03-31-1997 Planning Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Growth in Hennepin County appears to have reached the point that it is now economically viable to develop all but the few remaining maple-basswood forests present on steep slopes. Therefore, unless they are deemed worthy of protection by citizens or local governments, most of the remaining unprotected forests will be developed over the next few years. The citizens of Eden Prairie last year overwhelmingly approved a referendum to raise $3.5 million through taxes to buy and protect land supporting native habitats, including one of the best remaining unprotected maple-basswood forests in southern Hennepin County. Residents of Maple Grove and Plymouth passed similar referendums this spring to purchase land for open space. Some of the parcels being considered are good-quality remnants of maple-basswood forest along Elm Creek, one of which will otherwise be developed soon. There is no immediately life-threatening reason to worry about the loss of more maple-basswood forests from Hennepin County. If the remaining maple-basswood forests in the county were bulldozed away tomorrow and replaced by subdivisions or malls, few people would perceive the difference. But the county would be more biologically impoverished, we would have lost some of our natural heritage, and we would have destroyed sites that provide unique aesthetic and educational opportunities. The Minnesota County Biological Survey, a Department of Natural Resources Program charged with inventorying and mapping Minnesota ’s native vegetation, is working at a rapid pace to provide citizens and local governments with information on remaining native habitats statewide. This information is intended to help make informed decisions on where and how development occurs, ideally guiding it away from biologically sensitive or unique areas. Survey of the remaining maple-basswood forests and other native habitats of Hennepin County is part of the County Biological Sur\'cy’s efforts this summer. Hopefully the information gathered will help to preserve a few more acres of the Big Woods that once covered Hennepin County. maple-basswood forest For more information on maple-b't'-wood forests and other native habitats in Hennepin County, contact: Fred Harris, Plant Ecologist (282-2683) or Daniel Wovcha. Plant Ecologist (297-7264), Minnesota County Biological Survey Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road, Box 7 St. Paul. MN 55155 ©1995 Stale of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources