HomeMy WebLinkAboutshoreland restoratn report-Miller's Bay
12/28/2009 Oshkosh Sustainability Advisory Board: Please review the attached report, which provides background information for Bill’s presentation on the shoreland restoration project.
We will be discussing this proposal following Bill’s presentation. It is anticipated that we will be voting on this proposal at our February 2010 meeting. Thank you, Justin Mitchell,
Jan Scalpone, Andrew Sabai
DRAFT 12/28/2009 Shoreland Restoration in Miller’s Bay Winnebago County shoreland restoration on Lake Winnebago, Neenah. Planting in year two. (Source: Chad Casper)
I. PROPOSAL The Oshkosh Parks Department is proposing a demonstration shoreland restoration project in Miller’s Bay between the trail and the lake beginning at the base of Ames Point
and extending west and then southwest along the shore approximately 420 feet. Miller’s Bay. Red bar represents initial restoration area. Arrow indicates future expansion. Proposed is
a native vegetative buffer about 35 feet in width. Terrestrial plants will be planted on the shore and aquatic plants at the water’s edge. Bill Sturm, Oshkosh Parks Department, is working
with staff from the Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation Department on the project. The buffer will be planted in spring 2010 with plugs at a cost of approximately $1 a square
foot. The county is providing technical assistance in addition to 70 percent of the cost through its shoreland restoration program. Depending on the success of the project, the Parks
Department anticipates eventually extending the buffer between the trail and the lake along the entire length of the Bay to the moorings in Menominee Park. Within this larger project
will be openings to allow access to the lake. The
timetable and size of the project will depend on available non-municipal funding from grants and private sources The Water Working Group is suggesting including in the larger project
a 2-3 acre parcel where Hazel Street and Menominee Drive merge. This size parcel can offer more plant variety, interesting walking paths and educational signage. It can also provide
an alternative experience in an urban park and demonstrate how local residents can use natives on their own property. Additionally it would provide ample opportunity for schools and
community groups to become involved in shoreland restoration and creation of a natural area. The site is already screened from the street by six large pine trees and numerous deciduous
trees, thereby reducing or eliminating the issue of diminished lake views for nearby house owners. This site is also not conducive to recreational use. It is often extremely wet with
standing water. It is also a highly used by gulls and geese, resulting in the regular presence of bird feces. Miller’s Bay proposed large nature area.
Recent municipal stormwater management initiatives have identified this area as a potential site for the Melvin Street pumping station. This large facility would serve as a pump and
processing facility for area storm water diversion. Proposed plans indicate the building of the facility by June 2010. If this initiative were to occur, the facility could easily be
incorporated into the nature area plans, and could add further incentive for the development of this area as a native shoreland plot. Natural areas of this type are becoming increasingly
common in large urban parks. Winnebago County has incorporated multiple prairies into its Community Park, which can serve as a model for this proposed project. Other nearby natural areas/restored
prairies are located at Paine Gardens, Sheldon Nature Area and Sullivan’s Woods—all somewhat less accessible than Menominee Park. A portion of the parcel at Menominee Drive and Hazel
Street proposed by the Water Working Group for a natural area. II. BACKGROUND Millers Bay is is a 140 acre shallow bay on the west shore of Lake Winnebago surrounded by Menominee Park.
In recent years it has been plagued by nuisance levels of aquatic plants hampering navigation. With funding from the DNR, in 2008 the city contracted with Onterra Ltd. to conduct an
aquatic plant study and recommend a plant management plan. Onterra found the bay to support a dense, low diversity plant community indicative of the disturbed area in which it exists.
Disturbances were attributed to intensive use of motor craft and the surrounding urban environment—mostly maintained as a manicured lawn, with the remainder paved parking lots and trails.
