HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-27-23 Public Comment - D. Carty- [EXTERNAL]Thank you_ Jul 25, 2023, Wetland Protection Mitigation Work SessionFrom:Daniel Carty
To:Cyndy Andrus; Terry Cunningham; Christopher Coburn; Jennifer Madgic; I-Ho Pomeroy
Cc:Agenda
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Thank you: Jul 25, 2023, Wetland Protection Mitigation Work Session
Date:Wednesday, July 26, 2023 8:15:02 AM
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(Note: Please place the following comment in the Wetland Mitigation Folder on the
City's public comment webpage.)
Date: July 26, 2023 (8:15 AM)
I am writing to thank the City of Bozeman for holding the Wetland Protection
Mitigation Work Session during the July 25, 2023, City Commission meeting. Based
on that work session, it was encouraging to learn the City plans to continue to work to
fully protect existing wetlands within City limits—or at least to manage wetlands within
City limits with the objective of no net loss. As I learned at the work session, no net
loss of wetlands can best be achieved via the following step-down process:
(1) On-site Project Assessment: Assess the development site and project before
project begins.
(2) Avoidance: Avoid wetland impacts when and where possible. (3) Minimize: Minimize adverse impacts to wetlands when and where such impacts
cannot be avoided.
(4) Mitigate: Offset unavoidable wetland impacts by "relocating" wetlands either to
another on-site location or to another suitable location within City limits.
The first step, on-site project assessment, is undoubtedly the most important. And, in
my view, on-site project assessment would best be done by a combination of
professionals such as a City-employed Urban Ecologist with wetlands experience(broader focus) and a City-employed Wetlands Ecologist (narrower focus), both of
whom would need to be knowledgeable of applicable federal, state, and City wetlands
regulations (codes) and both of whom should be independent of the City's Community
Development Department. Independence from the City's Community DevelopmentDepartment would be necessary to ensure full, fair, and impartial reviews of both
private and public development projects and road-building projects.
The definition of a wetlands ecologist is, to a large extent, self-explanatory:"Wetlands ecologists examine interactions between species and their environment,
recognizing the important role that hydrology plays in shaping the physicochemical
environment and biological communities in wetlands." At the work session, however,
there appeared to be some question about what urban ecology is, what an urbanecologist does, whether universities grant urban ecology degrees, and whether cities
hire urban ecologists. To that end, I offer the following information:
Urban ecology is defined as "the study of ecosystems that include humans living in
cities and urbanizing landscapes. It is an emerging, interdisciplinary field that aims to
understand how human and ecological processes can coexist in human-dominated
systems and help societies with their efforts to become more sustainable."
Urban ecologists "study vegetation, water flow, wildlife, and open spaces in cities to
monitor the health of these resources and how they respond to pollution,
development, and other pressures."
Urban ecology degrees are granted by several U.S. universities, including—but notlimited to—the University of Michigan, Iowa State University, and the University of
Washinton, Seattle. (https://bestaccreditedcolleges.org/articles/urban-ecology-
schools.html)
Although not yet common, urban ecologists are hired by cities, including—but I'm
sure not limited to—Seattle, WA.
(https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/seattle/jobs/4107269/senior-urban-
ecology-analyst)
In conclusion, at the July 25, 2023, Wetland Protection Mitigation Work Session, it
was encouraging to learn that the City plans to continue to work to fully protect
existing wetlands within City limits—or at least to manage wetlands within City limits
with the objective of no net loss.
Daniel Carty
213 N. Third Ave.Bozeman, MT 59715
dgc12@hotmail.com
406-548-2810