Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 11/18/2004

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· -. 2001 Comprehensive Plan Amender!February 26, 2002 Goals for the Mississippi River Critical ,&rea 1'he ~'ol[owing are the City, of Ramsey's general goals for the Critical Area Corridor: To protect, preserve and enhance scenic, recreational and environmental values of the Critical Area Corridor. To ensure development is compatible to (he' dyer from an environmental and scenic standpoint. To build public support for preservation of the river corridor through education and pt, bile involvement in planning projects. To continue the Mississippi Regional trail corridor through the Criticai Area Corridor in Ralnsey and to link the greater community to the corridor through the trail system. 5.' To improve pnblic awareness and involvement in preservation efforts of the river corridor and to maintain and respect private property owners rights. To establish a continuous permanent open space corridor that reflects the proposed green,,vay corridor and preserves natural resources, environmental features and scenic vistas. 2. Critical Area Policies a) Protecting the Environment A critical concern to residents in Ramsey is the protection and restoration of its natural resources, which leads to .preserving the rural character of a suburban community. This notion is particularly important when applied to the Mississippi River and the Critical Area Corridor. Critical Area Corridor/MNRRA Policy In regards to environmental protection and natural resource management, it is the policy oF the City to: Minimize direct overland runoff in future development and maintain natural watercourses such as ditches, wetlands and floodplains to handle existing storm water runoff and slow the process of surface water infiltration. Ensure urban best management practices are strictly adhered to during and after construction projects including the replacement of all vegetative cover, which is removed for construct/on purposes. Adopt development controls consistent with National Urban Runoff Progam ~NURP) standards and the MPCA's' Urban Best .Management Practices to reduce m.',npoint source pollntant loading in strata water runoff. These sl;;mdards should be applied to botln existing anti future development. ,¥1inimize site alterations and protect naturai watercourses, bortomJand forests, prairie::; ~md woodlands as part oi-' the development plan dwough such means :.t:-; :onser'; ation _-:.t-zements )r !and preservation techniques. 33