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land use policies that create a more compact land use pattern can increase choices to <br />residents, reduce energy consumption, protect public investments in infrastructure, lessen <br />development pressures on habitat and open upace, provide benefits to public hea|th, and <br />create more sustainable communities. Innovative land use policies can create amore <br />compact region resulting in more efficient use 0four infrastructure investments, cost- <br />effective extension of urban oerviceo, and preservation of natural and agricultural areas <br />within the region. <br />Development can harm both the <br />quantity and quality ofthe region\u <br />water resources. Aomore land area <br />iopaved over, less water percolates <br />into the ground to recharge aquifers. <br />Greater volumes ofutorrnvvater <br />runoff and the pollutants in that <br />runoff impact water quality. Land use <br />patterns that integrate natural areas <br />into development atthe site level <br />add tolivability, and help avoid costly <br />otormvvatermanagement projects. <br />Planning and development processes <br />must consider what affects our groundwater resources to ensure that we do not deplete <br />those resources and that we take advantage of opportunities to recharge our groundwater. <br />~_~~�~��~_~�________- <br />------- --- -------- <br />���� <br />The effects of climate change transcend community boundaries and are felt throughout <br />our region, whether aoflooded farmlands, modified growing seasons, rising energy costs, <br />or storm or even sanitary sewer systems overloaded by intense summer storms. The built <br />environment is a primary contributor to climate change, resulting from the energy used in <br />homes and businesses, and our travel behaviors which result from our pattern of regional <br />land use development. <br />Communities are reducing their contributions to climate change and mitigating its impacts <br />through a variety of measures, including: energy use, managing and reusing stormwater, <br />mitigating inflow and infiltration into sanitary sewers, developing in more c0rnp8c1 land use <br />patterns, and reducing automobile dependency. These measures help communities better <br />prepare for more frequent extreme weather events and other expected climate impacts that <br />can drain limited local resources and threaten the region'ocompetitiveness and viability. <br />Council role <br />* Incorporate water SuSt8 n8bi|itv considerations in all 8r88S of Council policy and actions, <br />including overall development patterns and housing planning. <br />p Use the C0unCi|\sinvestments and planning authorities t0help meet statutory goals for <br />reductions inregional greenhouse gas emissions. <br />* Collaborate with the Environmental Initiative, chambers of commerce, and others to work <br />to keep the metropolitan air out of non -attainment status. <br />"TWo:omwrmmes <br />