HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-22-23 Public Comment - Gallatin Watershed Council - Final Draft PRAT Comment for the Urban Parks and Forestry BoardFrom:Tess Parker
To:Agenda
Subject:Final Draft PRAT Comment for the Urban Parks and Forestry Board
Date:Thursday, June 22, 2023 10:25:21 AM
Attachments:Final Draft PRAT Comment for the Urban Parks and Forestry Board.docx - Google Docs.pdf
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you
recognize the sender and know the content is safe.
To Whom It May Concern,
The Gallatin Watershed Council is submitting the attached public comment to the Urban ParksAnd Forestry board to be considered for the final draft PRAT plan.
Thank you,
The Gallatin Watershed Council--
Tess Parker, Project ManagerGallatin Watershed Council
www.gallatinwatershedcouncil.org | tess@gallatinwatershedcouncil.orgCell: 253-549-3260
To: City of Bozeman Urban Parks and Forestry Board
From: Gallatin Watershed Council
RE: Recommendations for the Draft PRAT Plan
Date: 6/22/2023
Dear Urban Parks and Forestry Board,
The Gallatin Watershed Council is pleased by how the draft PRAT Plan has evolved. The final draft PRAT
Plan outlines strategies that have significant natural resource considerations, including to “allow all
active transportation typologies to be located within watercourse setbacks”, and all of Chapter 4 , namely,
using parks as a tool to “promote the protection and enhancement of intact, contiguous natural resource
areas”, and creating and enforcing “design standards and management practices appropriate to each
landscape type.” The successful implementation of these actions are dependent on having appropriate,
professional, natural resource expertise. There are a few amendments we would like to recommend
based around ensuring that there is adequate capacity to provide guidance, review, and enforcement
when natural resources impacts are considered.
1. Strategy 3.8 : GWC is supportive of allowing “all active transportation typologies to be located
within watercourse setbacks” if it is the exception, not the rule, and if there is adequate
technical review. We are encouraged that this option will be restricted to “where infill
pathways are needed to facilitate connections to a larger trail network, and where lot
constraints prevent additional setback.” But, it is unclear why DNRC was listed as the entity
“to review impacts within the watercourse setback.” We are not familiar with a situation
where DNRC serves in this role, and recommend replacing this sentence with: “Impacts within
watercourse setbacks should be reviewed by a professional water resource specialist.”
2. Strategy 4.6 : "Scale Department capacity to provide knowledgeable natural resources
evaluation during the development planning process for future facilities investments and
skillful management of natural areas." This recommendation is based on the understanding
that “future facilities investments” applies to build infrastructure, and does not include
natural area parks.
The Gallatin Watershed Council guides collaborative water stewardship
in the Gallatin Valley for a healthy and productive landscape.
www.gallatinwatershedcouncil.org
1
3. Strategy 4.6: More directly support this strategy by including the following additional bullets:
○ Train and hire staff to support strategic natural parkland acquisition and the creation and
enforcement of design standards within natural area parks.
○ Consider models to provide additional natural resource expertise during the
development planning process such as contracting with natural resource specialists
and/or organizations, and/or creating some sort of dedicated natural resource review
board. This aligns well with Chapter 2: Strengthen Programs, Places, and Partnerships to
meet changing community needs .
Thank you for your consideration,
Gallatin Watershed Council
The Gallatin Watershed Council guides collaborative water stewardship
in the Gallatin Valley for a healthy and productive landscape.
www.gallatinwatershedcouncil.org
2