1999 Correspondence - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

. e Natural and Cultural Resource Management Critical Area . There are policies to minimize overland runoff and improve the quality of runoff, but the city has not yet indicated that the minimum Metropolitan Surface Water Management Act requirements have been met with adoption of interim standards. Also, measures to reduce runoff should be added to site development policies (maybe tack onto site development policy #7). MNRRA . There are several natural resource policies but they should specifically address habitat and threatened and endangered species protection and wetland restoration, and support an un-interrupted 40-foot vegetated shoreline. Policies should be added to "increase and restore" habitat and biological diversity in development projects, use native vegetation in restoring denuded areas, and consult with DNR if a project could affect threatened or endangered species. . Although there are general policies on pollution prevention and pollution control (policies 17, 18, and 19 on p.112), the policies do not target areas with sensitive resources in the corridor. Some specific MNRRA guidelines are not addressed, such as reducing the use of salt on area roads and protecting stream banks and water quality from negative impacts of recreational activities. . The plan includes a policy to "promote the use and conservation of historic properties" and includes interpretation activities. It does not commit to protecting cultural resources and archaeological sites and consulting with Native American groups, when appropriate. Cultural resource protection in development reviews should be included in the natural and cultural resource policy section. Transportation and Public Utilities Critical Area . The plan includes some public utility policies and implementation steps to study Highway 10 and bridge crossings to make sure there is compatibility with corridor purposes. Policies should be added to address in the planning and design of public transportation facilities, consider provision of scenic overlooks and pedestrian crossings/facilities and access to land between the river and transportation facility and to ensure compatibility of transportation facilities and improvements with land and water use in the corridor. MNRRA . The proposed Highway 10 study provides an opportunity to address architectural design standards for the highway in the MNRRA corridor. Some of the language for pedestrian and bike access is in the transportation section of the plan and could be emphasized for the river corridor. (See NPS comments on underground utilities and increased connections to the river). CIP and Implementation There is a good implementation strategy, but add the five-year capital improvement program for all projects in the corridor, and city support of any county initiative related to the river corridor. Please add notification ofDNR in accordance with Critical Area and Wild & Scenic River requirements.