Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout20230809 - Sustainability Advisory Board - Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan Work Session #2Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Protection Plan Connecting our Landscape, Heritage, and Future on Common Ground Sustainability Citizen Advisory Board Work Session | August 9, 2023 Guiding Questions •What are the key considerations for the identified themes as it relates to climate change (e.g., wildlife & biodiversity, connectivity, agricultural heritage, water quality & quantity)? •How should the data and tools be used to inform decisions related to the Bozeman Climate Plan? Project Goals •Secure the long-term ecological health of the region •Create a regional model that connects clean water, abundant wildlife, productive agricultural, and cultural heritage •Recommend how to protect the most sensitive resources during unprecedented growth •Identify benefits and best practices in development in harmony with the natural environment •Facilitate dialogue between city, county, agencies, constituents, and developers Project Schedule Working Group Meetings/Input Who We Are Hearing From What We Have Heard Working Group Partnerships Working Group -Provide project guidance -Sounding board for methods and plan content -Work towards a cohesive goal Gallatin Valley Sensitive Lands Study Area Planning Process Model Approach Geospatial modeling combines analytical procedures to produce maps that provide insights to guide decision-making. Mode l Themes GVSL Model Results These lands contain important wildlife habitat and plant communities that contribute to an intact and diverse Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Keystone species, such as elk and western slope cutthroat, require the healthy and cohesive habitats on these lands. Wildlife relies on the Gallatin Valley for food, reproduction, and critical winter range. Importance of different wildlife species by Gallatin Valley residents’: Deer, elk, moose, and other ungulates (61%) Native fish and aquatic species (57%) Endangered, threatened, or rare species (grizzly bears, Canada lynx, etc.) (35%) GVSL Model Results These working lands provide food and livestock production to maintain the community’s historic economic base. Lands also provide open space that helps maintain the unique sense of place and provides space for wildlife movement and winter wildlife habitat. This land is typically privately owned and public access is limited. Gallatin Valley residents noted the following concerning protecting working farms and ranches: Supporting local food production (71%) Conserving native plants and wildlife habitat -grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas (50%) Supporting local livestock production (49%) GVSL Model Results These lands facilitate ecological interactions and the movement of wildlife to food, shelter reproduction, clean water, and critical winter ranges. Corridors centered around water are often limited in development potential. Residents are concerned with increasing winter range throughout the southern Bozeman Valley and western Bridger Front, protecting the connectivity between wildlife habitats, and maintaining movement and migration corridors throughout the Valley. GVSL Model Results Water systems integrate with all other themes as natural water features (wetlands, riparian areas, lakes, streams, and rivers) provide critical habitat and connectivity for aquatic species and wildlife populations, clean drinking water, and resiliency to natural disasters and climate change. Benefits of protecting water quality by Gallatin Valley Residents: Access to clean drinking water (67%) Wildlife habitat diversity (49%) Native fish populations (38%) Access to water for farm and ranch irrigation (38%) Resiliency to natural disasters and changing climate (ex. Wetland areas can mitigate the impacts of flooding) (38%) GVSL Model Themes and Inputs Development Constraints The green areas represent lands that are less likely to be developed: –Slopes Over 25% –Floodplain –Conservation Easements, Managed Areas, and Protected Areas Development Threats and Pressures Overlays Red areas represent high disturbance Red areas represent approved developments Interactive Map gallatinvalleyplan.bozeman.net Sensitive Lands Protection Tools Overview Preliminary Protection Tools What are the Protection Tools? -A variety of strategies that can be used to protect sensitive lands that were identified in the model results to achieve our collective vision. How will the Protection Tools be used? -Collaboration is key! Implemented by various partners including the County, municipalities, non-profits, and other agencies -Include a variety of implantation strategies (policy updates, education, special projects, etc.) and funding sources. Preliminary Protection Tools Types of Tools Being Reviewed: -Countywide Planning and Land Use Measures (Cluster development, Buffers, Integration of the sensitive lands mapping) -Best Practices (Wildlife friendly signage and fencing, dark skies) -Water Quality Projects (Wetland banking, Floodplain Mapping, septic/sewer) -Staffing and funding Implementation Methods: -Education -Incentives -Programs -Capital Improvements -Land Use Code Updates -Legislative Initiatives -Partnerships Protection Tool Recommendation Example CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT Recommending Plan/Source: County Growth Policy (2021), Protecting Wetlands (2008) Current Use: Yes, County has some districts that allow Overview: Conservation-oriented development, also known as cluster development, refers to a design process where the design of the development is driven through ecological-based planning to conserve the land with the highest resource values and minimize vegetation loss, habitat fragmentation, and increase connectivity…… Case Studies: Missoula, MT Implementation Methods:☒Incentive ▢Education▢Program ☒Code Updates▢Capital ▢Legislative Roles:☒County ☒City ▢Non -profit ☒State/Local Themes Next Steps August –September: Development of Draft Plan with Working Group October: Reviewing and Commenting on the Draft Plan (Virtual Meeting and Online Opportunities to Comment) December: Acceptance Hearings Open Participation: gallatinvalleyplan.bozeman.net Guiding Questions •What are the key considerations for the identified themes as it relates to climate change (e.g., wildlife & biodiversity, connectivity, agricultural heritage, water quality & quantity)? •How should the data and tools be used to inform decisions related to the Bozeman Climate Plan?