Title:
Invasive Species Funding (Park and Recreation)
Summary
ACTION:
Approve the release of invasive species removal funding from restricted contingency
Staff Contact: W. Lee. Jones, Director of Park and Recreation
Chris Matthews, Division Director of Nature Preserves and Natural Resources
Presentation: Yes
BACKGROUND/JUSTIFICATION:
A public request was made to the BOCC for funding to address the removal of invasive species from park property. The FY 2019 Budget included one-time funding of $200,000 in restricted contingency, to address the removal of invasive species. The restricted contingency requires the BOCC approval of Park and Recreation's plan for invasive species control, prior to this funding being made available. Park and Recreation proposes that $20,000 be allocated to Park and Recreation for equipment and supplies and $180,000 be allocated to contractor(s) for parkland treatment, with Park and Recreation oversight and management.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is responsible for managing natural communities and restoring degraded communities to diverse and functional ecological systems. Included in this is the removal and control of non-native, invasive species from park properties. This funding is for removal of harmful species, to reduce species that have thrived under intensive agricultural/horticultural practices, increase sunlight to the forest floor, and shift the composition of species to a more natural structure for increased parkland health, resilience and native ecological diversity. The demonstration projects include Sugaw Creek Community Park, Iswa Nature Preserve and Four-Mile Creek Greenway - Bevington.
PROCUREMENT BACKGROUND:
N/A
POLICY IMPACT:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funds are available within the FY2019 Adopted Budget, contingent upon BOCC approval of the plan.