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Appendix A —Ordinances <br />Updated Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) <br />City of Ramsey, Minnesota <br />c. W tlands vary significantly in the d gro that th y hav b n alt red. W tlands within <br />the City exhibit gr at variati ns in their fl ral div rsity, quality f wildlif and fish ry <br />habitat, d gree f fluctuati n in resp ns t st rms, the extent t which th ir sh r linos <br />hav be n alter d r or dod, and their relativ value in pr testing wat r quality. <br />Thor f r , th City has dot rmin d that it is noc ;nary and beneficial t clarify <br />w tlands based up n th ir functi ns and values f r purp s s f stablishing r lativo <br />levels fpr tecti n. <br />d. A substantial am unt f w tland d gradati n r sults fr m s dim ntati n and nutrient <br />1 ading related t c nstructi n pr jects. Theref re, the City finds it necessary t require <br />extra rdinary measures t pr v nt such c nstructi n related d gradati n. <br />e. That it is necessary t regulate the use f lands surr unding wetlands. Based n <br />currently available scientific literature, buffer strips are beneficial to maintaining the <br />health f wetlands. These strips f land surr unding wetlands pr tect their sh relines <br />fit nu water discharges int the wetland. Buffer strips are ale beneficial in pr viding <br />f. It is in the best interest f th general h alth and welfar f th City t achieve n n t <br />lo,,,, of wetlands within the community. It is the intent of this Section to avoid or <br />minimize th alterati n and destructi n f w tlands whoro p s„ib1e. Wh n wetlanth <br />g. <br />values of the lost wetland. <br />Vegetative buffer strips ameliorate and filter runoff and discharge into wetlands. <br />Wetlands aro instrumental in m int fining and impr ving b th water quantity and <br />quality f r aquifer recharge. In additi n t the m chanical and physical functi n f <br />impeding s dim nt run ff and transp rt, buff r strip and w tland v g tati n s rve t <br />m tab lizc r s quest r nutri nts as well as c ntaminants ands dimont. The ability t <br />supp rt micr bial life, macr inv rtebratos, and c mm n wildlife is a pr ximat <br />indicat r f tho value and quality (`health') f tho wetlands and their ass ciatod buff r <br />regi n. In turn, the water quality desired f r human use and human health is the <br />functi nal r sult f bi 1 gical pr c s„os in wetlands and az:, ciat d buffers. <br />Subd. 1. Purpose. Thr ugh the ad pti n and of rc m nt f this Socti n, th City shall <br />pr m to the general health, safety, and welfare f its residents by b th c nerving and pr testing wetlanth <br />occurs in the vicinity f wetlands. Thr ugh the implementati n f this Secti n, the City seeks t acc mplish <br />the following purposes: <br />a. Satisfy the requirements f the WCA as it may be amended and, thereby achieve n <br />b. Pres rve the natural charact r f the landscape thr ugh the maint nanc f w tland <br />eeesysto <br />iRs <br />Appendix A <br />February 20, 2015March 6, 2015 <br />Page 66 <br />