Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE LESSARD-SAMS OUTDOOR HERITAGE COUNCIL OUTDOOR HERITAGE FUND FOR A GRANT OF UP TO $800,000 TO RESTORE THE STREAM CHANNEL AND AQUATIC AND RIPARIAN HABITAT OF BUCKINGHAM CREEK.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL: RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized to apply to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council - Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) for a grant of up to $800,000 to restore the streambed and aquatic habitat of Buckingham Creek to enhance the native Brook Trout population.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the city of Duluth has the legal authority to apply for the money, and financial, technical and managerial capacity to ensure proper planning and maintenance of the project.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the match will be provided with a separate MN DNR federal grant application to United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Focus Area 4 (GLRI) of up to $1,000,000 for the same project. The GLRI funds will match the OHF and vice versa.
FURTHER RESOLVED, the Duluth city council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jen Carlson, City of Duluth Director of Finance, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application to the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council Outdoor Heritage Fund (OHF) for a grant of $800,000 to restore the stream channel and aquatic and riparian habitat of Buckingham Creek to enhance the native Brook Trout population. The match will be provided with a separate DNR federal grant application to United States Environmental Protection Agency, Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Focus Area 4 (GLRI) of up to $1,000,000.
The City of Duluth is working in collaboration with the MN DNR and South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District to restore the sections of Buckingham Creek that flow through the Enger Park Golf Course. This has been a priority outcome of the MN DNR for almost 20 years. This is a unique and time-constrained opportunity to integrate the stream restoration with the renovation of Enger Park Golf Course. This opportunity will leverage otherwise unavailable funds and expertise to enable the most desirable outcome for both Enger Park Golf Course and Buckingham Creek.
The ecological functions of Buckingham Creek and its brook trout population are negatively impacted by increasing average water temperature, altered flow patterns, irrigation impoundments, degradation of its floodplain and minimal overhead cover. Restoration will eliminate the existing irrigation ponds, and restore connectivity, riparian cover in appropriate places, and in-stream habitat. Restoration will enhance angling opportunities in this urban trout stream, promote resilience of the brook trout population to climate change, and improve water quality downstream and in the St. Louis River.
If funded by both the state and EPA, the total project would source materials for the creek restoration from a site on the golf course in such a manner as to excavate a new irrigation water storage pond that is a necessary part of critical work to construct and install a new Enger Park Golf Course irrigation system