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Sustainable development initiatives can <br />cover a wide range of issues, but share the <br />benefit of lessening the future environmental <br />impacts of communities on the land, air, and <br />water in their area. Lakes, streams, rivers, <br />wetlands, wildlife habitat, shoreland areas, <br />and other natural resources can be protected <br />and enhanced in quality through local <br />efforts. Energy efficiency and renewable <br />energy production reduce the energy <br />demands of a community and the <br />environmental impacts of energy <br />production. By more efficiently using public <br />infrastructure and minimizing resource <br />consumption, the costs to individuals, <br />business, and government can be reduced. <br />New and expanded business and job <br />opportunities are also generated by the <br />"green" products and services needed to <br />implement sustainable development <br />initiatives. The ideal result of well -planned <br />sustainability, natural resources <br />management, and conservation efforts is a <br />city that is more efficient in the use of its <br />resources and infrastructure, creates fewer <br />environmental problems for future <br />generations to address, and is a more <br />desirable home for residents and businesses. <br />Response: The League of Minnesota <br />Cities supports federal, state, and <br />regional efforts to promote sustainable <br />development where the effectiveness of <br />the proposed practice is supported by <br />sound science, and as long as those efforts <br />do not supersede the authority of local <br />governments to determine their own <br />policies regarding land use and related <br />issues. <br />Providing technical assistance and <br />financial incentives, and streamlining <br />regulations to encourage local <br />governments and private property owners <br />to engage in sustainable development <br />practices, as well as assisting in education <br />and information efforts for the building <br />industry and the public, are the best <br />means to generate successful results. <br />These programs should focus on <br />outcomes, allowing flexibility in how to <br />best meet those outcomes in different <br />locations and situations. The League <br />opposes mandates that limit the authority <br />of cities to determine what practices will <br />best meet the needs of their communities. <br />The League supports sustainable <br />development efforts that meet the above <br />criteria, including programs proposed in <br />the following areas: <br />a) Shifting public resources, services, <br />investments, purchasing power, and <br />procurement toward more <br />economically and environmentally <br />sustainable outcomes where those <br />solutions are cost effective and <br />appropriate. <br />b) Using local land -use planning and <br />zoning to protect and enhance limited <br />natural resources, and reduce the <br />impacts of growth and development <br />on local infrastructure. <br />c) Promoting efficient and renewable <br />energy sources. <br />d) Encouraging sustainable building <br />design, construction, and operation <br />strategies focused on integrated <br />design, energy efficiency, water <br />conservation, stormwater <br />management, waste reduction, <br />pollution prevention, indoor <br />environmental quality, and the use of <br />low -impact building materials and <br />products. <br />e) Supporting sustainable economic <br />development, such as brownfield <br />clean-up, on -site stormwater <br />management, and sustainable business <br />practices and technologies. <br />f) Assisting and recognizing local <br />governments that take actions to <br />reduce greenhouse gas emissions and <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2018 City Policies Page 16 <br />