Laserfiche WebLink
City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Update <br />Chapter 11: The Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area <br />11. THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRITICAL AREA CORRIDOR/MNRRA <br />In 1973 the Minnesota Legislature enacted the Critical Area Act to protect and preserve areas <br />of significant natural and cultural resources. In 1976 the stretch of the Mississippi River from <br />Ramsey and Dayton to just south of Hastings was designated a critical area by Governor <br />Anderson, continued as a critical areas in 1979 through Executive Order 79-19 by Governor <br />Quie, and made permanent by the Metropolitan Council in 1979. This order stated the <br />following purposes for designating this part of the river as a critical area: <br />a) To protect and preserve a unique and valuable state and regional resource for the benefit <br />of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens for the state, region and nation: <br />b) To prevent and mitigate <br />irreversible damage to <br />this state, regional and <br />national resource; <br />c) To preserve and <br />enhance its natural, <br />aesthetic, cultural, and <br />historical value for the <br />public use; <br />d) To protect and preserve <br />the river as an essential <br />element in the national, <br />state and regional <br />transportation, sewer <br />and water and <br />recreational systems; <br />and <br />e) To protect and preserve <br />the biological and <br />ecological functions of <br />the corridor. <br />Figure 11-1 Mississippi National River Recreation Area <br />Source: Comprehensive Management Plan <br />CORRIDOR 6O1DROARY <br />1.5.951RRi Rn1iORnL RIVER 5 <br />RECREATION AREA <br />The order also established guidelines and regulations for developing critical area plans that <br />address the intentions of Executive Order 79-19. These plans were created by local units of <br />government and reviewed by regional and state government agencies to ensure consistency <br />with state laws. <br />The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) program was established in <br />1988 under Public Law 100-696 to coordinate efforts to protect, preserve and enhance the <br />Mississippi River, its natural features, cultural heritage, scenic vistas, quality of water and the <br />City of Ramsey 2030 Comprehensive Plan Page 11-1 <br />