lutp_draft_10_12_10

Transportation and Land Use Plan for the Red Lake ReservationWorking Draft Submitted by the Economic Development Department June 2009

Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians June 2009

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

I. Background 5A. History 5 B. Population and Housing Characteristics 6 C. Economic Characteristics 10

II. Land Use Plan 14A. Inventory 16B. Land Use Analysis 31C. Future Land Use Plan 44

III. Transportation 64A. Inventory 65B. Transportation Analysis 80C. Future Transportation Plan 88

Appendices 94Reservation Entrance Highway 89

Transportation and Land Use Plan 3

List of Figures and Tables

PageFigure 1 Red Lake Reservation Population Projections 7Figure 2 Population Projections by Community 8Figure 3 Household Projections by Community 9Figure 4 Extensive Cover 17Figure 5 Forest Cover 19Figure 6 National Wetlands Inventory 21Figure 7 Little Rock District Existing Land Use 22Figure 8 Red Lake District Existing Land Use 23Figure 9 Redby District Existing Land Use 24Figure 10 Ponemah District Existing Land Use 25Figure 11 Existing Roads 27Figure 12 Existing Sewer and Water - Little Rock 28Figure 13 Existing Sewer and Water - Ponemah 29Figure 14 Existing Sewer and Water - Red Lake & Redby 30Figure 15 Accessible Land - Little Rock 34Figure 16 Accessible Land - Ponemah 35 Figure 17 Accessible Land - Red Lake & Redby 36Figure 18 Significant Resources 37Figure 19 Developable Land - Little Rock 38Figure 20 Developable Land - Ponemah 39Figure 21 Developable Land - Red Lake & Redby 39Figure 22 Potential Development Sites 41Figure 23 Existing Land Assignment Process 42Figure 24 Little Rock District Future Land Use 56Figure 25 Ponemah District Future Land Use 57Figure 26 Red Lake District Future Land Use 58Figure 27 Red Lake Community Future Land Use 59Figure 28 Redby District Future Land Use 60Figure 29 Redby Community Future Land Use 61Figure 30 South Reservation Entrance Future Land Use 62Figure 31 Functional Class 67Figure 32 Average Daily Traffic 69Figure 33 Surface Type 71Figure 34 Surface Age 73Figure 35 Surface Quality 75Figure 36 Candidate Roads (Desired Service Level Assessment) 81Figure 37 Candidate Roads (Road Safety Assessment) 83Figure 38 Candidate Roads (Land Use Plan) 84Figure 39 System Expansion 85Figure 40 Candidate Roads 86Figure 41 Desired Future 91Figure 42 Transportation Improvement Plan 92

PageTable 1 2000 Population and Households 9Table 2 Employment Breakdown 10Table 3 Employment Distribution by Major Industry, 2000 10Table 4 Income Levels on the Red Lake Reservation 11Table 5 Poverty Rates on the Red Lake Reservation 11Table 6 Land Cover on the Red Lake Reservation 16Table 7 Forest Cover on the Red Lake Reservation 18Table 8 Wetland Types 20 Table 9 Functional Classification by Miles 66Table 10 Road Surface Type 70Table 11 Surface Age of Pavement by Miles 72Table 12 Surface Quality by Miles 74Table 13 Adequate Standard Characteristics 82Table 14 Candidate List 87Table 15 Summary TIP 90

Red Lake Aerial

Figure Table


Introduction

This document provides the 2009 update to the Land Use and Transportation Plan for Tribal lands on the Red Lake Reservation. The foundation for this work was done in 1999 and 2004. The Headwaters Regional Development Corporation (HRDC) created the original plan, then the Departments of Economic Development, Tribal Planning, and Tribal Engineering worked on the update which passed through the Tribal Council in 2004. This 2009 document aims to further the scope of the previous work by serving a number of goals, including creation of proposed land use ordinances. This updated plan also outlines a phased development program for the Tribe as it gives the Tribal Council an understanding of the amount of developable land that exists within the available infrastructure and the length of time it will take for the Tribe to develop those areas. Of ultimate importance, this plan looks to provide a vehicle to combine and coordinate the various plans from all Tribal departments on the Reservation, and in so doing creates a process to ensure that all stakeholders are involved in consensus building with regard to future development.

The process for this current update began in September 2007 through the collaborative efforts of Sam Strong, Roger Head, Jim Walker, and Jim Gerrigan. This document is the result of extensive work with the Tribal departments, the Tribal Council, hereditary chiefs, community leaders and many others. The conclusions and judgments stated in this plan are the result of the deliberations of all of those listed above.

The plan is organized into three main parts. The background section provides a context for the planning effort. A brief history of the Red Lake Reservation is presented, followed by a summary of the Reservations demographics, housing and housing characteristics, and projections for each. This section also explores economic characteristics of the Reservation.

The Land Use Plan section presents a summary of the Reservations land use planning efforts, and an inventory of the existing resources and infrastructure. Existing land use patterns are analyzed and trends are discussed. All of the above information is used to make recommendations for future development sites and for potential land use ordinances. Several maps are presented, with accompanying narrative for implementation strategies.

The last section focuses on the transportation system. An updated inventory is presented based on the comprehensive transportation GIS database created through the Land Use and Transportation Plan of 1999. This database has been updated regularly and contains many new GIS layers that have been created by the Tribal Roads and Engineering staff. These layers help to provide an analysis of the existing system. An additional section identifies future goals and policies for the transportation system, as well as the desired level of service for each system.

Lower Red Lake


Background

History

The Red Lake Band of Chippewa is a sovereign Indian Tribe, independent of the MinnesotaChippewa Tribe. The Red Lake Reservation is located in northern Minnesota, approximately 260 miles north of the Twin Cities Metropolitan area, and 70 miles south of the Canadian border. At one timethe Chippewa Tribes land holdings extended as far west as Devils Lake, North Dakota, andincluded more than 14 million acres of land. The boundaries of the Reservation were originallydetermined in 1793 with the Jay Treaty, which established the Canadian/United States border.

In 1863, the Old Crossing Treaty was signed, ceding 11,000,000 acres of Red Lake lands to theUnited States government. More than two million additional acres were ceded to the UnitedStates government in the Agreement of 1889 and the Agreement of 1902. The current landholdings of the Reservation total more than 825,000 acres. The Diminished Reservation, acontiguous block of land forming the core of the Red Lake Nation, is approximately 650,000acres in size. All land is held in Tribal Trust, with no allotments made to individual tribalmembers.

The Red Lake Bands original Constitution, adopted in 1918, was revised in1958. Since that time the Red Lake Nation has been governed by an elected council of 11representatives. The Tribal Council includes two representatives from each of the Reservationsfour districts, a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer elected at-large. Under the TribalCouncils leadership, Red Lake has resisted all encroachment upon the sovereignty of the Tribeto govern its own affairs.

Reservation Boundary


Population and Housing Characteristics

Population and household trends and projections provide information that is instrumental to the land use planning process. Growing populations will amplify the demand for basic services provided by the Tribe. An increasing number of households indicates a need for new housing units, and the growing need for new home construction will result in additional requests for land assignments. In order to realize the amount of developable land that will be needed to accommodate the land assignment requests, projections of population and households must be considered.

