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ConsiStency with Standards and Guidelines for Critical Area Plans and <br />Regulations <br /> <br />A. Plan Elements <br /> <br />1. Environmental element <br /> <br />The plan contains an adequate inventory of woodlands, <br />floodplains, steep slopes and erosion problem areas. The <br />Ramsey Critical Area Plan contains adequate policies for the <br />protection and conservation of floodplains, wetlands and <br />natural drainage routes. The policies in some instances, as <br />indicated below, need expansion to provide better guidance <br />to local decision-makers and to be consistent with Critical <br />A~ea requirements. <br /> <br />The policies for the protection of steep slopes do not <br />distinguish between slopes of 12 to 18 percent and 18 <br />percent or greater. Policies refer to slopes "subject to <br />severe and moderate erosion", but these are not defined. It <br />is not clear whether the sloPe policies are to be applied to <br />riverbanks. If not, then specific policies should be <br />directed to4prevent riverbank erosion. The plan references <br />to shoreline property with riverbanks greater than 12 <br />percent do not provide specific policies directed at <br />preventing erosion. - <br /> <br />The plan recommends a policy that a storm drainage plan be <br />completed prior to urban development occurring within a <br />watershed, but the policiep~for the rate and quality of <br />runoff provide little guidance. A~so, it is not clear · <br />whether this policy applies, to the preparation of <br />comprehensive drainage plans for watersheds or proposed <br />developments. <br /> <br />'Policies on the maintenance of vegetative cover are also <br />unclear and seemingly inconsistent. The plan states that a <br />continuous vegetative cover is to be maintained. The plan <br />also states that clear cutting is prohibited except by <br />permit and depending on the slope and soil conditions. No <br />criteria for such conditions are set. Policies should <br />prohibit clear cutting along the river bank in the required <br />structure setback area. The city's proposed vegetation <br />management regulations should reflect these policies. <br /> <br />_ 2. Land use' element <br /> <br />As noted in the plan summaky, a small portion of the Ramsey <br />Critical Area adjoining the, City of Anoka is designated. <br />urban developed-reflecting the existing commercial and <br />residential uses-and the rest is designated rural open <br />space. See Map 1. The intent of the latter designation is <br />to reta'in the open, scenic and natural characteristics of <br />the laDds in the district. Much of this land <br />is in agricultural use or public open space. The <br /> <br /> <br />