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Granting approval to submit a grant for 2012 Special Project and Grant Program funds administered by the Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) for the Hidden Falls Regional Park Water Resource Development Feasibility Study.
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WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is committed to a sustainable future including cleaner air, soil, water, habitat, and other natural resources; and
WHEREAS, the City supports, and will continue to support, collaboration with the CRWD and other agencies and groups to provide resources for increasing water quality and for providing a cleaner environment throughout the city; and
WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act, administered by the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, mandates improvements in water quality; and
WHEREAS, the CRWD has solicited grant applications for its 2012 Special Project and Grant Program fund, to which it has allocated $200,000 for projects that will a) improve water quality by decreasing stormwater runoff and increasing pollutant removal, b) preserve and protect plant and wildlife communities adjacent to lakes, rivers, and wetlands, c) establish links between people and water resources through education, and d) provide demonstration projects for innovative management practices; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department has determined that the following project is appropriate for these funds:
ยง Hidden Falls Regional Park Water Resource Development Feasibility Study: The scheduled closure of the Ford Plant in the southwest corner of the city has created an opportunity for an engineering study to assess and provide recommendations for water flow over Hidden Falls and through Hidden Falls Regional Park from a future redeveloped plant site that incorporates water quality Best Management Practices; and also provides recommendations for a both an aesthetically pleasing restored falls and stream corridor, as well as potential secondary water quality treatment benefits in the park; and
WHEREAS, the CRWD may be interested in participating in the design of these projects, possible future support of implementation, monitoring, sharing data on the effectiveness of the techniques developed, and public education efforts regarding each project; and
WHEREAS, Hidden Falls has been seriously eroded with attempts at reinforcement that have left an unnatural appearance in contrast to the original historic look and character, and there are continuing erosion issues to the stream channel and bluff; and
WHEREAS, the funds would be disbursed to Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Department projects on a reimbursement for work completed basis, as follows:
Hidden Falls Regional Park Water Resource Development Feasibility Study from the 2012 Capitol Region Watershed District in the amount of $60,000;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Council of the City of Saint Paul, that support is hereby granted for the Park and Recreation Department's application to the Capitol Region Watershed District's 2012 Special Project and Grant Program, and to apply for grants to other agencies and groups as needed for any additional amounts required; and if funds are granted, accept the funds, and enter into grant agreements executed by the proper City of Saint Paul authorities in compliance with all applicable laws, and staff is authorized to apply for reimbursement from the grant funds approved for the project herein.