Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 03/16/2020

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MISSION STATEMENT Holistically conserve and enhance Anoka County's natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations through partnerships and innovation. VISION STATEMENT Strong partnerships. Innovative Solutions. Healthy environments GUIDING PRINCIPLES • Focus on long-term resource sustainability. • Make informed and ethical decisions. • Promote cost-effective and efficient resource management. • Partner with both public and private sectors. • Retain highly qualified, knowledgeable staff. • Utilize technology to achieve efficiency and enhance work products. • Keep natural resource issues visible in Anoka County. • Respond to opportunity and adapt to changing needs. • Develop diverse programs, partners, and funding sources. • Manage natural resources at the geographic scale that is most effective and efficient. • Utilize education and outreach in addition to technical and financial assistance to encourage natural resource stewardship. PERENNIAL AND EMERGING CHALLENGES Climate change, such as more frequent and intense storms, can significantly impact natural resource management. To manage natural resources effectively in this era of accelerated change, agencies must be prepared to adjust programs and services quickly and decisively in response to ever -evolving conditions and trends. Groundwater supply projections predict that areas of Anoka County will experience aquifer declines and localized supply issues within 20 years. Decreased surficial groundwater supplies will negatively impact water levels in lakes, streams and wetlands that depend on groundwater. As the recharge area for many of the aquifers relied upon by the Twin Cities to supply their water needs, Anoka County is an area where efforts to conserve water should be implemented. This can be done by reducing waste, reducing drainage, and increasing infiltration. 3