Agenda - Council - 10/22/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-340- The health of wetlands relies on maintaining a delicate pH and nutrient balance. Waters that are too acidic typically exhibit a decrease in species diversity. Phosphorus and nitrogen run-off into lakes, streams, wetlands, and water holding ponds increased the amount of algae in a body of water. One pound of phosphorus will grow 300-500 pounds of algae bloom. But development not only affects our water qualitY, it also reduces our water supply. As impervious surfaces replace fields and fbrests, rain water can't seep into the ground t° replenish our aquifers. Instead, it is carried away by storm sewers. According to a new study by American Rivers, Natui'al Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and Smart Growth America, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area is one of the 20 metro areas with the greatest land conversion rates from 1982 to 1997 (American Rivers et at. 2002). The study also estimates that the potential amount of water lost to infiltration annually ranged from 9 billibn tO 21.9 billion gallons for the. Minneapolis-St. Paul area. To reverse this trend, we must identify and protect critical aquatic areas and discourage new roads and developments that alter natural hydrologic functions. We are concerned that these potential impacts have not been carefully reviewed for the Villas at Meadow Point development. Therefore, we urge the City of Ramsey to conduct and EAW to help guide its decision-making process. Furthermore, the EAW must took at cumulative impacts of this development along with the impacts of other similar developments in the area. References Dahl, T.E. 1990. Wetlands losses in the United States: 1780s to 1980s. U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, D.C. American Rivers, NRDC, and smart Growth America. 2002. Paving our way to water shortages. Washington, D.C. Attachments Photos, Blanding's turtles found in vicinity of proposed development Photos, tree cover of site proposed for development I I I ! I I I' I