Fiscal Note
No impact on cost controls or tax levy. Revenues and expenditures of 17,545.00 will be added to the 2004/05 budgets.
Title
Authorizing the Superintendent of Parks to accept and expend a $17,545.00 Grant from the Madison Community Foundation to support the Yahara River- Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park Wetland Restoration project.
Body
Preamble
The City of Madison Parks Division and its Conservation section manage extensive conservation holdings within the City of Madison, among which include the Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park located along the Yahara River north of Lake Mendota. Records show that a dam was installed at Tenney Park around 1910, which raised the lake level of Lake Mendota 5 feet which caused water to back up into the Yahara River near the confluence of Token Creek. That rise in water levels apparently caused the peat sedge meadows to float up instead maintaining their root systems in place. Over 275 acres of highly diverse wetlands have been lost since 1937, together with an estimated additional 370 acres lost between 1910 and 1937.
Restoration began in 2003 with the development of techniques to establish emergent wetland plants in the Yahara River to create a “vegetated breakwater.” This restoration project involves protecting valuable public owned wetlands in Cherokee Marsh from shoreline erosion. The goal of the Madison Community Foundation Grant is to actively involve members of local conservation organizations and Madison area citizens in hands-on participation in the restoration process and to increase public awareness and support for this project. The funds will be used to purchase 3 expedition canoes that have the capacity to safely carry up to 1,000 lbs. of cargo, including people, supplies, plants, with paddles and safety equipment, to facilitate the Parks Division's restoration work in the shallow water areas of the river. The remaining $11,545 would be used to purchase building materials and wetland...
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