HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-10-20 Public Comment - C. Nixon, W. Weaver, T. Michalek - Idaho Pole Urban Renewal District (URD)- ltr 20-10-09[Type here]
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Sacajawea Audubon Society
November 9, 2020
City Commission PO Box 1230 Bozeman, MT 59771
RE: Idaho Pole Urban Renewal District (URD)
Dear Commissioners,
Sacajawea Audubon Society, Gallatin Watershed Council and Montana Aquatic Resource Services have reviewed the Pole Yard Urban Renewal District (URD) Plan. We have also reviewed the October 27, 2020 Commission Memorandum recommending provisional adoption of Ordinance 2055 in support
of creating the Pole Yard URD and adopting the Pole Yard URD Plan. The purpose of this letter is to provide the City of Bozeman with our thoughts and recommendations related to the proposed Pole Yard URD.
We recognize that economic development of Bozeman would benefit from creation of new environmentally green industries that fit with the goals of the draft 2020 Bozeman Growth Plan. However, we do request that the Pole Yard URD Plan be amended to give appropriate priority to
protection and enhancement of the existing wetland and stream riparian areas within the proposed URD. As shown in other urban areas of the United States, industrial/commercial development of property is not mutually exclusive with the preservation and enhancement of ecologically valuable
wetlands and riparian areas.
The proposed Pole Yard URD boundaries are largely within the former floodplain created by the historic meandering channels of the East Gallatin River and Bozeman Creek. When Lewis and Clark made their return journey, they struggled to make passage because the entire area was covered with
interconnected river channels and beaver ponds. Those historic wetland and riparian areas have been highly impacted due to infilling from freeway construction, railroad construction, and agricultural drainage. However, there are still significant remnants of those riparian areas and wetlands within the proposed Pole Yard URD boundaries. This area is one of the largest, if not the largest wetland/riparian areas left within the city limits of Bozeman. These critical land types play a key role in flood mitigation and pollution reduction, and are important assets to enhance and protect for the sustainable growth of Bozeman.
In reviewing the Pole Yard URD Plan, we did not see much congruence with many of the important
goals of the draft 2020 Bozeman Growth Plan. The following goals of the draft 2020 Bozeman Growth Plan should be specifically addressed in the Pole Yard URD Plan.
EPO-1.2 Collaborate with partner agencies and organizations to establish sustainable funding sources
for ongoing acquisition, construction, and operations of City parks, trails, gardens, and open space.
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SAS, GWC, MARS - RE: Idaho Pole Urban Renewal District (URD) Nov. 9, 2020
EPO-1.5 Work with partner organizations to identify and reduce impacts on at-risk, environmentally sensitive areas that contribute to water quality, wildlife corridors, or wildlife habitat.
Goal EPO-2: Work to ensure that development is responsive to natural features.
EPO-2.1 Where appropriate, activate connections to waterways by creating locations, adjacent trails,
and amenities encouraging people to access them.
EPO-2.2 Work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep wetlands mitigation within the Gallatin
Valley rather than locating to other watersheds.
EPO-2.3 Identify, prioritize, and preserve key wildlife habitat and corridors.
EPO-4.2 Update floodplain and other regulations that protect the environment.
The primary theme of the Pole Yard URD Plan is industrial and commercial development, and there is no discussion of a process that would ensure that the above goals from the draft 2020 Bozeman Growth Plan will get appropriate consideration in carrying out future development of the Pole Yard URD.
From an ecological standpoint our fear is that industrial/commercial development of the Pole Yard URD will result in widespread loss of existing wetland and riparian areas. Sacajawea Audubon Society believes that the Pole Yard URD is an opportunity to show that the City of Bozeman can carry out
commercial/industrial development hand-in-hand with preservation and enhancement of wetlands and riparian areas.
Thanks for your consideration.
Respectfully Submitted,
Christopher Nixon President, Board of Directors Sacajawea Audubon Society P.O. Box 1711 Bozeman, MT 59771
Wendy Weaver Executive Director Montana Aquatic Resource Services P.O. Box 338 Livingston, MT 59047
Tom Michalek Board Chair Gallatin Watershed Council P.O. Box 751 Bozeman, MT 59771