Agenda - Council - 11/27/2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mississippi River Critical Area History - Division of Waters: Minnesota DNR Page 3 of 4 Area Corridor and MNRRA Programs to protect and preserve the corridor. Management of the Mississippi River Critical Area Corridor was transferred from the Environmental Quality Board to the Department of Natural Resources in 1995. DNR Roles The DNR has three primary roles for the Mississippi River Critical Area Program. The DNR has undertaken the mandate of reviewing existing ordinances that affect lands within the Mississippi River Critical Area Corridor for their compliance with state critical area standards and guidelines. Technical assistance for ordinance development will be provided to local communities to ensure adoption and approval of a compliant state critical area ordinance or any ordinance amendments. DNR will also provide individualized technical assistance for amending existing ordinances or developing proposed ordinances that will be consistent with the voluntary MNRRA Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) policies. In addition, adoption or amendment of plans and ordinances affecting lands within the Mississippi River Critical Area Corridor and relating to Executive Order 79 -19 purposes and standards [see Standards and Guidelines F ] are effective only after approval by the DNR. The DNR reviews the plans and ordinances to ensure their consistency with the provisions of Executive Order 79 -19, following an evaluation by the Metropolitan Council. In communities where critical area plans and ordinances have become effective, the local governmental unit also must notify the DNR area hydrologist at least 30 days before action is taken for all development applications or variances requiring a public hearing or discretionary action. In communities where plans and regulations have not been adopted or approved, the DNR is also to be notified about additional types of projects listed in the Interim Regulations. DNR will review and comment on the project's compliance with critical area and state requirements and MNRRA policies, as well as provide technical assistance as requested. Notice of the final action is to be sent to the DNR. In addition to the Mississippi River Critical Area Program, the DNR also works with local units of government and citizens on three other land use management programs: Shoreland Management ___ Floodplain Management and Wild and Scenic Rivers For further information on all of DNR Waters programs, see the DNR Waters Programs Index. Metropolitan Council Role The Metropolitan Council reviews existing plans that affect —14 : / /www•dn •state.mn.us /waters/ watermgmt _section/criticd— area/history.ht nl 11/13/2007