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Blaine staff schedule controlled burn, targeted herbicide trials at Wetland Sanctuary
Summary
City staff told the Natural Resource Conservation Board a contractor is scheduled for a controlled burn at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary within days; staff plans small, targeted herbicide trials and contractor-led invasive-species removals while seeking grant funding and public input on buffers and trail connections.
City staff reported at the Natural Resource Conservation Board meeting on June 16 that contractors are scheduled to conduct a controlled burn at the Blaine Wetland Sanctuary within the coming week and that the city will follow the burn with spring monitoring to assess vegetation response.
"We do have a contractor, on contract to conduct a controlled burn, hopefully within the next week," said Megan, city staff in the planning/engineering group, describing sequencing for monitoring and the use of ISG’s spring surveys to track how reed canary grass and other vegetation respond. Staff said they will limit chemical treatments to "very small sample zones" to test responses rather than pursue wide-scale herbicide application immediately.
Staff told the board it has solicited contractor quotes for mechanical removal of thistle and buckthorn and has reached out to volunteer groups with limited success. "It's a really big undertaking...so if you hear of any really adventurous, and dedicated volunteer groups, I'm happy to talk to them about the project," Megan said, adding that the city will weigh environmental and financial costs before expanding interventions.
Board members pressed staff to consider buffers where new development abuts the sanctuary. "I would ask that staff consider that, when they're looking at development north of our boundary, that's pretty close to the most valuable land we have," said Board member Tushon, urging vegetative buffers along the northern edge. Staff displayed aerials and described current approved development concepts as leaving a significant buffer from established open space, but noted future alignments such as the planned extension of Lakes Parkway could change proximity.
On funding, staff said the city applied for DNR legacy funds but was not included in the recent round of recommended projects; staff is preparing a separate Met Council grant application due in mid-June. "We completed an application to the DNR… our project was not included on that," Megan said, adding that the team will seek feedback from grant staff and reapply next year while pursuing other grant opportunities.
Staff emphasized monitoring will guide any next steps. If the burn and small-scale herbicide tests yield strong responses, the city will evaluate the cost‑benefit of broader interventions. The board asked staff to share public notices and updates with the community once the burn and monitoring schedule are finalized and to return with monitoring results and grant outcomes at future meetings.
Next steps: staff will proceed with the controlled burn when weather permits, begin ISG spring monitoring afterward, continue contractor outreach for invasive-species removal, and pursue the Met Council grant opportunity while seeking DNR feedback for future rounds.
