HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-12-21 Public Comment - C. Nixon - Strategic Plan Priorities WetlandsFrom: Chris Nixon <pres@sacajaweaaudubon.org>
To: Agenda; Cyndy Andrus; Terry Cunningham; I-Ho Pomeroy; Michael Wallner; Jennifer Madgic; Jeff Mihelich
Subject: Comments on Strategic Plan Priorities Report 01/12/2021
Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2021 11:39:03 AM
Attachments: 2021-12-01 Letter to the City Commissioners.pdf
Please find attached Sacajawea Audubon Societies comments for tonights meeting on the
Strategic Planning Priorities Report
Thank You,
Chris Nixon
President, Sacajawea Audubon Society
406-544-4901
PO Box 1711 Bozeman, Montana 59771-1711
Sacajaweaaudubon.org
Board Members:
Chris Nixon John Edwards Mary Schlosser Emma Narotzky Loreene Reid Aaron Clausen Vicki Saab Forrest Rowland Travis Kidd William Burton
A Local Chapter of the National Audubon Society
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Sacajawea Audubon Society
January 12, 2021
Dear Mayor and Commissioners,
In reviewing the Strategic Plan Priorities, January 12, 2021, by City Manager Jeff Mihelich, Sacajawea
Audubon Society(SAS) and Montana Aquatic Resources Services (MARS) have a few comments and
questions on the Wetland priorities for your working session at the January 12, 2021 Bozeman City
Commission meeting.
First and foremost, we would like to commend the City of Bozeman, its Staff and Commissioners for
taking action on the importance of our riverine wetlands by including Wetlands in the City’s Strategic
Planning as a priority. Wetlands are the single greatest resource for protecting water quality. Wetlands
improve water quality by filtering contaminants, providing important wildlife habitat and migration
corridors, and acting as a sponge to provide flood control during periods of high runoff. They maintain
groundwater levels and support the increasing demands of our population. By not allowing these
wetlands to continue to shrink or be eliminated, you are maintaining the ecological health of
Bozeman’s clean waters and abundant habitat.
Our comments and questions addressing the Strategic Plan Priorities Wetlands statements are in light
brown below:
WHAT’S BEEN DONE?
Staff are currently working to develop a program for wetland protection, enhancement, and future local
mitigation banking. Completed efforts include:
Staff have established a cross-functional core team including staff from Public Works, City Attorney’s
Office, Community Development, and Parks and Recreation.
1. When will the City include Sacajawea Audubon Society, Montana Aquatic Resources Services,
Trout Unlimited, and Gallatin Watershed Council in this discussion?
2. What is the process for SAS to reach out and assist the cross-functional core team with the
Strategic Plan Wetland Priorities?
The City has established contacts within US Corps of Engineers (USACE) and identified the regulatory
issues between the City’s interests and the allowable federal wetland banking requirements and
permitting process.
1. What are the regulatory issues and allowable federal wetland banking requirements and
permitting process that have been identified?
Staff have started to update the Stormwater Facility Plan which will include constructed wetlands as a
significant stormwater treatment component moving forward within the City.
1. Would you identify where we can find the plans for updating the Stormwater Facility Plan to
construct wetlands and what is the process for community input?
Board Members:
Chris Nixon John Edwards Mary Schlosser Emma Narotzky Loreene Reid Aaron Clausen Vicki Saab Forrest Rowland Travis Kidd William Burton
Sacajawea Audubon Society - A Local Chapter of the National Audubon
January 12, 2021 Letter to City of Bozeman Commissioners p.2
The Public Works Department thoroughly analyzes costs associated with wetland mitigation banking
credit purchases for future project impacts and shares the analysis with the City Manager prior to making
credit purchase decisions.
1. What components are in a " thoroughly analyzes costs associated with wetland mitigation
banking credit purchases"? Who within the Public Works Department produces this
analysis? Are they considering both ecological & economical benefits and risk? Is it possible to
share this analysis with us? It is our understanding that the City is making decisions on credit
purchases based on lowest price solely. Are there other considerations the City is using, and if
so, can these be provided?
WHAT’S NEXT?
The priority for upcoming year will be the ongoing effort to establish a formal wetland banking system
within the City (in concert with USACE requirements.) This effort to protect wetlands will require the
follow actions:
Staff will update the inventory on wetlands within the City limits/growth boundary and update the critical
lands study.
1. How can SAS assist the City with the inventory of wetlands within the City limits/growth
boundary. Has the City considered conducting and sharing the cost of wetland inventory with
Gallatin County, as it has in the past?
2. What is meant by establishing a formal wetland banking system? Is there a project in mind? Is
the City planning to establish their own wetland and/or stream mitigation bank?
Staff will analyze the idea of accepting wetlands into newly developed parklands.
1. How can Sacajawea Audubon Society and other partners help in the next steps to ensure this
happens?
Staff will review and update the Unified Development Code on wetland requirements and ensure
consistency with Strategic Plan and USACE regulations.
1. How will the City draft language for the UDC update?
Using relationships developed in 2020 staff will work with USACE on establishment of a City-operated
wetland bank, most likely associated with an expanded stormwater program.
1. What is meant by the above statement?
Thank you for addressing this important issue.
Sincerely,
Christopher Nixon
President of the Board of Directors
Sacajawea Audubon Society