Consider Converting the Oak Savanna Area of Landfill from Restricted to Passive, Public Use

Following the decades of the 'Anoka' landfill receiving waste from garbage haulers around the Anoka County area, the 'dump' was closed in the 1990's under an agreement between Waste Management Inc. and the City of Ramsey. The landfill was subsequently declared a Superfund Site, and the ownership transferred to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA)—with the responsibility of capping the landfill to prevent infiltration of water.  Additionally, water wells were drilled around the perimeter of the site for both monitoring, and also to remove the pollutants that had already made their way into the groundwater.

The contaminated groundwater is primarily contained to the area under the land owned by MPCA. The landfill will need to be managed for near-perpetuity to maintain the systems that prevent or limit pollution.  This management plan is entitled the Closed Landfill Use Plan, Anoka-Ramsey Landfill and is the second attachment.  The first attachment is entitled Open Space Area, and is the subject of this case.

A unique feature of the land owned by the MPCA is the Oak Savanna area in the southwest portion of MPCA's holding that is most visible from the intersections of Bunker Lake Boulevard and Sunwood Drive.  Under the Closed Landfill Use Plan, Anoka-Ramsey Landfill, MPCA has determined that passive, public use of the Oak Savanna area would be consistent with the Closed Landfill Restrictions, and not be detrimental to the MPCA charge of 'protecting public health and safety'.

While MPCA will not sell or bequeath the Oak Savanna to the city, they will lease the site with certain conditions.  The first step in considering this, is to ascertain the Park and Recreation Commission's position on the value to the public this site may have as unique open space, and for certain passive uses to be determined—and thus the purpose of this case.


 

No funding is required at this time.

Staff recommends that the Commission recommend that City Council direct Staff to explore options and partnerships in obtaining a 'lease' for the Oak Savanna site, and develop a long-term plan for its management as a unique and valuable natural resource in the community.

Motion to recommend/not recommend that City Council direct Staff to explore options and partnerships for allowing public access of the Oak Savanna site, and develop a long-term plan for its management as a unique and valuable natural resource in the community.