Onterra looked at alternatives to address control of aquatic plants in the navigation channel and recommended purchasing a weed harvester. They also suggested addressing the urban environment
through a shoreland restoration project. Onterra did not present details, but rather advised that this area would benefit from such a project. Similarly, the city’s newly drafted Vision
Plan recommends native vegetative buffers between all waterways and impervious surfaces outside the downtown area. In addition, the Oshkosh Comprehensive Plan states that the city will
work with local units of government and agencies to protect local natural and environmentally sensitive resources such as our water and shoreland (Natural Resource Vision in Comprehensive
Plan, p. 172) III. SHORELAND RESTORATION What is a shoreland restoration project? Shoreland restoration is generally described as creating a natural area to replace manicured lawn to
the shoreline. It is a buffer zone between land and water, serving as a home to a large diversity of plants and animals and protecting water quality. Scientific studies have shown numerous
benefits of shoreland restoration: • Reduces shoreline erosion caused by wind and recreational boat traffic • Acts as a filter strip to prevent sediment, lawn fertilizer, pesticides
and other urban runoff from reaching the lake • Deposits natural debris into water, improving fish habitat • Saves money, time and energy needed for mowing and lawn maintenance • Creates
a biological barrier to deter Canada geese • Provides a seasonal array of colors, textures, aromas and continual wildlife activity
Native plants are recommended for restoration sites. They have extremely deep rosystems effective for stabilizing lake banks and absorbing rain runoff during stormThey are well adapted
ot s. to our climate, requiring no herbicides or pesticides. Once stablished, native plants require little maintenance. Recommended buffers are a be accomplished before breaking ine
existing conditions, prepare a site plan, nd choose plant species. 100,000, offer the most potential for funding this project. Each requires a local share. Technical assistance is also
available. Opportunities for other grants will be explored. A. for . County conservation staff also provide technical assistance in planning, design and supervision of B. n 75% of the
total eminimum of 35 feet. Shoreland restorations are used in a variety of settings. In a park, they generally employ trees, low growing bushes, grasses and forbs, with winding paths.
On thewater’s edge they employ low-growing native terrestrial and aquatic plants. UW-Extension recommends five tasks that need to ground: review shoreland regulations, examdetermine
site type a IV. GRANTS In our area, two grant programs, one offering a maximum of $20,000 and the other $Winnebago County Land and Water Conservation Department. Bill Sturm has already
sought assistance from this program. For vegetative buffers, Winnebago County LWCD provides cost sharing of up to 70 %eligible projects. Maximum amount is $20,000project installation.
The program is ongoing. Wisconsin DNR. This might be the chief funding source for the larger project. The Wisconsin DNR offers grants for shoreline habitat restoration. Maximum grant
amount is $100,000. Grants are based o
eli ount. Next grant sessment, • • onal materials, mailing and ation. • onitoring in order to measure success in achieving the • ut activities identified in the grant • Other costs determined
by the DNR necessary to carry out a successful to submit partial payment reimbursement requests accompanied by a progress report during the project. (The DNR also offers small scale
planning grants of $3000 for which this project might be eligible: 8/1/09) gible project costs not to exceed the maximum grant amcycle is due May, 2010. Eligible project costs include:
• Development of plans, specifications and environmental asincluding pre-and post-engineering and design costs. Construction, earth moving, or structure removal costs. • Native plant
stock or seeds for re-establishing vegetation. Public meetings and education and promotisimilar costs related to the distribution of information about restorNecessary mecologic function
of restoration activities. Labor costs required to carry oagreement. shoreline habitat restoration. • Water regulatory permits required for the project. Restoration sites must meet minimum
dimensional standards and other requirements as specified in s. NR 191.24(3) for cost-sharing restoration work (35 foot buffer minimum). Cost sharing for technical assistance and design
assistance is eligible for any site. Costs not eligible include the costs of environmental clean up, stairs, walkways, or piers. It is not possible to request an advance payment in this
project category. However, it is possible
V. ISSUES Area residents are accustomed to manicured lawns in parks and to the waters edge. They have limited knowledge of natural shorelines, including the benefits and appearance of
