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Thrive Principles <br />Thrive identifies the principles of integration, collaboration, and accountability to carry out the <br />Council's work. The three principles reflect the Council's efforts to integrate policy areas, <br />support local governments and regional partners, and promote and implement the Thrive <br />regional vision. <br />Integration. Integration is the intentional combining of related activities to achieve more <br />effective results, using multiple policy tools to address complex regional challenges and <br />opportunities. <br />Collaboration. Collaboration recognizes that shared efforts advance our region most effectively <br />toward shared outcomes. Addressing the region's issues requires collaboration because no <br />single entity has the capacity or authority to do the work alone. <br />Accountability. For the Council, accountability includes a commitment to monitor and evaluate <br />the effectiveness of our policies and practices toward achieving shared outcomes and a <br />willingness to adjust course to improve performance. <br />Response of the 2040 Water Resources Policy Plan to Thrive's Policy <br />Direction <br />Prosperity and Livability <br />Water resources have strategic importance in achieving economic growth, competitiveness, and <br />high quality of life. The Council's regional strategy balances the demands of growth with <br />protection and management of our lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands and groundwater. <br />The Council recognizes the need to coordinate decisions about water supply, surface water <br />management, wastewater collection and treatment, land use, transportation, housing, and <br />natural resources. Regional transportation and wastewater systems investments and services <br />help shape growth patterns. Unplanned growth can put a strain on natural areas, availability and <br />quality of groundwater, the cost of services and other resources. Maximizing the benefits of <br />readily available wastewater treatment, water supply and stormwater infrastructure plays a key <br />role in supporting the competitive position of the region. <br />Accordingly, this Policy Plan includes policies and implementation strategies on growth that <br />focus our wastewater system expansion on supporting the orderly and economic redevelopment <br />in the urban area and urban centers, and development in the suburban, suburban edge, and <br />emerging suburban edge. It also includes policies and implementation strategies that promote <br />the livability of the region through access to adequate water supplies for drinking water and <br />promoting the protection and restoration of our water resources for recreational use. <br />Equity <br />An important consideration of this Policy Plan is its impact on all populations in the region, <br />including low-income populations, communities of color, persons with disabilities, and persons <br />with limited English proficiency. Equity connects all residents to opportunity and creates viable <br />housing and transportation options for people of all races, ethnicities, incomes and abilities so <br />that all communities share the opportunities and challenges of growth and change. For our <br />region to reach its full economic potential, all of our residents must be able to access <br />opportunity that leads to success, prosperity, and a high quality of life. <br />5 <br />