Accurate population and household projections for the Red Lake Reservation are somewhat difficult to obtain due to a number of inconsistent data sources. Time series data from the U.S. Census is readily available, but is generally recognized as inaccurate, reflecting a significant undercount on the Reservation. Other data sources which are deemed more credible are not available over a similar time series, making trends more difficult to determine, and projections less certain.

Red Lake Homes


Trends and Projections

This section presents and explains data used to determine the range of population and household counts. This data will then be used as background in developing the land use plan.

There have been many different population projections for the Reservation. The accompanying graph (Figure 1) shows projections based on information gathered from a variety of sources. The Market Study completed by the Danter Company Incorporated looked at 1990 and 2000 census data to complete its population projections. The housing study also uses census data, 14-year growth trends, and 4-year growth trends to come up with two different projections. This data shows higher projections for the 14-year trends as compared to the 4-year trends, suggesting that population growth has slowed in the past four years as compared to the previous ten.

A study completed in February 2001 by the Bemidji State University Department of Economics takes a different approach to making population projections. This study, completed by Robert D. Ley and Patrick G. Welle and completed in 1995, was used to make the population projections for the earlier plan completed in 2000. This number is drastically higher than the other studies. Their 1995 estimate was based on the total number of houses provided by a count of the fire numbers (number designated to each household by fire department) and multiplied by the mean household size in their sample. A survey was used to determine mean household size. A similar survey done in 2001 showed that mean household size was virtually unchanged. They used the 1995 total number of houses adjusted for a growth rate supplied by the Beltrami Electric Corporation.

These studies show that there are varying sources and interpretations of the data, and therefore no accurate count of all the people on the reservation currently exists. While the studies show trends that will help inform the planning process, a study showing mean household size for 2009 needs to be completed before population numbers can be properly assessed. Once complete, this number can then be multiplied by the total number of houses, compiled by Tribal Roads and Engineering through their E-911 system.


Red Lake Population Projections

0

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Housing Study 14 Yr. Growth Trend

Housing Study 4 Yr. growth Trend

Economic Performance

Linear (Economic Performance)

Linear (Housing Study 4 Yr. growthTrend)Linear (Market Study DanterCompany)Linear (Housing Study 14 Yr.Growth Trend)

Figure 1



Population and Households by Community

Trend data showing the population by community is available from the 1990 census. This was the first year that this information was gathered. Figure 2 shows population trends and projections for the Reservation Communities, while Figure 3 shows similar data for households. A brief description of the two figures follows. The area that saw the greatest percentage of population growth was people that were outside the four communities of Red Lake, Redby, Ponemah, and Little Rock. These other areas increased 102.8% from the 1990 census to the 2000 census. The area that saw the next greatest increase in percentage of population was Little Rock which saw an increase of 47.7%. Red lake increased by 33.8%, Ponemah increased by 24.1%, and Redby by 21.6%.

Population Projections by Community

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Little RockPonemahRedby Red Lake Other

Figure 2

Red Lake Band Members



The areas of greatest need in relation to housing in order of need are Little Rock, Red Lake, Ponemah and Redby. Little Rock saw their number of households jump 89 households or 46%. Red Lake saw an increase of 118 households or 41%. Ponemah saw their households increase by 61 households or by 41%. Redby saw their households increase by 37 or 18%. Although the other category increased by 123 households or 123% this plan dictates that development should be concentrated within the districts and thus the need for Little Rock, Red Lake, Ponemah, and Redby were established.

Figure 3

Community Population Households

Little Rock 1055 (20%) 281 (21%)

Ponemah 874 (17%) 209 (15%)

Redby 957 (19%) 244 (18%)

Red Lake 1430 (28%) 400 (30%)

Other 846 (16%) 223 (16%)

Totals 5162 1357

Table 1. Census 2000 Population and HouseholdsPonemah 148 209 295Redby 207 244 287Red Lake 282 400 567Other 100 223 497

Household Projections by Community

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lds Little Rock

Ponemah

Redby

Red Lake

Other


Economic Characteristics

Total Employment

Detailed data of the employment and income numbers for Red Lake is hard to find. Below are the employment numbers on the Reservation as provided by the 2000 Census. They can give us an idea of the kinds of jobs that residents of the Reservation have. The employment numbers from Beltrami County within which lies the majority of the reservation are provided to help give a comparison of the conditions directly outside the reservation. These number show a high disparity in the unemployment rate of the county in which the majority of the Reservation sits and the Reservation itself. This number is also significantly higher than both the state and national averages.

The employment distribution in Table 3 gives us a snapshot of where Red Lake members work as compared to Beltrami County. A high percentage of workers are seen within the services and public administration categories as these are the main types of employment that are available from Tribal Government and Tribal Enterprise. A relatively small percentage of workers are in the wholesale and retail trade category, a situation that can be attributed to the lack of businesses on the reservation. Most Red Lake members drive down to Bemidji or other locations off the reservation in Beltrami County to shop and conduct other business.

Total Population (16 years and older)

In Labor Force

Percent in Labor Force

Employed

Unemployed

Unemployment Rate

Source: U.S. Census, 2000

Red Lake Reservation Beltrami County

Table 2. Employment Breakdown

2,977 29,650

1,745

24%

413

1,332

59%

7%

19,554

66%

18,085

1,465

Table 2

BeltramiCounty

Economic Sector Employees Distribution Distribution

Agricultural, Forestry and Fisheries

45 3% 4%

Construction 114 9% 7%

Manufacturing 79 6% 9%

Transportation, Communications, Information, and Public Utilities (TCPU)

10 1% 6%

Wholesale & Retail Trade

81 6% 15%

Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIRE)

80 6% 4%

Services 749 56% 49%

Public Administration 174 13% 6%

Total Employed Persons

850 100% 100%

Source: U.S Census, 2000

Red Lake Reservation

Table 3. Employment Distribution by Major Industry, 2000


Economic Characteristics

Income levels (Table 4) and poverty rates (Table 5) are shown below and they give an overview of the low income levels and high prevalence of poverty on the reservation. Numbers are given for Beltrami County to show the disparity of income levels between the reservation and the surrounding areas. Per capita income levels are significantly lower than both the state and national levels. Poverty rates are shown for both Beltrami County and the State of Minnesota to show the high prevalence of poverty in Red Lake as compared to both the county and the state rates. Although poverty rates have declined since 1990, (from 49.5% as reported by the census) the reservation has a poverty rate of more than 3 times that of Beltrami County and almost 8 times more than the state average.


Beltrami County

Per Capita Income $7,957 $15,497

Median Family Income 19,969 40,345

Median Household Income

22,813 33,392


Table 4. Income Levels on the Red Lake Reservation

Poverty Rate

Red Lake Reservation 38.80%

Beltrami County 12.90%

State of Minnesota 5.10%


Table 5. Poverty Rate


Governing Principles for Planning and Development

Housing and the Built environment

Social and cultural Governance

Transport and connectivity

Services

EnvironmentalEquity

Economy

Overall Goals

Following are overall goals that describe the general aspirations of the Red Lake Nation. These provide a framework that describe the desired future of the Red Lake Reservation, and act as a guide for future action.

