Miesville Ravine Park Reserve Long-Range Plan

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited agrees with the assertion that, “Trout Brook’s water quality is affected by land uses throughout the watershed,” and much of this land currently lies outside of park boundaries. Therefore, we strongly support permanent acquisition of agricultural lands upstream of Trout Brook and along its tributaries with the goal of returning these sensitive areas to perennial vegetation. We believe staff time and funding that is put toward targeted land protection efforts is well spent because clean water is critical to the long-term health of the Trout Brook ecosystem.

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited is interested in being a partner on water quality solutions, perhaps through public outreach/communications, by providing letters of support for funding proposals, or other efforts that might be helpful. We encourage Dakota County Parks Natural Resources to continue working with Dakota County SWCD, the North Cannon River Watershed Management Organization and other partners to work on nitrate reduction projects in the watershed. This includes implementing land-use best practices (cover crops, perennial crops and vegetated buffers) as well as considering innovative solutions like woodchip bioreactors.

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited agrees the park reserve would benefit from invasive species removal (primarily buckthorn), and we have many chapter volunteers who would be interested in helping with this work through habitat improvement events.

Twin Cities Trout Unlimited suggests this bullet be adjusted as follows, “Restore natural hydrology and habitat to the Trout Brook channel and floodplain and tributaries, via stream restoration projects, landscape-level management practices and partnerships.” We feel stream restoration should be specifically called out here.

please work to protect the precious cold water resources of Trout Brook as you develop your plan

I think it would be a great addition if the natural surface trails were multi use and allow bicycles. A great example of this is the river bend nature center in fairbault, Mn.

My Name is Sam Smith and I'm a member of the Twin Cities Chapter of Trout Unlimited. This is an important resource for the region and I am grateful for the steps being taken to preserve Trout Brook for future generations.

I first would like to mention that I am happy to see that this land and habitat has been preserved and restored and is continuing to be. But when I hear that the park reserve “A nature reserve (also known as a wildlife refuge, wildlife sanctuary, biosphere reserve or bioreserve, natural or nature preserve, or nature conservation area)” Is going to make it easier for people to penetrate, access this area it is no longer a safe haven for wildlife which was the intention of this park. Whatever the reasons are to put in all these trails, well intended as they may be, it will surely take away the whole intention of the park’s purpose. There are very few places to go anymore where man has not touched and taking away another is truly unfortunate. Parks that are hard to access difficult to navigate should be kept just as that. Making things easier is not always better especially when it comes to preserving an area intended for wildlife not for people. I realize that this is going to fall on deaf ears because this will happen no matter what I feel. I just really hope the people that are pushing for this realize the impact this will definitely have on the wildlife that calls this area home. Keep our wild places WILD! Sincerely Jim Caturia