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Introduction <br />Overview <br />This document explains the need and reasonableness of proposed rules governing the Mississippi River <br />Corridor Critical Area (MRCCA), and summarizes the evidence and arguments that the Minnesota <br />Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is relying upon to justify the proposed rules. It has been <br />prepared to satisfy the requirements of Minn. Stat. § 14.131 (2015) and Minn. R. 1400.2070 (2015). <br />The purpose of the proposed rules is to establish districts and minimum standards and criteria to guide <br />land use and development within the MRCCA, consistent with the purpose of Minn. Stat. § 116G.15 <br />(2015). Upon adoption, the proposed rules will replace Executive Order 79-19, which has guided land <br />use and development within the MRCCA for the past 35 years. <br />The proposed rules cover a variety of topics including: <br />• the administration of the MRCCA program <br />• the establishment of districts within the MRCCA, taking into account: <br />o the appropriate number of districts within the MRCCA in each local government unit <br />o existing local plans and policies <br />o existing local ordinances and conditions <br />o key identified resources and features to be protected or enhanced within the MRCCA <br />• the establishment of minimum development guidelines and standards, taking into account: <br />o the intent of each district <br />o existing local plans and policies <br />o existing local ordinances and conditions <br />o key identified resources and features to be protected or enhanced <br />o select uses <br />o structure height and setbacks <br />o private and public infrastructure <br />o protection of bluffs and very steep slopes <br />o vegetation management <br />o land alteration and stormwater management <br />o lot size, subdivision, and design standards <br />Many of these topics are currently covered by Executive Order 79-19 and are included in existing local <br />MRCCA plans and ordinances. <br />The DNR has made extensive efforts to obtain input and information to develop the districts, standards, <br />and criteria in the proposed rules. Since 2009, the DNR has met numerous times with local governments <br />in the MRCCA (both individually and in groups), convened geographically -based multi -interest work <br />groups, held numerous public informational meetings, published two Requests for Comments with <br />1 <br />