1. MaintainandenhancetherichculturalandhistoricaltraditionsoftheRedLake Nation.

2. Createandmaintainahealthy,vibrantcommunitythatprotectsitsnaturalresources, valuesallofitspopulation,andembracesgrowthandchange.

3. ProvideresidentsoftheRedLakeReservationwithabroadrangeofchoicesin lifestyle,economicopportunity,housing,andrecreation.


Governing Principles for Planning and Development

Land Use Objectives and Policies

Objective#1.PromotepatternsoforderlydevelopmentthatefficientlyutilizestheReservationsinfrastructureandpromotestheReservationsoverallgoals.

Policies

a. Encourage growth in and adjacent to existing communities so residents have good access to services and facilities.

b. Promote new, small neighborhood-like settings for residential development that promote a sense of community among residents and provide a safe living environment.

c. Reserve specific areas for different uses to accommodate projected demand.

d. Promote the development of residential areas with different densities that provide choice to residents.

e. Develop sewer and water extensions in selected areas near Redby, Red Lake, Little Rock, and Ponemah to serve slightly higher density residential development.

f. Create minimum performance standards for residential development that promote quality housing and neighborhoods.

g. Develop management tools, resources, and processes that assist the Reservation in proactively guiding growth that is projected to occur over the next 20 years.

h. Create new residential areas in and near all communities to accommodate the projected growth.

i. Encourage infill in existing residential areas that are served with central sewer and/or water.

j. Protect collector and arterial road function through the management of access to new development, and by implementing management access strategies in existing development areas that have access and safety problems.

k. Create the groundwork for a Zoning Ordinance, Capital Improvement Process, and Building Codes that reflect the desired future for Red Lake and create a structure through which these ordinances and codes can be enforced.

l. Plan for Open Space/Community Space within each residential development within each district.

Objective#2.Maintainand,wherenecessary,enhancetheenvironmentalqualityoftheReservationthroughthewiseuseandstewardshipoftheReservationstimber,water,wetland,andothernaturalresources.

Policies

a. Protect lakes by enforcing the shoreland protection ordinance that is outlined later in the future development maps and in the Special Protection Approach section.

b. Identify priority timber management areas and restrict new development in these areas.

c. Enforce regulations that prohibit wetlands from being drained or filled.

d. Protect streams through setbacks outlined in the future land use maps.

Objective#3.ProvideabroadrangeofeconomicopportunitiesforindividualsandbusinessesontheReservationinwaysthatarecompatiblewithlongtermenvironmentalquality.

Policies

a. Earmark land in Redby adjacent to and just west of the existing industrial park site for industrial park expansion.

b. Earmark land on the southern border of the Reservation adjacent to Trunk Highway 89 for commercial activity adjacent to the new Casino.

c. Identify small areas in Redby and Red Lake for future potential commercial activity expansion.

Objective#4.PreservetheReservationsrichculturalandhistoricallegacyforfuturegenerations.

Policies

a. Complete and maintain a comprehensive inventory of cultural and historical sites on the Reservation.

b. Implement strategies to protect existing family burial sites.

c. Integrate an archeological/historical reconnaissance survey into the revised land assignment process, as well as into the process of proactively developing new residential areas.


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LegendState Highway

Highway

Gravel

Min. Maint.

Seasonal

Trail


Rivers

Lakes

0 1 20.5Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake


LandUsePlan

This plan contains three main sections: an inventory of existing resources; a land use analysis; and the future land use plan. The inventory includes a summary of the natural characteristics of the Red Lake Reservation as well as the man-made infrastructure, including roads, sewer, and water main. The analysis section involves the combination of various pieces of information to provide judgments in six main areas: future land requirements by use; existing development patterns; developable land; characteristics of land accessibility; lands of special significance; and existing land conversion decision process.

Finally, the future land use plan identifies goals and policies that serve as a framework for future decision making, as well as a future land use map and specific short to mid-range plan implementation strategies.

LandUsePlan


Inventory

LosAngeles

Houston

NewYork

RedLake

1,525

Miles

1,250Miles

1,150Miles


Inventory

RedLake

Winnipeg

Minneapolis/St.Paul

Chicago

175Miles

215Miles

550Miles


Inventory

SheyenneNationalGrassland

29

81

1

71

59

2

VoyageursNationalPark

Winnipeg

RedLake

National Forest/Grassland USDA

Local Resources

Wildlife Refuge Area

Airport

Park

Hiking Trail


Inventory

ChippewaNationalForest

SuperiorNationalForest

ChequamegonNationalForest

OttawaNationalForest

SheyenneNationalGrassland

TwinCitiesRegion

ItascaStatePark

OBrienStatePark

IceAgeCircle

35

29

9439

52

2

2

2

81

71

71

169

National Forest/Grassland USDA

Local Resources

Wildlife Refuge Area

Airport

Park

Hiking Trail

IsleRoyaleNationalParkRedLake


Inventory

Land Cover

Table 6 displays land cover acres for the Reservation and Figure 4 shows the spatial distribution. There are four major categories.

Nearly one-half of the Reservation is covered in wetlands. The entire Reservation west of Upper and Lower Red Lake is one large complex of wetlands occasionally broken up by small spots of high ground. The eastern part of the Reservation that extends into the Ponemah area also has a concentration of wetlands but not nearly as extensive. Over one-third of the Reservation is covered by surface water; Upper and Lower Red Lake account for a large portion of that figure. The remainder consists of small lakes and ponds that are scattered throughout the southern half of the Reservation.

Cover Type Acreage Percentage

Wetlands* 285,666 44%

Surface waters 240,220 37%

Forest Cover/Brush 110,369 17%

Developed Areas 12,985 2%

Totals 649,242 100%

Table 6. Land Cover on the Red Lake Reservation

*A number of wetlands possess extensive forest or brush cover; these wetlands are not classed in the forest cover category.


Inventory

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

0 63Miles .

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood

Brush, Marsh, Muskeg, Grass

Other

Surface Water

Residential, Agriculture, Gravel Pits

0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Legend

Streams

Cover Types

Forest


Developed Land

Wetland Forest

Surface Water

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

0 63Miles .

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Extensive CoverFigure 4

Legend


Forest Cover

Forested lands (see Figure 5) are dispersed across the Reservation. Nearly all of the forested wetlands are in the northern half of the Reservation and in the eastern half of the Ponemah district. The largest continuous areas of upland forested areas are in the southern half of the Reservation, extending westward and including the western two-thirds of the Ponemah area.

Intensive human development covers only two percent of the Reservation and for the most part is concentrated on the shores of Lower Red Lake. Proximity to major roads, the bodies of Upper and Lower Red Lake, and upland areas, have been the driving forces behind the location of development. A few farming areas exist in the western portion, especially along the Reservation border where the soils are well drained.

Aspen is the most prevalent tree cover accounting for 48 percent of all forest cover. Aspen is found throughout the Reservation. The western half of the Reservation has scattered stands in and around the wetland areas, whereas the southern and eastern parts of the Reservation possess larger continuous stands in the dryer soils.

