Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/06/2014

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protection. Managing and using our water resources wisely will sustain the region now and into the future. Aggregate—i.e., gravel and crushed rock —is another resource vital to our area. Regional transportation systems and the building industry need large volumes of aggregate for construction and maintenance. The local availability of aggregate helps reduce construction costs for roads, bridges and housing. Because aggregate is a limited resource critical to the construction industry, it is critical to avoid building over aggregate until aggregate has been removed. Analysis that was published in 2000 found that as of 1997, 45% of the region's aggregate deposits had either been built over by development or already mined.2 To protect soils, water and aggregate, the natural resources that are the foundation of economic prosperity, the Council will: • Encourage local governments to promote and preserve agricultural land. • Maintain and update the regional water supply plan to promote a sustainable water supply for the long-term. • Incorporate water sustainability considerations in all areas of Council policy and actions, including overall development patterns, water management, transportation, and housing and regional parks. • Require local governments to address water sustainability in their local comprehensive plans. • Work with regional and local partners to identify subregional and local solutions to water sustainability that balance regional needs and local objectives. • Implement the statutory requirement that local jurisdictions with aggregate resources within their borders address their goals, intentions, and priorities concerning aggregate in their local comprehensive plans. Planning for and investing in infrastructure, amenities and quality of life needed for economic competitiveness While Thrive MSP 2040 identifies economic competitiveness as a new emphasis, the Council's long-range planning and infrastructure investments already advance regional economic prosperity. The benefits of the Council's regional approach include planning for the efficient movement of people and freight, providing cost-effective and efficient wastewater treatment and contributing to a quality of life and cost structure that attract and retain businesses and talent. In fact, today the Council's wholesale wastewater treatment rates are as much as 40% lower than comparable regions. Regional transportation systems provide efficient, effective and reliable access to materials and regional, national and international markets. Time spent in transportation —for raw materials or finished goods —does not add value to businesses, so strategic locations require access to efficient transportation. The region's bustling international airport, rail and river freight systems, regional highways, and growing transit system all work together to support our vibrant regional economy. 2 Minnesota Geological Survey Information Circular 46, "Aggregate Resources Inventory of the Seven - County Metropolitan Area, Minnesota", 2000. DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Last revised: February 21, 2014 15