Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 10/15/2018

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Comprehensive Management Plan (CMP) for the MNRRA was approved by the Secretary of the Interior. The CMP provides a management framework to assist the State of Minnesota and units of local government in the implementation of integrated resource management programs and to ensure orderly public and private development in the area. The CMP incorporates the state Critical Area p1ugiam and other state land use management programs by reference as the foundation for compliance with the CMP, and encourages voluntary state and local compliance with additional policies to protect and enhance the river corridor. The Mississippi River Critical Area Corridor and MNRRA are geographically identical. In 1991, the Minnesota Legislature designated the federal MNRRA as a state Critical Area by the enactment of Minn. Stat. 116G.15. 25d. A complete analysis of visual impacts is contained in Item 26 that follows. Summary of Environmental Impact. None are expected with regards to archeological, historical or cultural resources. The RTC site will be converted from over 350 acres of largely agricultural land to urban uses. This change reflects growth by the City of Ramsey in a manner contained within its 2001 Comprehensive Plan, as amended in 2002. The addition of new open space, trail connections and park land in an area previously not publicly accessible will be a benefit to the community. The addition of these features will be carefully coordinated with the proper agencies to assure compatibility. Mitigation element. Unidentified Resources. Various circumstances may lead to the discovery of unidentified historic or archeological resources within the project boundaries. When any such new discovery is brought to the attention of the developer or the City, an evaluation of the significance will be conducted and appropriate management measures will be devised in consultation with SHPO. Discovery does not mean that all work must stop. However, depending on the nature of the cultural resource and the activity's apparent effects on it, the developer and City will make reasonable efforts to avoid or minimize harm to the resource until it has been processed. Following are the procedures that will be followed when a discovery of what appears to be a cultural resource (historic or archaeological artifacts) has been made: (a) Contact the supervisor in charge immediately. If human remains are discovered, also refer to the below section, Unmarked Human Burial Sites. (b) The supervisor will contact SHPO immediately (651-296-6126). The supervisor will arrange for the site or the relevant portion of the site to be secured against further disturbance until a professional assessment of the potential finding can be made. 25-7