There are extensive stands of tamarack in the bogs located in the north-eastern part of the Reservation. Large continuous stands of cedar are also in this area. Cedar and tamarack stands are found almost exclusively in Type 7 and Type 8 wetlands, and are responsible for the vast majority of these wetlands depicted as forest.

The hardwoods are found almost exclusively in the south and eastern half of the Reservation where wetlands are few and scattered. Pines, which are considered to be the Reservations most valuable tree species, account for only four percent of all forest cover. Like hardwoods, the pine stands are restricted to areas with well-drained soils.

Inventory

Cover Type Acreage Percentage

Aspen 109,851 48.2%

Tamarack 29,327 12.9%

Northern Hardwoods

21,374 9.4%

Cedar 18,667 8.2%

Pine 9,482 4.1%

Other 39,320 17.2%

Totals 228,021 100

Table 7. Forest Cover on the Red Lake Reservation


Inventory

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Forest CoverFigure 5

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Legend


Inventory

Wetlands + Surface Waters

Figure 6 displays the location of wetlands by type, as well as all surface water. As indicated previously, approximately forty-four percent of the Reservation is covered by wetlands, and an additional thirty percent is covered by surface waters (Upper and Lower Red Lakes comprise a large majority of the surface waters). Table 8 shows the acres of wetland of each type.

The north and western portion of the Reservation is essentially one large wetland complex. The area east of Trunk Highways 1 and 89 is one continuous bog that turns into wooded and shrub swamps further west. The westernmost part of the Reservation consists largely of inland fresh meadows with wood and shrub swamps scattered throughout.

The wetland complex is broken up towards the south and east, and ends on the southern shores of Lower Red Lake. The southern half of the Reservation is upland with a small number of wetlands scattered across it. Wetlands are prevalent in the east half of the Reservation but begin to disappear closer to Ponemah.

Type Acres Percent

Type 1 - Seasonally Flooded 313 0.06%

Type 2 - Inland Fresh Meadows 107,762 20.53%

Type 3 - Inland Shallow Fresh Marshes 4,477 0.85%

Type 4 - Inland Deep Fresh Marshes 4,209 0.80%

Type 5 - Inland Open Fresh Water 241,113 45.93%

Type 6 - Shrub Swamps 49,365 9.40%

Type 7 - Wooded Swamps 58,882 11.22%

Type 8 - Bogs 58,801 11.20%

Total 524,923 100%*

*Total doesnt equal 100 percent due to rounding

Table 8. Wetland Types


Inventory

National WetlandsInventory

Figure 6

.0 105 Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


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Upper Red Lake

LegendStreams


Inland Open Fresh Water

Wetland TypeInland Fresh Meadows

Upland

Wooded Swamps & Bogs

Shrub Swamps

.0 105 Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Legend


Inventory

Little RockPopulation: 1055

All territory west of Fuller Creek and north on the reservation and east to the range line between range 34 and 35 W

Red LakePopulation: 1581

From a line due south of the east side of Fuller Creek and extending east to Shemahgun Creek

RedbyPopulation: 1392

From the east side of Shemahgun Creek extending east to the reservation boundary and north to Battle River

PonemahPopulation: 1029

All territory beginning from Battle River between the North and South Lakes and north of the lakes east from the range line lying between range 34 and 35 W

Red Lake Reservation Districts

Lower Red Lake

Ponemah

RedbyRedLakeLittleRock

Upper Red Lake


Inventory

Ponemah Little Rock

Red Lake Redby


Inventory


Inventory

Intensive Land Use

Figures 7 - 10 show the intensive land use within the Reservation boundaries. The four maps are focused on the four main districts on the Reservation: Red Lake, Redby, Ponemah, and Little Rock.

The maps show the development patterns within the four districts. The land use within each district shows how development is scattered along the major roads. The road system and other available infrastructure has been the major contributing factor that guides the development within each district.

The majority of commercial development is also located along the major road corridor within each district.


Inventory

0 1 2Miles

0 0.5 1Miles

Little Rock Existing Land Use

Figure 7

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Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


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Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

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Utilities

Land UseInstitutional

Trunk HighwaysExisting Paved RoadsExisting Gravel RoadsDistrict Lines

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Wetlands

Forest

Residential

Commercial

Legend


Inventory

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Red Lake Existing Land Use

Figure 8

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Upper Red Lake

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Inventory

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Redby Existing Land Use

Figure 9

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Legend

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Northern Hardwoods

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Other

Surface Water


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Upper Red Lake

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Wetlands

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Residential

Commercial

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Inventory

0 10.5Miles

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Ponemah Existing Land Use

Figure 10

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Legend

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Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

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Utilities



Lakes

Wetlands

Forest

Residential

Commercial

Legend


Inventory

Infrastructure

Figure 11 shows the existence of approximately 402 miles of Reservation road, and an additional 66 miles of state trunk highway. The figure also shows the location of three types of roads: paved, gravel, and unimproved. The improved roads (paved and gravel) comprise only 227.8 miles (including state trunk highways), or 56 percent, of the total Reservation road system. Most of these roads lie directly south and north of Lower Red Lake. More detail is provided for the Reservation road system in the transportation planning section.

Little Rock, Redby, Red Lake and Ponemah are all served by central water, and Red Lake, Redby and Ponemah are served by central sewer. There is a total of approximately 22,780 lineal feet of central sewer, and 89,505 feet of central water. Most of the development on small lots within Redby, Red Lake and Ponemah are served by one or both central services. Figures 12-14 shows the general location of sewer and water within the Reservation.


Inventory

Existing RoadsFigure 11

0 63Miles

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Legend

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Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


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Surface Water


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Upper Red Lake

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Trunk HighwaysUnimproved RoadsGravel RoadsPaved Roads

0 63Miles


Inventory

0 0.5 1Miles

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Little RockWater & Sewer

Figure 12

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Legend

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Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Water

Sewer

Legend


Inventory

Red Lake Community Redby Community

0 0.5 1Miles

0 10.5Miles

PonemahWater & Sewer

Figure 13

.

Legend

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Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


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Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Legend

Water

Sewer


Inventory

0 1 2Miles


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Red Lake & RedbyWater & Sewer

Figure 14

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Water

Sewer

Legend


Land Use Analysis

The land use analysis section consists of seven different parts, including: future land needs, overview of existing development patterns, accessibility, the description of significant resources, analysis of developable land, a summary of the existing land conversion decision process, and conclusions. These analyses will be the basis for the synthesis that is accomplished, resulting in a statement of goals, a future land use map, a statement of policies that will guide future land use decisions, and short term implementation strategies.


Land Use Analysis

Future Land Needs

An estimate of the quantity of land needed for different types of uses is necessary before a future land use map can be developed. The areas set aside for future development must be able to accommodate the growth that is anticipated, as well as provide some choice to individuals in determining their location, particularly for new residential development. Following are some quantitative and/or qualitative estimates of land requirements over the next decade for three general types of uses: residential, commercial, and industrial.

An earlier section of the plan provided estimates of the housing growth that is likely to occur within the Reservation. It was estimated that the Reservation anticipated a 10 year average of approximately 44 new housing units per year being added to the housing stock (This figure could be a bit larger or smaller, depending on demand, the Reservations ability to locate and place homes, and other factors.). For the purposes of the future residential land requirements analysis, it is estimated that space will be needed for approximately 50 units of housing per year over the next decade, and it is also assumed for this analysis that the vast majority of these units will be single family homes.

