TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Approval to seek a grant for Minto Island Conservation Area Phase 3 Restoration.
Ward(s): Ward 7
Councilor(s): Councilor Cook
Neighborhood(s): South West Association of Neighbors
Result Area(s): Natural Environment Stewardship
end
ISSUE:
Shall Council authorize the City Manager to apply for and, if successful, accept a Willamette Mainstem Anchor Habitat Investment Restoration Grant for the purpose of restoring native floodplain forested areas in the Minto Island Conservation Area?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to apply for and, if successful, accept a Willamette Mainstem Anchor Habitat Investments Restoration Grant for the purpose of restoring native floodplain forested areas in the Minto Island Conservation Area.
body
SUMMARY:
This is the third phase of an ongoing project designed to restore and enhance the Minto Island Conservation Area. The proposed Phase 3 of this project will focus on the west side forested floodplain in the Minto Island Conservation Area (see Attachment 1). The goal of this phase of the project is to expand and improve the health of the forested floodplain by reducing invasive species, such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and reed canary grass. Areas will then be replanted with native species, thereby increasing the diversity of the forest understory.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
The Willamette Mainstem Anchor Habitat Investments program is specifically intended for projects along the Willamette River mainstem and within designated “anchor habitats” such as Minto Brown Island Park. Anchor habitats are key sections of the Willamette River identified as critical for river health and fish and wildlife habitat.
Funding for projects on the Willamette River, including technical assistance and restoration projects, is available from Meyer Memorial Trust and Bonneville Power Administration.
1. The Minto Island Conservation Area is within one of the identified anchor habitats along the Willamette River. The proposal to restore native floodplain forest along the western edge of the Conservation Area meets the grant requirements.
2. A grant pre-application for the project has been accepted and the City is invited to submit a full grant proposal.
3. The City will request $322,772 in grant funds for the project, with a total project cost of $375,682. There is no match requirement; however, the City is proposing a 14.1 percent in-kind match with staff time for project management and grant administration.
4. The full proposal is due August 16, 2019. Funding decisions will be made in October 2019. Funding will cover four years of restoration work.
BACKGROUND:
The proposed grant will continue to augment restoration efforts at the Minto Island Conservation Area. The 307-acre Minto Island Conservation Area was acquired by the City in 2013 with Willamette Wildlife Mitigation Program funds. A Minto Island Conservation Area Management and Conservation Plan was developed for this section of the park with funding through a Willamette Special Investment Partnership grant. Phase 1 restoration was funded with a grant from Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board in 2015 and focused on the east side forested floodplain restoration and planting along the paved trail. Phase 2 restoration is beginning in summer 2019 and is focused on reducing invasive aquatic weeds in Willamette Slough. Phase 3 restoration work will continue to improve this important habitat in the City of Salem.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachment:
1. Minto Brown Island Restoration Project Phase 3