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Big Island Nature Park Management Plan November 2011 ____________________________________________________________________________ 12 II. NATURAL RESOURCES This section includes a natural resources inventory and outlines appropriate natural resources management consistent with protection of the conservation values of the land identified in the conservation easement held by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (―the District‖): Conservation Values A. Approximately 7,500 feet of undeveloped lake frontage on Lake Minnetonka, that helps protect the water quality of the Lake from impacts of non-point source pollution and provides habitat for flora and fauna. Lake Minnetonka is an important natural resource and recreation area in the Twin Cities metropolitan area; B. Approximately 7.59 acres of wetlands providing valuable habitat and also deemed important by the District for the protection and enhancement of water quality in Lake Minnetonka; C. Undeveloped vegetated buffers and uplands, including significant stands of maple- basswood forest that provide habitat for flora and fauna and protect the property‘s wetlands from non-point source pollution impacts that could be associated with future development or other uses of surrounding land including the Protected Property; D. A bald eagle nesting site. Bald eagles are considered a Minnesota Special Concern Species by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; and E. Offers the general public opportunities to experience, appreciate, and learn about the natural environment through sustainable outdoor recreation and educational opportunities. Inventory and Analysis Regional Context Big Island is a large island in the Lower Lake portion of Lake Minnetonka. The island is partially developed, but largely preserved by parks and easements. The District maintains easement rights over important natural areas on the island. The eastern portion of the island (―the site‖) covered by the easement is approximately 56.41 acres. The site is owned by the City of Orono (―the City‖) and is contiguous with the Arthur Allen Wildlife Sanctuary owned by Three Rivers Park District; other land use on the island is residential and seasonal lakeshore parcels. West of the site there is an area of regional biodiversity significance on the Three Rivers Park District property. The plant community on Three Rivers Park District property was identified by the Department of Natural Resources‘ Minnesota County Biological Survey as sugar maple- basswood-(bitternut hickory) forest with moderate biodiversity significance. The designation of moderate significance means the area ―contains occurrences of rare species, moderately disturbed native plant communities, and/or landscapes that have strong potential for recovery of native plant communities and characteristic ecological processes.‖ The City of Orono owned site subject to this management plan has a designated natural area (see ALTA Survey, Appendix B) that contains maple-basswood forest and multiple wetlands. The forest received a Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) grade B, indicating a good quality natural community with some evidence of past human impacts and a