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downturn in the economy, enrollment in programs like the Agricultural Preserves Program and <br />the Green Acres Program, and increase in profitability for farming. <br />The Agricultural Preserves Program (Minn. Stat. 473H) was enacted by the Legislature in 1980 <br />with the purpose of maintaining "viable productive farm operations in the metropolitan area."92 <br />This program provides tax benefits for the land owners with properties of at least 40 acres in <br />size, along with long-range planning protections in the comprehensive plans and ordinances <br />from local governments to protect farming operations. The Green Acres Program, established in <br />the late 1960s, provides similar land owner tax benefits, particularly to those with small parcels <br />(at least 10 acres), but does not include the restrictions in local land use plans and ordinances <br />for properties to be eligible. Enrollment in these programs varies by county (Figure 4), but <br />otherwise largely mirrors the locations of prime agricultural lands shown in Figure 2. <br />Aggregate Resources <br />As development expanded, the region found that a key ingredient for development was under <br />threat.93 Access to deposits of aggregate resources — crushed, rock, gravel, and sand — was <br />being lost due to new development on or near the deposits. Aggregate resources are needed <br />for construction not just of new roads and buildings, but also for maintenance and repair. <br />Accessing these resources locally reduces the costs for local construction projects, compared to <br />shipping resources in from outside of the region. In considering staging areas for new <br />development, it will be important for local communities to continue to plan for aggregate <br />resource extraction prior to development where viable deposits remain accessible, as mapped <br />in Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular No. 46.14 Where deposits are overlain by <br />Regionally Significant Ecological Areas, or other locally protected natural resource areas, the <br />Council prioritizes habitat preservation over aggregate extraction. <br />Role of Regional Parks <br />It is difficult to overstate how much the regional park system supports the region's quality of life <br />and protection of high quality natural resources. In the 2012 annual survey of metropolitan <br />residents, nearly half identified parks, trails or the natural environment as the most attractive <br />feature of the region. The regional parks system provides recreational opportunities, and <br />resources such as the Rice Creek Chain of Lakes Regional Park in Lino Lakes or Lebanon Hills <br />Regional Park in Dakota County contribute to the preservation of important ecological and <br />natural features. Increasingly, the regional park system is seen as an amenity to retain and <br />attract new businesses and residents; and many people are using regional trails for commuting. <br />The 2040 Regional Parks Policy Plan sets the direction for protection and growth of the <br />regional parks and trails system. The Metropolitan Council does not own or operate parks and <br />trails, but through a variety of funds dedicated to regional parks, supports ten regional park <br />implementing agencies. This collaborative partnership has created a system of regional <br />12 Laws of Minnesota 1980, chapter 566, sec. 1. <br />13 In 2001, the Minnesota Legislature amended the Metropolitan Land Planning Act (M.S. 473.859) to <br />require local comprehensive plans to address aggregate deposits where they remain available. <br />14 The Council provides this information in digital format for use in GIS for local planning and analysis <br />purposes. <br />DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT <br />Last revised: February 21, 2014 68 <br />