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2001 Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 Many opponents of MNRRA legislation perceive it as another unneeded layer of government; however, MNRRA does not add any further regulatory powers to the river corridor. Rather, MNRRA seeks to enhance and build upon the types of policies and regulations set forth many years ago in such state legislation as the Critical Areas Act (and Executive Order 79-19), the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, or the Floodplain Management Act. The partnership between the Metropolitan Council, the National Park Service and the Department of Natural Resources is intended to assist local units of government in providing adequate controls to ensure orderly and environmentally friendly development and preservation of lands within the Critical Area Corridor. To accomplish this, the plan calls for two tiers of involvement. Achieving Tier I status simply means meeting the requirements of the state legislation to protect critical areas. Tier II goes beyond what is required by state statutes and begins to address issues relating to image, heritage, education, recreation and orderly economic development. Although Tier II is a voluntary stage in the plan, it is required in order to be eligible for federal funds to assist in implementation of the plan. Ao Purpose and Intent of the Critical Area Plan The Critical Area Plan accomplishes several things. It establishes a vision for the Mississippi River Corridor, consistent with the wants and needs of the Ramsey Community and the policies and requirements set forth by Executive Order 79-19 and Public Law 100-696 (MNRRA). It provides for goals and policies that improve public access points to the river, protect water quality and other natural resources, provide for recreational opportunities and preserve historic and cultural elements. In addition to satisfying the requirements of Executive Order 79-19, the plan meets the objectives of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, Shoreland Management Act and Floodplain Management Act. The plan also acts in a similar capacity of the Comprehensive Plan in that it provides general direction to the decision-makers and staff of the City on how to handle river corridor decisions in an informed and efficient manner consistent with regional goals and policies. This plan closely follows the directions laid out in the Comprehensive Management Plan for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area1. The plan achieves the required elements of the Critical Area Act (Tier I) and identifies goals, policies and strategies to protect, preserve and enhance the Mississippi River Corridor beyond the required elements of the Critical Area Act (Tier II). Like the CMP, goals and policies were developed through a public participation process including two city-wide vision meetings, one of which solely focused on quality of life along the Mississippi River2, and a community wide phone survey sampling conducted by Decision Resources, Ltd. ~ "Comprehensive Management Plan Mississippi National River and Recreation Area" 1994 Mississippi River Coordinating Commission and National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. This plan was a result of the MNRRA Public Law to serve as a general management plan for MNRRA. : As part of the Comprehensive Plan process, a city-wide vision session was held September 9, 1997 to begin the planning process. This session was attended by nearly 100 residents and business people from the community. Another city-wide vision session was held April 9, 1998 to focus on the Mississippi River. This meeting was attended by nearly 40 residents. Summaries of both meetings are attached in Appendix XX. 2001 Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Page XI-2 Amended February 26, 2002