At present, the existing land assignment process allows each registered member of the tribe a 2.5 acre land assignment. While a vast majority of the present demand is for single family homes on large lots, there is some likelihood that a smaller percentage of individuals would like to live closer to each of the communities, and have access to central sewer and water. Over 10 years, this would create a demand for approximately 1,250 acres of residential land. As will be discussed later in the plan, creating 1,250 acres of accessible, buildable residential property will be phased in over a period of years, with adjustments made, depending on the strength of demand, as well as other factors.

The estimates of commercial land needed are much more qualitative in nature. The development of new businesses on the Reservation is undertaken in a different way than it is off the Reservation, making good estimates of needs for future commercial space difficult. Although difficult it is safe to assume that there is a pressing need for local business. To accommodate this need adequate space within the districts should be created with an emphasis on growth within the districts of Red Lake and Redby the areas of highest population on the reservation. The location of this commercial expansion will be discussed in a later portion of this plan

In addition, there is the need to accommodate the growth of our new casino on the south boundary as well as other types of commercial activity that is anticipated in the vicinity of the new casino. Adequate space should be reserved for such growth near the new Red Lake casino site on the south boundary alongside highway 89.

Nearly all existing land used for industrial purposes on the Red Lake Reservation is located in Redby, between Trunk Highway 1 and Lower Red Lake. As with any significant industrial expansion with existing business or future businesses, additional land will be needed. It is estimated that up to an additional 10 acres of industrial land should be created over the next 10 years to provide opportunities for expansion of existing and new industries.


Land Use Analysis

Existing Development Patterns

Figures 7-10 displays generalized development patterns, as well as existing land use. Nearly all development is located along Trunk Highway 1 extending from Red Lake east through Redby and then leading north around Lower Red Lake to Ponemah. The development is largely in this linear pattern, with Trunk Highway 1 serving as principal access north and south of the route for much of the areas residential developments.

Commercial development is located principally in Red Lake and Redby, with a minor additional commercial development in Little Rock and Ponemah. Virtually all of the industrial development is located in Redby, north of Trunk Highway 1.

This development pattern is the result of a combination of several factors: good accessibility created by Trunk Highways 1 and 89, and the lack of a fully developed system of local roads that provide access to land in other parts of the Reservation, the nature of the existing land assignment process (which reacts to the selection by individuals of the parcels accessible to the existing, limited system of roads), and the desire to be close to one of the principal resources of the Reservation, Upper and Lower Red Lakes.

While understandable, this development pattern also presents some challenges to the Reservation. The direct access off of the trunk highway system creates safety problems and compromises the function of the Trunk Highway system. It also prevents developable land behind this area from being accessed over the long term. Finally, it prevents the development of neighborhoods where a sense of community can be established.

The development pattern also presents some challenges within the communities, where uses have been allowed to locate next to each other that may cause long term compatibility problems. For instance, in Redby the potential expansion of the existing industrial park has been made more difficult by the location of residences on the south and west side. The lack of a clear vision for long term development of its land base has resulted in the preemption of options for expansion of industrial, as well as commercial uses in areas that may not be the most appropriate to accommodate those uses.

0 1 2Miles

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Figure 7 Figure 8

Figure 9 Figure 10

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Lakes

Wetlands

Forest

Residential

Commercial

Legend

Legend

Utilities



Lakes

Wetlands

Forest

Residential

Commercial


Land Use Analysis

Accessibility

Figures 15-17 provide some indication of land accessibility by illustrating the location of paved and unpaved roads, and central sewer and water. As in the previous analysis, the development pattern is linear, with concentrations at Red Lake, Redby, Ponemah and, to a certain extent, Little Rock. Paved roads serve the strip of land around Red Lake, as well as much of the communities of Red Lake, Ponemah, and Redby. Central sewer and water is available to serve a large portion of Red Lake and Redby, while water serves the community of Little Rock. The extension of sewer and water lines is projected to be built into Little Rock to the Little Rock Ballfield to accommodate the new housing development. The sewer and water lines will then be built out to Circle Pines connecting those homes into the central system and south along highway 89 to the new casino. This will allow for new development areas along these lines. Although it will be difficult to accommodate the 500 units of housing that is projected over the next 10 years the development of the water and sewer lines into Little Rock, and along 89 combined with availability of space that will be opened by the construction of the Thunder Lake East extension, this need can be realized. However the availability of land beyond the 10 years is limited and the council may need to revisit the idea of lowering the land assignment amount for housing developments to allow for more concentrated development.


Land Use Analysis

Little Rock

0 1 2Miles

Little RockAccessible Land

Figure 15

Legend

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Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

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Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Institutional

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Red Lake Water

Red Lake Sewer

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Gravel Roads

Paved Roads

Trunk Highway

District Lines

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Lakes

Wetlands

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Residential

Little Rock

0 1 2Miles


Land Use Analysis

Ponemah

0 10.5Miles

PonemahAccessible Land

Figure 16

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Legend

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Other

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0 63Miles

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Upper Red Lake

Institutional

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Red Lake Water

Red Lake Sewer

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Ponemah

0 10.5Miles


Land Use Analysis

Red Lake Redby

0 10.5Miles

Red Lake & RedbyAccessible Land

Figure 17

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0 63Miles

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Upper Red Lake

Institutional

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Red Lake Redby

0 10.5Miles


Land Use Analysis

Significant Resources

Figure 18 displays three of the important resources on the Reservation: pine stands, wetlands, and surface water. Significant stands of pine are scattered throughout the Reservation with the most substantial concentration in an area north of Ponemah. The location of these stands can serve as the basis for designating priority timber management areas; those areas are further delineated in later sections of this plan.

Upper and Lower Red Lakes dominate the landscape on the Red Lake Reservation. The two lakes combined contain approximately 283,840 acres (within the Reservation boundary). There are over 70 lakes on the Reservation that are over 10 acres.

Wetlands are one of the predominant features of Red Lake . Much of the land west and north of the Upper and Lower Red Lakes are wetland areas.

The third set of significant resources on the Reservation includes archeological and historical sites, as well as traditional use areas. No comprehensive inventory of these sites is presently available, although Reservation staff is working on developing an information base. Until that inventory is completed, the protection of these sites can best be attained through reconnaissance surveys that are completed as part of the land assignment and development process. Community meetings that are built into the development process are also a good way to identify culturally sensitive areas.


Land Use Analysis

Significant Resources Figure 18

rs1

rs89

rs89

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Upper Red Lake

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Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

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Upper Red Lake

Legend

Lakes

Trunk Highways

Reservation Roads

Wetlands

Red Lake Pine

rs1

rs89

rs89

0 52.5Miles

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Upper Red Lake


Land Use Analysis

Developable Land

Figures 19-21 display an analysis of most of the information that was discussed previously in the Significant Resources section. Those areas shown in white include all of the potentially developable land. The other information roads, sewer and water, location of significant resources, etc. provide some context with regard to criteria such as accessibility, sensitive areas, etc.

