HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-21-22 Public Comment - A. Breuer - Public Comment for UPF Board Meeting re PRAT PlanFrom:Abigail Breuer
To:Agenda
Cc:Addi Jadin
Subject:Public comment for UPF Board meeting (9/22/2022) re: PRAT Plan
Date:Wednesday, September 21, 2022 10:44:36 PM
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Dear Urban Parks and Forestry Board,
According to the August 2022 open house series, two of the major themes in consideration forthe upcoming PRAT plan are: "create environmental standards to care for natural areas" and
"strategically acquire land that includes important habitats to protect native and migratoryspecies."
I believe the restoration of Mandeville Creek on the BHS campus, dedicated parkland (20
acres) surrounding Mandeville Creek in the South University District subdivision, and linearpark along Alder Creek in the Blackwood Groves subdivision, illustrate the potential for
stream, riparian area, and wetland acquisition and restoration to achieve the aforementionedthemes, among others, of the PRAT plan. In these areas, Bozeman benefits from newly-
conserved and restored natural areas that contribute to native and migratory species habitat,along with improved water quality, and users of adjacent fields and trails benefit from the
opportunity to enjoy natural areas right in town. Like many in-town creeks, prior torestoration, Mandeville Creek on the BHS campus had been straightened into a linear ditch
and even entombed underground.
Through these major themes, the PRAT plan offers to serve as an important tool to encouragesimilar attention to the many neglected streams, riparian areas, and wetlands in City limits,
each of which has the potential to contribute to habitat and water quality functions, along withrecreational enjoyment, for our community. To learn about the environmental standards
applied, and to see before and after images of the BHS Mandeville Creek restoration, pleasevisit bhscreek.org
I appreciate your service to our community.
Thank you,
Abigail Breuer