Agenda - Council Work Session - 02/23/2021

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wildlife, fisheries, aesthetics, and recreation. Development of the watershed for residential, commercial, and land uses (see Section 2.3) has resulted in the loss of wetlands and natural vegetation. However, many wetlands, areas of biological significant, and other natural areas remain (see Figure 2-9, Figure 2-14, and Figure 2-15). Most natural and semi -natural areas are located within city and regional parks and are protected from future development. Within the watershed, the LRRWMO protects wetland from further loss and degradation through administration of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) and LRRWMO permit program (see Section 5.3.2.1.). Many of the hydrologic, water quality, and habitat benefits achieved by wetland and shoreland areas are dependent on the presence of buffers — upland, vegetated areas located adjacent to wetlands and shoreland areas. Establishing buffers in developed areas may be difficult, as existing structures may be located within the desired buffer area. Redevelopment offers an opportunity to establish adequate buffers in areas that are already developed. The LRRWMO requires buffers to be maintained around wetlands during construction, but does not require permanent wetland buffers. During Plan development, the TAC noted a need for continued wetland education. The development and preservation of buffers along the Rum River and Mississippi River are regulated by state shoreland requirements (see Section 2.9.1 and Section 2.9.2) and enforced by cities at the local level. The CAC cited lack of adequate vegetated buffers along portions of the Rum River as a specific concern. The LRRWMO assists member cities, as requested, in addressing buffer and shoreline issues on a case -by - case basis. The ecological functions, quality, and recreational benefits of natural resources may be negatively impacted by aquatic and terrestrial invasive species — non-native plants and animals that outcompete and displace native species. The MDNR established the Invasive Species Program in 1991. The program is designed to implement actions to prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the impacts caused by invasive species to Minnesota's ecology, society, and economy. The MDNR provides technical support to counties, local governments, and their partners to develop AIS prevention strategies. The MDNR also maintains a list of waters infested with specific AIS — no LRRWMO waterbodies are listed as of 2020. The LRRWMO will continue to work with its member cities, Anoka County, and the MDNR to identify, track, and manage future AIS issues within the watershed. During Plan development, member cities were polled and did not identify known invasive species within the watershed. Maintaining clean, safe groundwater supplies is critical to human and environmental health and to the economic and social vitality of communities. Residents within the LRRWMO obtain their drinking water from municipal groundwater wells and private domestic wells. Most private wells are located in the surficial aquifer, which is sensitive to contamination within the watershed (see Figure 2-6). Potential sources of contamination include leaking underground storage tanks, unsealed wells, failing or non- performing subsurface sewage treatment systems (SSTS), infiltration of contaminated surface water, and others (see Section 2.10). Owners of private wells may not be aware of water quality issues (which may 3-7