Figures 19-21 show a number of different areas of potentially developable land for residential purposes. There is approximately 600 acres of developable land in the Little Rock District shown on this map as future residential development. There is approximately 400 acres of developable land in the Red Lake District shown on this map as future residential development. There is approximately 880 acres of developable land in the Redby District shown on the map as future residential development. There is approximately 2,000 acres of developable land in the Ponemah District shown on the map as future residential development.

As indicated in a previous section, it is estimated that approximately 1,500 acres may be needed for residential expansion over the next decade. The areas outlined in blue show a total of approximately 3,880 acres potentially available for residential land. Priorities are set that can identify areas to first be developed.

Although the total number of acres is high the total number of acres for the three districts of Little Rock, Redby, and Red Lake may be just enough to accommodate growth for the next ten years within these districts. This number also does not represent the true number of acres that could be used exclusively for housing and many of these areas have parameters that will limit the number of acres that could actually be used for housing. Space should also be reserved for community centers and park/open space for each of these areas.


Land Use Analysis

Little Rock

0 1 2Miles

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Figure 19

Legend

.

Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Institutional

Land Use

Valuable Pine Stands

Red Lake Water

Red Lake Sewer

Unimproved Roads

Gravel Roads

Paved Roads

Trunk Highway

District Lines

Utilities

Lakes

Wetlands

Commercial

Residential

Red Lake Redby

0 1 2Miles


Land Use Analysis

Ponemah

0 1 2Miles

PonemahDevelopable Land

Figure 20

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Legend

Cover TypesAspen

Pine

Northern Hardwoods

Swamp Conifer

Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Institutional

Land Use


Red Lake Water

Red Lake Sewer

Unimproved Roads

Gravel Roads

Paved Roads

Trunk Highway

District Lines

Utilities

Lakes

Wetlands

Commercial

Residential

Legend

Ponemah

0 1 2Miles


Land Use Analysis

Red Lake Redby

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Red Lake & RedbyDevelopable Land

Figure 21

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Cover TypesAspen

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Northern Hardwoods

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Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

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Upper Red Lake

Institutional

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Red Lake Water

Red Lake Sewer

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District Lines

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Wetlands

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Red Lake Redby

0 1 2Miles


Land Use Analysis

Developable Land

The red color shows potential areas for commercial expansion within Redby and Red Lake. In Redby, the most appropriate place for commercial expansion is adjacent to some existing commercial activity and in the downtown area. In Red Lake, little land is available in the core area; rather, an area along the highway is identified just west of the core area.

Finally, approximately eight acres of land that could potentially be used for industrial park expansion is shown in Redby, just west of the existing industrial park. This area has some existing residential activity, which would require relocation should this area be targeted for future industrial growth.

The existing process is initiated by individuals eligible for land assignment. A person interested in a land assignment can identify a piece of land that appears to be vacant, and proposes that assignment to the Tribal Council, via the Real Estate Department. The Real Estate Department conducts a general review of the site to determine the availability of the land, as well as the appropriateness of the location, emphasizing the legal availability and the existence of archeological and/or historical sites that may exist. Given that the Reservation has no broad vision for future development patterns, no judgment can be made by staff regarding the consistency of this assignment with a long term plan.

After review, the Tribal Council is presented with the potential land assignment, and approves or denies the assignment. Staff then completes all of the necessary paperwork to formalize that decision.

The existing land assignment decision process is influenced heavily by existing infrastructure availability. There is little demand for land that is inaccessible, or land that has significant environmental challenges to its development. The result is an emerging growth pattern that is very linear, and one that is concentrating development on the southeast and northeast shore of Lower Red Lake. Growth is also occurring in a linear fashion along Trunk Highway 89 south of Red Lake.

There are significant implications for the Reservation for future land development. Future development will be realized along the corridors of sewer and water infrastructure that we have planned to go into Little Rock, south along 89, and along available infrastructure in Red Lake and in Redby. Development in Ponemah is expected to remain along the current corridors of infrastructure with development occurring alongside the housing projects in the phased development plan. Under this plan the land assignment process will make a change requiring that the land assignment be compatible with the land use plan and the environmental buffers outlined within the plan.


Land Use Analysis

Figure 22

0 2.5 5Miles

Lower Red Lake

Potential Development Sites

Figure 22

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Pine

Northern Hardwoods

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Swamp Hardwood


Other

Surface Water


0 63Miles

Lower Red Lake

Upper Red Lake

Legend

Future Residential

Land Use

Future Industrial

Trunk Highways

Existing Paved Roads

Existing Gravel Roads

District Lines

Future Commercial

Future Institutional

0 2.5 5Miles

Lower Red Lake


Land Use Analysis

Existing Land Conversion Decision Process

The generalized land conversion process presently used is shown in here in Figure 23.Existing Land Assignment Process

Possibly

Yes

No

No

Agreement Drawn Up, Signed

Individual Interested in a Land Assignment

Real Estate Sta Reviews Information with Applicant to Help with Decision

Person Identies Candidate Site

Try AgainGeneral Review(Archeology, RE

and IHS)

Site Reviewed(RE, DNR, Forestry, Environmental)

Recommendation to Tribal Council

Tribal Council Approves

Land Assignment Contacts

Je Fossen - Dir. ForestryAl Pemberton - Dir. DNRHarlan Beaulieu - Dir. Real EstateLes Peterson - Archeology/Environmental

Figure 23


Land Use Analysis

Conclusions

Following are some conclusions that can be formed from the analyses completed in this section.

Thereisaneedforapproximately1,500acresoflandforresidentialpurposesoverthenext10years. The need for housing development is difficult to assess on the Reservation because of differing population estimates and projections, as well as the inability to determine the desire of tribal enrollees to move back to the Reservation. The best estimate can be derived from the estimates the Red Lake HRA makes regarding its plans to develop housing units on the Reservation. Although the specific number may vary, all estimates suggest that a substantial amount of new land will need to be available for residential construction over the next 10-15 years.

NewlandshouldbesetasideforindustrialdevelopmentontheReservation. The Red Lake Nations plans to increase economic activity on the Reservation suggest that additional land should be set aside for accommodating industrial growth. By setting aside additional acreage, the Reservation can be assured that available land with appropriate infrastructure will be available should new economic activity be realized.

Existingcommercialdevelopmentissomewhatlimited,withsomeoccurringalongTrunkHighway1inRedLake,andamodestamountinRedbyandPonemah. There is little traditional commercial activity within the four communities on the Reservation. However, anticipating an increase in population as well as an increase in other economic activity, it would be prudent for Red Lake to identify and preserve small areas at least within Redby and Red Lake for potential new commercial activity.

Existingdevelopmentpatternsareverylinear,andincludeconcentrationsalongTrunkHighway89,TrunkHighway1eastofRedLake,andalongLowerRedLakeonthenortheastandtoPonemah. This development pattern is significantly influenced by the availability, or lack thereof, of infrastructure, particularly improved roads. These development patterns have some negative side effects, including an increase in safety problems for vehicle traffic as well as pedestrians, the impairment of the long term functionality of the road system, and the limits it puts on accessibility for other developable land. The pattern also is difficult to serve with central sewer and water. New development should be concentrated on access roads that are off of the main highways. This will allow for better neighborhoods and lessen the safety concerns alongside the major highways.

