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HomeMy WebLinkAbout213-16 RESOLUTION{ X:fAtfr,r, 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Resolution: 213-16 File Number: 2016-0556 GROUND -CHERRY CREEK: A RESOLUTION TO NAME THE UNNAMED TRIBUTARY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF KESSLER MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK "GROUND -CHERRY CREEK" WHEREAS, the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, the Beaver Water District and the Beaver Watershed Alliance recently restored 2,000 feet of an un -named tributary that flows through the new Kessler Mountain Regional Park; and WHEREAS, a contest judged by staff members of the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, the Beaver Watershed Alliance, the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department, and the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust was held to propose a name for the tributary which eventually flows to Cato Springs Branch; and WHEREAS, Leif Olson proposed the name "Ground -cherry Creek" based on the 2014 discovery of the Missouri ground -cherry, a rare native species which had not been documented in this area since 1934, on Kessler Mountain during a rapid ecological assessment conducted by Theo Witsell, a botanist and ecologist with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission; and WHEREAS, Mr. Olson's proposal reflects the City's commitment to protecting native Ozark plant and animal habitats and educating the public about invasive plants that can damage these native habitats. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the un -named tributary shown on the map attached to this Resolution that flows through the Kessler Mountain Regional Park into Cato Springs Branch "Ground -cherry Creek" and thanks Leif Olson for his excellent proposal. Page 1 Printed on 1217116 Resolution: 213-16 File Number: 2016-0556 PASSED and APPROVED on 12/6/2016 Attest: Sondra E. Smith, City�� �7• f'�f 11 1 1J t 111 Page 2 Printed on 1217116 City of Fayetteville, Arkansas 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR 72701 (479) 575-8323 Text File File Number: 2016-0556 Agenda Date: 12/6/2016 Version: 1 Status: Passed In Control: City Council Meeting Agenda Number: A. 8 GROUND -CHERRY CREEK: File Type: Resolution A RESOLUTION TO NAME THE UNNAMED TRIBUTARY ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF KESSLER MOUNTAIN REGIONAL PARK "GROUND -CHERRY CREEK" WHEREAS, the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, the Beaver Water District and the Beaver Watershed Alliance recently restored 2,000 feet of an un -named tributary that flows through the new Kessler Mountain Regional Park; and WHEREAS, a contest judged by staff members of the Watershed Conservation Resource Center, the Beaver Watershed Alliance, the City of Fayetteville Parks and Recreation Department, and the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust was held to propose a name for the tributary which' eventually flows to Cato Springs Branch; and WHEREAS, Leif Olson proposed the name "Ground -cherry Creek" based on the 2014 discovery of the Missouri ground -cherry, a rare native species which had not been documented in this area since 1934, on Kessler Mountain during a rapid ecological assessment conducted by Theo Witsell, a botanist and ecologist with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission; and WHEREAS, Mr. Olson's proposal reflects the City's commitment to protecting native Ozark plant and animal habitats and educating the public about invasive plants that can damage these native habitats. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS: Section 1. That the City Council of the City of Fayetteville, Arkansas hereby names the un -named tributary shown on the map attached to this Resolution that flows through the Kessler Mountain Regional Park into Cato Springs Branch "Ground -cherry Creek" and thanks Leif Olson for his excellent proposal. City of Fayetteville, Arkansas Page 1 Printed on 121712016 Alison Jumper Submitted By City of Fayetteville Staff Review Form 2016.0556 _egistar File lid .22 City Council Meeting Date - Agenda Item Only N/A for Non -Agenda Item 11/16/2016 Parks & Recreation / Parks & Recreation Department Submitted Date Division / Department Action Recommendation: Staff recommends naming the unnamed tributary on the south side of Kessler Mountain Regional Park 'Ground - cherry Creek'. Account Number Project Number Budgeted Item? NA Does item have a cost? NA Budget Adjustment Attached? NA Budget Impact: Current Budget Funds