native, restored shorelines. Mention of a shoreland project during a Sustain nominee Drive resident. Disc or need fo • • n that change has bad effects. Menominee Park area residents
lds and conducted a long g the shoreline generated multiple phone calls to the Parks • fers are unkempt and messy. y reduce property values. se od ew ject Successful projects often promote
the ability of a buffer to thwart geese, provide ability Board meeting generated an irate call from a Meussion with one Council member indicated a lack of knowledge about the value r
a shoreland restoration project. Among concerns are: The perception that all portions of land adjacent to Miller’s Bay are used frequently by area residents for recreational purposes;
The perceptioobjected to increased use of the bay area as soccer fiefight in opposition to the recently installed fishing pier. Previous mention of natural areas alonDepartment. The
perception that buf• The perception that buffers interfere with views of the lake and thereb• The perception that nothing can improve water quality because it is caused by waterfowl
droppings. • The feeling that public funds should be spent on more urgent needs. These issues are generally addressed through education, demonstration projects, and uof grants and donations
to cover costs. The proposed demonstration project near Ames Point is in a section of the Bay highly used by pedestrians, so it should have govisibility. Also, numerous trees have already
been planted in the vicinity, so no viwill be blocked. With appropriate signage and maintenance, it is anticipated this site will not stir up much controversy. The site will serve as
a nursery for the larger prothat will progress along the Bay as non-municipal funding becomes available.
educational aspects for a conservation curriculum, and offer numerous opportunities fthe community to become involved. With two public schools nearby, a University or lready looking
at restoring its shoreline, a community with the largest number of onservation groups in the state, and a city planning for increased sustainability, it is nticipated this project will
be able to overcome many of the negative perceptions. Fo • uss restoration project scope and determine its role (9-3-09). County olitical and • ssist Parks Department in planning for
the educational, n e s progress; begins implementation of education plan. acaVI. PROPOSED ACTION PLAN llowing is a proposed timeline for actions: September 2009 -Water Working Group
met with Bill Sturm, Acting Parks Director, on site to discThe Parks Department will address the technical component with Winnebago LWCD staff; the Water Working Group will assist with
educational, pfunding components. • Early Winter, 2010 – Bill Sturm and Water Working Group will present the proposed restoration project to the Sustainability Advisory Board for recommendation
to Parks Advisory Board. Winter 2010 – Parks Department will work with a consultant to expand Onterra’s work by developing a vegetation management plan for Miller’s Bay to include restoration
of the entire shoreline and aquatic plant control. At the same time they will work with county staff to complete preliminary site design for demonstration project between the trail and
Lake Winnebago from Ames Point 420 feet south. Water Working Group will apolitical and funding component of the larger project. (If Melvin Street pump statiois to be built in summer,
2010, planning would begin for the 2/3 acre Menomine/Hazel parcel adjacent to it) • Spring, Summer 2010 – Parks Department with technical and funding assistance from Winnebago LWCD installs
demonstration project. Water Working Group monitor
• Summer 2010 – Parks Department staff and Water Working Group meet withto review grant potential for larger project, including the 2/3 acre Menominee/Hazeparcel. Summer 2010 through
Fall 2011 – Water working group works with Pa DNR l • rks • on DNR grant application and matching for chool groups and continues with education program.. Spring/Summer 2011 – Depending
on funding availability, Parks Department initiates installation of larger project, including 2/3 acre Menominee/Hazel parcel. II. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION he following sites provide detailed
information concerning shoreland restoration, cluding the benefits, the recommended procedures, and existing funding sources. ww.uwex.edu/ces/shoreland Department on community education
campaign as needed. May include a Councilworkshop, project brochure, neighborhood/public meetings, media coverage, tours ofdemonstration area, outreach to community and University groups,
etc. Winter 2011 – Parks Department works funds, for May 1, 2011 submission. Water Working Working Group solicits commitments match, labor and other help from service, conservation,
garden and s•VTin wwww.wclwed.org/wqip.htm http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/restoration.htm