Accessibilitytosewer,water,andpavedroadsislimitedtothemaincorridorbetweenLittleRockandPonemah,passingthroughRedLakeandRedby. Again, this limited accessibility to infrastructure significantly influences development patterns.

ExtensivepinestandsareimportantresourcesfortheReservationandarescatteredthroughout. Significant tamarack stands can be found on the northwest side of Upper Red Lake, as well as on the southwest corner of the Reservation. Other pine stands can be found south of Lower Red Lake, with the largest stand of pine north and west of Ponemah, and just south of Lower Red Lake.

Archeological,historicsites,andtraditionaluseareasareimportant,butacompleteinventoryofeachisnotyetcompleted. Less than 10 percent of the existing archeological and historic sites have been identified and inventoried. Extensive work is now being undertaken by the Reservation Archeologist to identify as many sites as possible.

The traditional use areas present a more difficult challenge. These sites can be defined by families, and therefore are subject to interpretation by a number of different people. The identification of these sites also is subject to change, given changes in family history and membership. Consultation within each community prior to any development project is vital to ensuring that these areas are not disturbed.

TheReservationcontainssubstantialsurfacewaterandwetlandcomplexes,whichareclearlystrengthsoftheReservation,butalsolimitdevelopableland. In addition to Upper and Lower Red Lakes, there are numerous small lakes located south of Lower Red Lake. Nearly all of these lakes have poor accessibility. There are also extensive complexes of wetlands in the western third of the Reservation. These areas present poor development opportunities.

Theexistinglandconversionprocessissomewhatslow,isreactiveinnature,andcontributestothecontinuationoftheexistinglineardevelopmentpattern. The existing land assignment/conversion process was designed in an era when the demand for new land assignments was somewhat limited. Given the level and magnitude of growth that the Reservation faces, the existing land assignment process tends to result in a process that is not only slow, but results in a land development pattern that may not be in the best long term interests of the Reservation. In the coming year a zoning process will be created that will allow the tribe to concentrate development that will serve the long term interest of the Tribe. As previously stated in the plan there will be consultation from the Real Estate Department to the plan to ensure that land assignments are in the best interest of the long term plans for the tribe.


Future Land Use Plan

The future land use plan section consists of: a restatement of overall goals; land use objectives and related policies that, when followed, will promote the attainment of the goals; a future land use plan, including narrative and a map that reflects a spatial characterization of the goals, objectives, and policies; and specific short range strategies that can be undertaken by the Reservation to further promote implementation. This work represents the long range vision for land use on the Reservation, and as such, represents the values and aspirations of the Red Lake Tribal Council and Reservation residents.

Overall Goals

Following are overall goals that describe the general aspirations of the Red Lake Nation. These provide a framework that describe the desired future of the Red Lake Reservation, and act as a guide for future action.

1. MaintainandenhancetherichculturalandhistoricaltraditionsoftheRedLake Nation.

2. Createandmaintainahealthy,vibrantcommunitythatprotectsitsnaturalresources, valuesallofitspopulation,andembracesgrowthandchange.

3. ProvideresidentsoftheRedLakeReservationwithabroadrangeofchoicesin lifestyle,economicopportunity,housing,andrecreation.



Land Use Objectives and Policies

Objective#1.PromotepatternsoforderlydevelopmentthatefficientlyutilizestheReservationsinfrastructureandpromotestheReservationsoverallgoals.

Policies

a. Encourage growth in and adjacent to existing communities so residents have good access to services and facilities.

b. Promote new, small neighborhood-like settings for residential development that promote a sense of community among residents and provide a safe living environment.

c. Reserve specific areas for different uses to accommodate projected demand.

d. Promote the development of residential areas with different densities that provide choice to residents.

e. Develop sewer and water extensions in selected areas near Redby, Red Lake, Little Rock, and Ponemah to serve slightly higher density residential development.

f. Create minimum performance standards for residential development that promote quality housing and neighborhoods.

g. Develop management tools, resources, and processes that assist the Reservation in proactively guiding growth that is projected to occur over the next 20 years.

h. Create new residential areas in and near all communities to accommodate the projected growth.

i. Encourage infill in existing residential areas that are served with central sewer and/or water.

j. Protect collector and arterial road function through the management of access to new development, and by implementing management access strategies in existing development areas that have access and safety problems.

k. Create the groundwork for a Zoning Ordinance, Capital Improvement Process, and Building Codes that reflect the desired future for Red Lake and create a structure through which these ordinances and codes can be enforced.

l. Plan for Open Space/Community Space within each residential development within each district.

Objective#2.Maintainand,wherenecessary,enhancetheenvironmentalqualityoftheReservationthroughthewiseuseandstewardshipoftheReservationstimber,water,wetland,andothernaturalresources.

Policies

a. Protect lakes by enforcing the shoreland protection ordinance that is outlined later in the future development maps and in the Special Protection Approach section.

b. Identify priority timber management areas and restrict new development in these areas.

c. Enforce regulations that prohibit wetlands from being drained or filled.

d. Protect streams through setbacks outlined in the future land use maps.

Objective#3.ProvideabroadrangeofeconomicopportunitiesforindividualsandbusinessesontheReservationinwaysthatarecompatiblewithlongtermenvironmentalquality.

Policies

a. Earmark land in Redby adjacent to and just west of the existing industrial park site for industrial park expansion.

b. Earmark land on the southern border of the Reservation adjacent to Trunk Highway 89 for commercial activity adjacent to the new Casino.

c. Identify small areas in Redby and Red Lake for future potential commercial activity expansion.

Objective#4.PreservetheReservationsrichculturalandhistoricallegacyforfuturegenerations.

Policies

a. Complete and maintain a comprehensive inventory of cultural and historical sites on the Reservation.

b. Implement strategies to protect existing family burial sites.

c. Integrate an archeological/historical reconnaissance survey into the revised land assignment process, as well as into the process of proactively developing new residential areas.



The intent of this section is to present a land use plan for the Red Lake Reservation that implements the previously identified policies to address the goals of the Reservation. Included in this section is a future land use map that is a spatial representation of those policies. A series of maps are provided, with one showing most of the Reservation, while other insert maps provide more detail in more intensively developed areas.

The accompanying narrative provides a description of each type of use and the development pattern that is proposed for that use. Included are sections for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development, as well as a section that provides an overview of proposed low impact development areas and special protection lands. Each of these sections provides a summary of the needs and issues for each use, and a narrative that describes the approach taken to identify appropriate development patterns for that sector. Prior to each section is a short overview that discusses the overall proposed development pattern on the Red Lake Reservation.

Overview

As the enclosed set of maps demonstrates, the proposed future land use development pattern builds on the existing development pattern on the Reservation. It is proposed that nearly all of the intensive development remain in close proximity to Trunk Highway 1 and Lower Red Lake, with much of the new development being accommodated in areas with close proximity to the four main communities on the Reservation, and close to available infrastructure. Areas with extensive, but low density residential development are proposed for infill for continuing residential development, while new areas that have well drained soils, are adjacent to existing residential activity, and have good access to infrastructure are proposed for new residential development.

