Agenda - Planning Commission - 03/06/2014

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inadequate to protect the region's water supply. Rather, the region needs to restore balance among water sources, maintain and enhance groundwater recharge and expand the use of conservation measures. To achieve our long-term vision of the region's prosperity and livability, our region's water resources must be sustainable, supported by a regional strategy that balances growth and protection to improve and maintain the quality and quantity of our water in our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and aquifers. The Minnesota State Legislature defines water sustainability as, "Water is sustainable when the use does not harm ecosystems, degrade water quality or compromise the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The Metropolitan Council is committed to collaborating with its partners to promote the long-term sustainability of the region's water resources and water supply. This regional strategy will balance growth and protection to improve and maintain the quality and quantity of our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and groundwater supplies. The Council will work with state, local and regional partners to provide for sustainable water resources through effective planning and management of water supply, surface water, and wastewater. To promote adequate and high quality ground and surface water supplies, the Council will: • Promote water sustainability in communities through the 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan and the Water Supply Master Plan, and through the review of local water supply plans, surface water management plans, comprehensive plans and comprehensive sewer plans. • Promote the wise use of water through optimizing surface water and groundwater use, conservation, reuse, aquifer recharge, and other practices. • Collaborate with partners, including providing technical assistance to local governments about wastewater, water supply and surface water management. • Address the reliability, resiliency, security, and cost-effectiveness of the region's water supplies. • Incorporate water sustainability considerations in all areas of Council policy and actions, including overall development patterns, water management, transportation, housing, and regional parks. • Identify subregional and local water sustainability solutions that balance regional needs and local objectives. The Council's 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan will advance water sustainability through specific policies for water supply, surface water management and wastewater. Providing leadership to support climate change mitigation, adaptation and resilience Over the long term, climate change will be one of the greatest threats to our region's ongoing prosperity and livability. Climate change threatens our continued orderly and economical development. Our region is already seeing rising temperatures and increased severe weather events. Climate change looms large as an issue with the potential to adversely affect the region in the absence of intentional and proactive planning. Responding to climate change takes three approaches: mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. Mitigation strategies focus on minimizing contributions to climate change — for example, reducing energy use that leads to greenhouse gas emissions. Adaptation strategies start from the premise that, despite mitigation strategies, climate change is already occurring and focus on how to change policies and practices to adjust. Resilience strategies recognize the difficulty of predicting what the impacts of climate DRAFT FOR PUBLIC COMMENT Last revised: February 21, 2014 30