Obligated Current Balance Item Cost Budget Adjustment Fund Project Title i Remaining Budget V20140710 Previous Ordinance or Resolution # Original Contract Number: Comments: Approval Date; CITY OF 7ay% 711c ARKANSAS MEETING OF DECEMBER 6,2016 TO: Mayor Lioneld Jordan City Council CITY COUNCIL AGENDA MEMO THRU: Don Marr, Chief of Staff Connie Edmonston, Parks and Recreation Director FROM: Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent DATE: November .15, 2016 SUBJECT: Naming of Unnamed Tributary at Kessler Mountain Regional Park RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends naming the unnamed tributary on the south side of Kessler Mountain Regional Park `Ground -cherry Creek'. BACKGROUND: The Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, Beaver Water District, and Beaver Watershed Alliance recently restored,2000 feet of an un -named tributary that flows through the new Kessler Mountain Regional Park. A naming contest was advertised to propose a name for the un -named tributary which eventually flows to Cato Springs Branch, just west of the University of Arkansas and 1- 49. Proposed names were to emphasize the local history of the area, be supported by research and evidence, be significant and relevant to the areas adjacent to the tributary, and consider the following: 1) Local historical context, 2) Local cultural significance, 3) Connections to natural features. Teams were asked to submit an essay up to two pages presenting their proposed name for the tributary and the evidence that supported their proposed name including references. Beaver Watershed Alliance and the WCRC sponsored the contest and judged the submissions along with the City of Fayetteville, Parks and Recreation and the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. The name selected based on an essay written by Leif Olson was "Ground -cherry Creek." The naming proposal was presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board on November 7, 2016. The Board made a unanimous recommendation to forward approval of the name to City Council. Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 DISCUSSION: Eight submittals were received for the competition. The winning name, Ground -cherry Creek, was predicated on the discovery of the Missouri ground -cherry on Kessler Mountain during a rapid ecological assessment conducted by Theo Witsell in 2014. This was one of several rare plant and animal species found on the site. According to the study, the Missouri ground -cherry has not been documented in the area since 1934. If approved, the naming proposal will be submitted to the United States Board on Geographic Names for approval. BUDGET/STAFF IMPACT: None. Attachments: Winning Submittal November 7 PRAB Minutes Location Map Kessler Mountain Stream Naming Dear BWA and WCRC staff, I would propose the name "Ground -cherry Creek" for the unnamed creek located on Kessler Mountain. The Fayetteville Natural Heritage Association (FNHA) contracted with the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC) to conduct a rapid ecological assessment of the Kessler Mountain Reserve. Theo Witsell a Botanist and Ecologist with the ANHC inventoried data on six different trips to Kessler Mountain between April and October of 2014. The inventory documented 11 natural habitats and 544 plant species in the area. Five habitats were identified as being especially ecologically significant to the site. In all, nine rare plant and animal species were identified, two of which are considered to be of global concern. The Ecological Assessment goes on to state: "Prior to its rediscovery at Kessler Mountain in 2014, Missouri ground -cherry (Fig. 31) was known in Arkansas from just a handful of collections made between 1923 and 1953 in five Ozark region counties: Benton, Carroll, Fulton, Newton, and Washington (ANHC 2015; Gentry et al. 2013). One of these historical specimens was collected from "Kessler Mountain, Washington County" by W. Giles on October 6, 1934 but was not documented from that area of the state again until the present study, 80 years later. Arkansas isn't the only state where Missouri ground -cherry seems to have gone missing either. George Yatskievych, director of the Flora of Missouri Project, reports that only two of the Missouri records for the species are from after 1960 (G. Yatskievych, pers. comm.). Missouri is the center of the species' narrow range, which also includes northern Arkansas, part of eastern Kansas, two counties each in Oklahoma and Nebraska, and one county in Texas. Dr. Yatskievych also says that the species is "known almost entirely from historical collections across its range, which is troubling". The cause of this apparent decline is unclear but much of the appropriate habitat for Missouri ground -cherry (areas of loose soil and rock (talus) at the base of calcareous bluffs) at Kessler Mountain has been choked out by two species of non-native invasive shrubs: bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii*) and perfumed cherry (Prunus mahaleb*). Encroachment by these and other invasive species in bluff and talus habitat is having a negative impact on native species across the Ozarks and may play a role in the scarcity of Missouri ground -cherry, at least in some areas." The City of Fayetteville has shown that it is committed to addressing issues related to invasive plants that can damage native habitats with its' recently adopted an Invasive Plant Species Ordinance that prohibits the planting of eighteen identified invasive plants in new developments. Additionally, the City has created education materials for the public that allow residents to identify, eradicate and replace invasive plants with native plants. These materials can be found here: htt www.fayetteville- ar.gov/3028/Inva_sive-Plants-and-Native-Alternatives In closing, I think that finding a globally rare plant on Kessler Mountain is pretty amazing. The fact that invasive plants are altering our distinct Ozark habitats, and that native plants are disappearing, is very concerning. Naming this tributary Ground -cherry Creek would celebrate the specialness of this place while educating the public on the fragility of native Ozark plant and animal habitats. Thank you for your consideration. Leif Olson floatarkansas2gmail.com CITY OF Fay% -Ile ARKANSAS Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Meeting November 7, 2016 at 5:30 p.m. City Administration Building Room 326 113 West Mountain Street Fayetteville, AR Members: Richie Lamb, David Priest, Wade Colwell, Terry Lawson, Chuck Maxwell, Kyle McHan, Phillip McKnight, David Proffitt, JL Jennings City Staff: Connie Edmonston, Director; Byron Humphry, Maintenance Superintendent; Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent; Chanel Pennington, Operations Assistant, Ken Eastin, Park Planner; John Crow, Recreation Superintendent; Matt Mihalevich, Trail Coordinator AGENDA for 5:30 pm: MINUTES 4. Stream Naming Proposal- Alison Jumper, Park Planning Superintendent The Watershed Conservation Resource Center (WCRC) in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, Beaver Water District, and Beaver Watershed Alliance recently restored 2000 feet of an un -named tributary that flows through the new Kessler Mountain Regional Park. A naming contest was advertised to propose a name for the un -named tributary which eventually flows to Cato Springs Branch, just west of the University of Arkansas and 1- 49. Proposed names were to emphasize the local history of the area, be supported by research and evidence, be significant and relevant to the areas adjacent to the tributary, and consider the following.- 1) ollowing: 1) Local historical context, 2) Local cultural significance, 3) Connections to natural features. Teams were asked to submit an essay up to two pages presenting their proposed name for the tributary and the evidence that supported their proposed name including references. Beaver Watershed Alliance and the WCRC sponsored the contest and judged the submissions along with the City of Fayetteville, Parks and Recreation and the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust. The name selected was "Ground Cherry Creek." Mailing Address: 113 W. Mountain Street www.fayetteville-ar.gov Fayetteville, AR 72701 Staff Recommendation: Approval of naming the southern stream "Ground Cherry Creek" based on the background provided. Final approval of this naming request will be City Council. Sandi Formica with the Watershed Conservation Resource Center was present and offered to take the members of the Board on a tour of the stream Formica also gave a brief background on the significance of the Ground Cherry. John Pennington with the Beaver Watershed Alliance was also present. He added that Leif Olson submitted the winning entry. Formica added there will be informational panels about the Ground Cherry near the creek. She has also proposed a formal ribbon cutting ceremony. PRAB Motion: Lamb motioned to accept, Maxwell seconded the motion. Motion passed, 6-0-0. Adjourn Lamb adjourned the meeting at 6:25 PM. Custer 9 r. • .w rti are ,fv, ' n•'y z. •yam _ .. 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