Generally, new areas for commercial development are proposed in Redby and Red Lake adjacent to existing commercial development, and land for industrial expansion is proposed adjacent to the existing industrial site within Redby. The only exception to this is a substantial area reserved on the south boundary of the Reservation adjacent to Trunk Highway 89 where a casino is being built. This area around the casino could serve as a potential commercial corridor that captures the traffic that will be going to the new casino. Ideas ranging from a golf course to a movie theatre and shopping area have been discussed for this area.

Large areas of the Reservation are designated for low impact activity or for timber management purposes. These areas are generally south of the existing intensive development area and south of Lower Red Lake, or west of Upper and Lower Red Lake. These areas have generally poor road access.

Following is more specific narrative for each that describes in some detail the different uses proposed for the Red Lake Reservation Future Land Use Plan.



Residential Development Summary of Needs and Issues

Thereisaneedforapproximately1,500acresofnewresidentiallandand500homesites. The previously completed demographic analyses, supplemented by discussions with local staff, indicate that there will be a need for approximately 500 new home sites over the next decade. The demand could exceed this number should more land become available.

Thereislikelytobeademandfordifferentdensities,includingsomeatadensitythatcanaccommodateextensionsofsewerandwater. Under our current development policies we allow for approximately 2.5 acres per house but we need to rethink our development strategy and allow for higher densities that would allow for the more economical provision of central sewer and water.

ThereisaneedtocreateresidentialdevelopmentpatternswithintheReservationthatwillpromoteasenseofcommunityamongneighbors,preserveroadsystemsafetyandprovidegoodaccessibilitytoinfrastructureandservices. The existing linear pattern of development not only causes safety problems along Trunk Highway 1, but is difficult to serve with a variety of services, and tends to create isolated residential units that do not allow the sense of community to be developed. New development patterns must create real neighborhoods that can grow in a social, as well as physical sense. Extensive community meetings should be arranged for every new housing development and space for parks and community centers should be planned into every development.

Thereissignificantdemandforhousingdevelopmentinallfourdistricts. While the most demand for housing is in the Redby and Red Lake districts, as evidenced by the waiting list developed by the HRA (which is over 500 people), there are also a substantial number of individuals desiring a home within the Little Rock and Ponemah districts.

Approach

The areas that are targeted for future residential development on the accompanying maps include areas that are now substantially residential, as well as new, adjacent areas that have good infrastructure access and are, at present, vacant. In the residential districts, first, second and third priority areas are identified, based on extensive community involvement meetings and the involvement of district representatives from their respective districts. The first priority development areas are those that should be considered first for new developments, with the second priority areas developed on an as needed basis. This development plan is phased to accommodate the extension of sewer and water lines within each district and will allow for the infrastructure to be built as new housing areas are created.

In the Little Rock district, the first priority development area is west along Trunk Highway 1, and is just west of the new Little Rock housing development.

In the Red Lake district there are a number of potential areas for new development. First priority areas include an area just east of the Red Lake community east of the walking shield road north of where the new wastewater treatment plant is to be located. This phased development pattern continues along the proposed walking shield extension that will allow for water and sewer lines to be continued eastward eventually connecting into the Redby water and sewer infrastructure allowing for the Redby sewage treatment ponds to be decommissioned and that area to be reclaimed for future housing and institutional uses.

In the Redby community, the top priority area is directly west of the existing Redby community, with areas just west and east of the community of Redby as second and third priorities.

Finally, the top priority in Ponemah is directly north and east of the community and directly east of an existing built up residential area across the road.

In addition, there is substantial potential for infill development in those areas shown as light orange on the map and described as phase 3 in each district. These existing residential areas have relatively low density development, and there appears to be many open lots that would be available for residential activity. It is estimated that up to one-quarter of the new residential activity could take place as infill development in existing residential areas.



Commercial Development Summary of Needs and Issues

ThereisaneedtoreservelandwithinthecommunitiesofRedLakeandRedbyforpotentialnewcommercialdevelopment.The amount of growth presently occurring on the Red Lake Reservation suggests that there may also be demand for additional commercial activity within the next 10-15 years. It is desirable for the Reservation to reserve land that is appropriate for this use, while protecting residential and other areas from inappropriate commercial development. These inappropriate types of commercial development should be outlined in the proposed zoning code.

TheconsolidationofcommercialactivitiesinboththeRedLakeandRedbycommunitiesisadesirableandappropriatestrategy,withthesebusinesseslocatedwithinthecommunitycore,ifpossible.The aggregation of commercial activities will make for convenient access for residents of the Reservation. The consolidation will also ensure that conflicts between different commercial activity and other types of uses will be minimized.

Approach

In Red Lake, it is proposed that land near existing commercial development just west of the Tribal Council headquarters and north of Trunk Highway 1 be reserved for commercial development expansion. Part of this area contains vacant commercial property that could be redeveloped, and there also appears to be some vacant land next to the grocery store/gas station complex that could be used for commercial expansion. Consolidating commercial activity within this area will be convenient for residents of the community and also prevent the spread of commercial development to other, less appropriate areas.

In addition, it is proposed that existing vacant commercial property in Redby also be reserved, along with a small amount of adjacent land, for new commercial development. This area is visible from the highway, and is an appropriate place for any new potential commercial activity that could take place.

There appears to be less demand for new commercial activity and land within the communities of Little Rock and Ponemah, and therefore no new land is being reserved for this type of activity. However, if circumstances change, it is suggested that land adjacent to new commercial activity, or adjacent to other governmental services centers, be targeted for this type of growth.

Finally, a new gaming facility at the south entrance to the Red Lake Reservation is being built adjacent to Trunk Highway 89. Although we do not know the exact kinds of commercial activity that will be built the plan should reserve space around the gaming facility for this purpose.



Industrial Development Summary of Needs and Issues

TheambitiouseconomicdevelopmentplanoftheRedLakeReservationsuggeststhatsignificanttractsoflandbereservedforthistypeofuse.The Red Lake Nation is committed to increasing economic and job opportunities for its members. These ambitious plans require that land be set aside for future industrial expansion.

ThefocusofnewindustrialexpansionshouldcontinuetobeontheRedbycommunity.Nearly all existing industrial activity within the Red Lake Reservation takes place within the north end of the Redby community. This appears to be an appropriate place for expansion, and already offers several potential redevelopment sites. The area reserved for industrial expansion should have good access to roads, sewer and water, and should maximize the use of existing land set aside for that purpose. While new land may be needed for industrial expansion, there appears to be significant land already targeted for industrial purposes that is underutilized. This underutilized property should provide an initial focus for industrial expansion plans. Although this area is going to serve for our industrial expansion we should also remain cognizant that our wells which we are using to serve the three communities of Red Lake, Redby, and Little Rock are located under our industrial park area and any industrial activities must be environmentally responsible with the protection of our water in mind.

Approach

Land is proposed to be set aside on the north edge of the Redby community for new industrial expansion. There is significant land is this area already used for this activity, although much of it appears to be underutilized. In addition, there were plans that were made in the past to expand industrial activity at this site and to the west. Plans were completed but never implemented to further develop our industrial area and can be found at the Tribal Planning office. Although this type of expans

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