Ordinance - #05-27 - 10/11/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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of these wetland characteristics provide valuable education and recreation resources. Wetlands vary significantly in the degree that they have been altered. Wetlands within the City exhibit great variations in their floral diversity, quality of wildlife and fishery habitat, degree of fluctuation in response to storms, the extent to which their shorelines have been altered or eroded~ and their relative value in protecting water quality. Therefore, the City has determined that it is necessary and beneficial to classify wetlands based upon their functions and values for purposes of establishing relative levels of protection. A substantial amount of wetland degradation results from sedimentation and nutrient loading related to construction projects. Therefore, the City finds it necessary to require extraordinary measures to prevent such construction- related degradation. eo That it is necessary to regulate the use of lands surrounding wetlands. Based on currently available scientific literature, buffer strips are beneficial to maintaining the health of wetlands. These strips of land surrounding wetlands protect their shorelines from erosion, while serving to filter sediment, chemicals and other nutrients before storm water discharges into the wetland. Buffer strips are also beneficial in providing habitat for wildlife. It is in the best interest of the general health and welfare of the City to achieve no net loss of wetlands within the community. It is the intent of this Section to avoid or minimize the alteration and destruction of wetlands where possible. When wetlands are altered or destroyed, mitigation must be provided to recreate the functions and values of the lost wetland. Vegetative buffer strips ameliorate and filter runoff and discharge into wetlands. Wetlands are instrumental in maintaining and improving both water quantity and quality for aquifer recharge. In addition to the mechanical and physical function of impeding sediment run off and transport, buffer strip and wetland vegetation serve to metabolize or sequester nutrients as well as contaminants and sediment. The ability to support microbial life, macro invertebrates, and common wildlife is a proximate indicator of the value and quality ('health') of the wetlands and their associated buffer region. In turn, the water quality desired for human use and human health is the functional result of biological processes in wetlands and associated buffers. 9.26.03 Purpose and Implementation. Subd. 1. Purpose. Through the adoption and enforcement of this Section, the City shall promote the general health, safety, and welfare of its residents by both conserving and protecting wetlands and requiring sound management practices and mitigation as provided for in the WCA when development occurs in the vicinity of wetlands. Through the implementation of this Section, the City seeks to accomplish the following purposes: