1 Clark Street Beach Bird Habitat Restoration ~ City of Evanston

Clark Street Beach Bird Habitat Restoration ~ City of Evanston
Public Meeting 1 - Notes
April 8th 2015 – John Evans Alumni Center, Northwestern University
ATTENDEES Stefanie Levine, Bob Dorneker, Paul D’Agostino, (Client) City of Evanston CE David Lawrie, Ryan Kettelkamp (Landscape Architect) Kettelkamp & Kettelkamp KKLA Robert Sliwinski (Environmental Consultant) Christopher B. Burke Engineering CBBE Judy Pollock (Bird Conservationist) JP Public Public Meeting CE/KKLA/CBBE/JP carried out a site walk with Public to review current site conditions. Questions Arising from Walk: 
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Will there be a barrier around the proposed habitat area? (Yes) Will the volleyball nets be removed? (No, relocated south) Will there be interpretive signage? (No funding) Will there be dog access? (No, existing dog beach to south) Existing Elm tree has green spray dot? (It is being treated for Dutch Elm Disease) Will habitat be added west of jogging path? (No, it will keep to east of path no closer than 5’) Are the grape vines to be removed? (though offering food and shelter, they will be removed to help establishment of new plantings) The original Lakefront Masterplan showed a great lawn, is this still proposed? The great lawn shown in the Lakefront Master Plan is not part of this project. The Master Plan indicates it should be installed at the south end of Clark Street Beach, just north of the breakwater. Existing Dead Ash (They must be removed due to public safety concerns) Where is Property Line between Evanston & Northwestern (Pointed out in field just south of visitor center) Could low area in remnant be a permanent water feature? (NU drainage considered, close water table, clay amendment) – Standing water never seen here for years KKLA/CBBE/JP presented the pre‐existing & current and proposed strategy to restore an area of bird habitat. 1
Questions Arising from Presentation: 
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Will the pole mounted beach flood lights affect birds? The light is used in summer evenings for beach volleyball. It should not affect birds during typical migration. What would public involvement be? Due to limited funds, very little money is available for maintenance; using volunteers is critical. Need links to local groups with dedicated manpower. When will public involvement commence? Upon completion of installing contract obligations (Fall ’15). What maintenance guidelines will be provided to volunteers? Though not part of project scope KKLA will prepare ongoing management strategy in calendar form for direction of maintenance. How will ‘Willful damage’ be addressed? Both intentional and unintentional? Using fencing, possible signage with ‘Keep Out – Sensitive Habitat’ – Heightened police surveillance. Planting to assure clear views into areas. Thorny plant material. What type of fencing is proposed? Roll beach wood pale fencing works well due to low cost, easy to erect, maintain. City staff are familiar with it. How will rabbit damage be abated? With experience from USDA wildlife controls the perimeter fence as first line of defense with local wire mesh fencing for planted groupings is effective. Use of fox and coyote urine will be investigated. Falconry has been used at open grassland near airports; but more closed vegetation less suitable. Public/Educational component to project? If funds available: Exploring Handouts of seasonal occurrences (similar to kiosk at Perkins Wood). Seasonal tours. Corporate Work Days e.g. CBBI has 30‐50 employees do clearing work. Will monitoring be carried out after installation? Yes, CBBI will carry our flora & fauna survey to ascertain what is using habitat. Are trees being preserved? Yes, only removing dead ash due to public safety, and select cottonwood to allow for successional growth of new plantings. Will plantings be designed to attract butterflies? Not directly, if butterflies come it will be a secondary benefit. E.g. planting more Milkweed to supplement existing already seen there to attract Monarchs. Northwestern plant list for the Visitor Center has milkweed species (Asclepias ssp.) Fencing needs to be looked at closely: experience at Montrose beach habitat (Magic Hedge): homeless have taken up residence in summer months, trampling of vegetation has occurred. Overnight security to be addressed. Nesting birds to be considered too: Up to 20 species of birds have nested in the habitat in the past. 9 ssp repeatedly for4‐5 years. Can donated plant material be used for installation by contractor? Yes, stipulated in contract to use donated material if that becomes part of the plan. Could the Ecology Center’s arboretum tours be expanded to include the beach habitat? CE will explore this possibility. Could the project be renamed to be more appealing to wider crowd? “Clark Street Bird Sanctuary”. Unanimous yea vote in Public meeting. Could a pamphlet be prepared for education, promotion? Similar to Perkins Woods kiosk, posted online in web/blog. On‐site posted information gives the appearance that the area is being cared for. 2
Follow‐up: 
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Public Comments noted during this meeting. Further venues for public input: Evanston website and posted E‐news sent to attendees plus further 23k Evanstonians. City Library will have board display with comment box available. Next Meeting: Early May. Need Alderman coordinated schedule. DISTRIBUTION (via email) Stefanie Levine, City of Evanston CE Ryan Kettelkamp, Kettelkamp & Kettelkamp KKLA Robert Sliwinski, Christopher B. Burke Engineering CBBE Judy Pollock JP 3