Council approves Softly Farm tree-planting project to meet MS4 nutrient-removal targets

City council approved using a portion of the city-owned Softly Farm for a large-scale tree-planting land-conversion that staff said will yield nutrient-reduction credits for the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit.

Tom Hartman, Public Works director, presented the project: the plan converts roughly 96 acres of pasture and cropland to hardwood tree plantings over five planting seasons (about 30,000 trees total), with 3–4 years of follow-up maintenance and spot replanting for expected 10–15% loss. Staff said the conversion will add roughly 87 pounds per year of phosphorus removal and more than 1,300 pounds per year of nitrogen removal toward the city TMDL obligations; staff estimated the cost-effectiveness at about $1,200 per pound of nitrogen removed (compared with $2,000–$2,500 per pound in other projects). The city will retain a forested buffer and maintain a construction-debris disposal area on the property, and the raw-water pipeline alignment already runs through the parcel.

Council moved and approved the recommendation. Staff said the project will begin contractor procurement in July with staged plantings through 2028 and that quarterly inspection and maintenance will ensure the project delivers the expected credits.