2023.10.10 WS Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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19 3. Mitigate climate impacts and improve water quality The natural environment is an essential element of community life and protecting such an environment is vital to the success of New Brighton. Wetlands, lakes, streams, trees, and other vegetative cover all play an important role in habitat and flood protection. Many natural features function as filtration systems to help clean rainwater runoff, which eventually becomes our drinking water. In addition to providing cleaner water, natural features help purify the air and define the character of the community. Each Living Street project will consider water quality and quantity improvements as space allows. Reducing pavement width will reduce runoff volume and heat island effects of dark surfaces. Boulevard trees and plantings should be considered to provide habitat, environmental and aesthetic improvements. Street (Boulevard) Trees New Brighton has been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for 41 consecutive years (as of 2023). Trees beautify our surroundings, shade our parks and residences, increase property values and enhance the economic vitality of business areas. Minnesota is at risk to lose over one billion ash trees due to emerald ash borer, potentially increasing C02 emissions and flooding. A healthy tree canopy decreases temperatures along streets providing cooler spaces in the summertime for recreation and commerce. Approximately three‐quarters of Minnesotans get their drinking water from the forested parts of the state. Trees reduce stormwater runoff and act as a filter, preventing sediments and pollutants from washing into waterways, and trees capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it in their trunks, roots, and soil. This policy provides for the planting of new boulevard trees, owned by City, or preservation of existing trees as much as possible. Draft