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e. That it is necessary to regulate the use of lands surrounding wetlands. <br />Based on currently available scientific literature, buffer strips are <br />beneficial to maintaining the health of wetlands. These strips of land <br />surrounding wetlands protect their shorelines from erosion, while <br />serving to filter- sediment, chemicals and other nutrients before storm <br />water discharges into the wetland. Buffer strips are. also beneficial in <br />providing habitat for wildlife. <br />f. It is in the best interest of the general health and welfare of the City to <br />achieve no net loss of wetlands. within the community. It is the intent <br />of this Section to avoid or minimize the alteration and destruction of <br />wetlands where possible. When. wetlands are altered or destroyed, <br />mitigation must be provided to recreate the functions and values of the <br />lost wetland. <br />g. Vegetative buffer strips ameliorate and filter runoff and discharge into <br />wetlands. Wetlands are instrumental in maintaining and improving <br />-both water quantity and quality for aquifer recharge. In addition to the <br />mechanical and physical function of impeding sediment run off and <br />transport; buffer strip and- wetland vegetation serve to metabolize or <br />sequester nutrients as well as contaminants and sediment. The ability <br />to support microbial life, macro invertebrates, and common wildlife is <br />a, proximate indicator of the value and quality (`health') of the <br />wetlands and their associated buffer region. In turn, the water quality <br />desired for human use and human health is the functional result of <br />biological processes in wetlands and associated buffers. <br />9.26.03 Purpose and Implementation. <br />Subd. 1. Purpose. Through the adoption and enforcement of this Section, <br />the City. shall promote the general health, safety, and welfare of its residents by both <br />conserving and protecting wetlands and requiring sound management practices and <br />mitigation as provided for in the WCA when development occurs in the vicinity of <br />wetlands. Through the implementation of this Section, the City seeks to accomplish the <br />following purposes: <br />a. Satisfy the requirements of the WCA as it may be amended and, <br />thereby achieve no net loss of wetlands within the City; <br />b. Preserve the natural character of the landscape through the <br />maintenance of wetland ecosystems; <br />a. Preserve scenic viewsheds; <br />d. Establish greenway corridors in the City when combined with <br />appropriate upland features; <br />-162- <br />