HomeMy WebLinkAboutStory Mill Community Park Public Comment from Ellen Trygstad 3-19-14From:Ellen
To:Agenda
Subject:Story Mill Park Project
Date:Wednesday, March 19, 2014 12:24:45 PM
Hello, The diverse and well-intentioned efforts from all sources to develop the Story Mill Park is truly commendable. A critical piece of review that could easily get lost regarding the urban proximity of the land is the historical fact of the roles that that land, and the land adjacent going all the way up to the M and beyond, has and has had for centuries as a wildlife corridor, water source and habitat location. While this is a challenge for any urban-rural interface, in this case, use decisions are especially important to shape because of the importance of the area for wildlife, especially as a corridor. With increasing human presence, this will have impacts on wildlife. The point to determine is how much is enough, and where is it too much?. So far, the houses in the adjacent areas to the east have left the river corridor intact, though the fields previously used for grazing and resting are greatly reduced. It is my understanding the golf course used to be calving grounds for elk and moose. I saw two moose halfway to the M on the south side just two years ago indicating they remain, somewhere. The Story Hills are open to animals; the water issues in the Springhill area hills and the remaining agricultural fields have kept land open to animals. The creek corridors need careful consideration along and between these areas to not compromise wildlife populations and to not facilitate negative human-wildlife encounters. A thorough and informed wildlife study of the area and one which considers what other similar parks have done elsewhere is an essential part of the park picture. Please be sure that wildlife habitat and corridor expertise, funded or volunteer, is a solid component of the project as it goes forward. Development can be done with restraint, and serve as a win - win for all (even for developers, for it creates a good reputation) if there is enough information, foresight and commitment. This project is an opportunity for the City of Bozeman to demonstrate through restraint, the use of wildlife expertise, and creative and effective design that it understands and respects, through its policy decisions, the huge importance of its urban-rural boundaries. Thank you very much for your efforts regarding this project.
Sincerely, Ellen Trygstad Resident of Gallatin County