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INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />CRITICAL AREAS DESIGNATION <br /> <br />In 1973, the Minnesota Legislature passed the CRITICAL AREA ACT, estab- <br />lishing a process for planning and managing areas of regional or state- <br />wide significance. Before an area can be designated as a Critical Area, <br />the following criteria must be met: <br /> <br /> (]) The area must be of significant regional and statewide public <br /> interest. <br /> <br /> (2) The area is one of a limited number in the state or region. <br /> <br /> (3) The area must be described specifically enough to permit de- <br /> lineation by legal description.i/ <br /> <br />The 1973 Act specifies that a local unit of 9overnment, a Regional Develop- <br />ment Commission, or the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) may <br />recommend an area for designation as a Critical Area. Recommendations for <br />Critical Areas are reviewed by the EQB and if the proposal is viewed favor- <br />ably, it is forwarded to the Governor who may designate all or part in the <br />final recommendation. <br /> <br />Designating the Mississippi River as a Critical Area, from Ramsey (Anoka <br />County) to Ravanna (Dakota County) (see Map 1) was proposed by the Metro- <br />politan Council. After a series of public hearings, the Governor designated <br />the Mississippi River Corridor, in the Twin Cities, a Critical Area on <br />November 23, 1976. <br /> <br />1. Minnesota State Planning Agency, Information Handbook for the Twin City <br /> Metropolitan Area Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, January, 1977, p.1. <br /> <br />-1- <br /> <br /> <br />