Conservation board readies NRI adoption and open‑space RFP as public presentation plans resume

The Grand Island Conservation Advisory Board on March 26 said it has submitted a resolution recommending formal adoption of the Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) and is preparing an RFP and funding strategy to move toward an open‑space plan.

Committee member (S3) said the group circulated a resolution and confirmed receipt by town staff; she expects the resolution to be on the town board agenda April 6. “We just wanna be able to adopt this and start using the NRI,” she said, urging next steps that include drafting an RFP and identifying grant funds.

Staff member (S6) described the Open Space Index (OSI), last updated in 2019 for parcels of 10 acres and larger, and proposed asking vendors to price an OSI update as an optional line in the RFP so the committee can decide whether to fund a more detailed index including 5‑acre parcels to better capture corridors and smaller conservation opportunities.

Members debated parcel thresholds and connectivity weighting for the index. “We would ask for a separate budget line for updating the OSI,” Staff member (S6) said, adding that including smaller parcels could significantly increase the dataset unless the RFP specifies how developed lots are treated.

The board discussed public outreach: the NRI documents and mapping are on the town GIS site, but an earlier public presentation was not recorded properly. Staff member (S6) said the town would need to cover a repeat presentation by the original presenters (Robin and Jenny) if the board wants a recorded public launch.

Other items discussed included a Parks proposal for a kayak launch on East River that the comp‑plan review board found appears consistent with the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), and planning for Arbor Day events on April 25.

Next steps: the committee plans to finalize RFP scope and budget lines, follow guidance from the town’s grant staff, and coordinate a recorded public presentation that introduces the NRI as the open‑space planning process begins.