manages, and enforces conservation easements in Minnesota. Currently, the county and MLT jointly hold 13 conservation easements pursuant to the terms of the Agreement A080788 (Resolutions 08-0223, 11-0226, 12-0478, 18-0049, 20-0059, 20-0381, 21-0220, 22-0235).
Hennepin County and MLT have jointly been awarded three grants totaling $9.3 million from the Outdoor Heritage Fund to fund the acquisition of conservation easements and to undertake habitat restoration and enhancement activities. Fifteen easement acquisitions have been approved under these grants over the past five years, with thirteen now completed totaling 465 acres.
Environment and Energy staff recommend five additional easement projects that meet the criteria set forth in the Conservation Easement Program. These projects were also reviewed by a Technical Advisory Committee of external partners who have agreed the projects are worthy of protection.
• Lake Minnetonka (Gillette, D) in Minnetrista: 18 acres of upland forest, grassland, wetlands, and marshland.
• Lake Minnetonka (Gillette, L&M) in Minnetrista: 47 acres of upland forest, grassland, wetlands, and marshland; 2,028 linear feet of a headwater stream to Painter Creek and Lake Minnetonka; and an opportunity to convert hayfield to native prairie or forest.
• Lake Minnetonka (Gillette, L&M 2) in Minnetrista: 22 acres of upland forest, grassland, and wetlands and an opportunity to convert hayfield to native prairie or forest.
• Pioneer Creek (LaFond) in Independence: 37 acres of wetlands, grassland, and several restorable wetlands and an opportunity to convert hayfield to native prairie.
• Pioneer Creek (LaFond 2) in Independence: 17 acres of wetlands and grassland and 470 linear feet of Pioneer Creek.
These easements comprise part of a critical habitat corridor, are adjacent to other permanently protected natural areas, and are adjacent to or encompass sites of significant biodiversity designated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
Investing in nature-based climate solutions, like land conservation and restoration is a foundational component to achieving the county’s net zero climate goal through carbon sequestration. Climate experts consider preservation of existing habitat as one of the most cost-effective ways to mitigate climate change. Preservation and restoration also increase resilience to a changing climate, especially in reducing flooding and extreme heat.
Current Request:
This request seeks approval of Amendment 8 to A080788 with MLT to co-hold three additional conservation easements on properties in the city of Minnetrista and two additional conservation easements on properties in the city of Independence, increasing the amount not to exceed by $120,000 with a new total not to exceed of $498,500.
The agreement outlines the roles of MLT and the county as co-holders of these and 13 previous conservation easements and places the responsibility for administration of the easements with MLT. MLT’s responsibilities include the completion of title searches, coordination of surveys and appraisals as well as annual inspections of easements and enforcement of the terms of these easements. These services are funded in part by stewardship fees.
This amendment allocates $24,000 per easement, totaling $120,000 to be used to pay MLT stewardship fees. The cost of the stewardship fees for these easements is part of the Hennepin County committed match to the Outdoor Heritage Fund grant. Funding for the negotiated purchase prices of these conservation easements will be paid by MLT from the Outdoor Heritage Fund grant.
Impact/Outcomes:
The proposed easements will permanently protect 141 acres of ecologically significant natural areas in the cities of Minnetrista and Independence. These projects connect and expand existing land protected by prior easement projects, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District, or Three Rivers Park District. Conservation easements provide wildlife habitat, flood storage, water filtration, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and improve the county’s resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Securing these easements supports the county’s Climate Action Plan goal of protecting 6,000 acres of conservation easements by 2040. This action also supports the county’s goal of planting one million trees by 2030. These easements will make 13 acres available for forest and woodland restoration.
Further, this action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by storing and sequestering carbon, which mitigate climate change and its impacts on vulnerable populations.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval