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<br />Exhibit 2 <br /> <br />Purpose <br /> <br />This book was prepared specifically for residents of Ramsey by the members of the Ramsey Environmental <br />Policy Board. Wetlands are all around us in Ramsey and are a critical part of the natural ecosystem that <br />includes plants, animals, insects and humans. As the ones who have the most influence on wetlands, it is our <br />job as humans to protect and conserve them as much as possible. This book explains what wetlands are, their <br />value and how to protect them. In 2005, the city of Ramsey took a step toward conserving our natural <br />heritage when it adopted a wetland buffer ordinance. A summary of the ordinance and how it is applied are <br />also included in this guidebook. <br /> <br />Table of Contents <br /> <br />· What is a Wetland? <br />· Why Are WetIands Important? <br />· What are the Different Types of Wetlands? <br />· What are Wetland Buffers and what Benefits do they Offer? <br />· Ramsey's Wetland Buffer Ordinance <br />· Ramsey's Four Management Classifications of Wetlands <br />· What can be done if a Wetland or Wetland Buffer has been Damaged or Destroyed? <br />· Wetlands & Wetland Buffers Do's and Don'ts <br />· Ramsey's Baseline Data <br />· Wetland Water Cycle???????????????????????????????????? <br />· Suppliers of Native Seeds <br />· Comparison of Wetland Buffer Effects on Runoff <br />· Additional Resources <br /> <br />What is a Wetland? <br /> <br />When most folks think about wetlands, the first thing that comes to mind is a swampy, marshy area full of <br />birds, mud and cattails. An area like that is definitely a wetland, but it's only one of several types. Other <br />types of wetlands look different and might not even have surface water for all or part of the year. Some <br />wetlands support trees, some support shrubs and grasses while others are even farmed. <br /> <br />In order to be considered a wetland, the Minnesota DNR says it must meet three criteria: <br />1) It must have standing water or be wet within 12 inches of the ground surface during all or part of the <br />growmg season; <br />2) It must have soils that are considered "hydric" (meaning it was developed in wet conditions) <br />3) It must support mostly vegetation adapted to wet soil conditions. <br /> <br />References: <br /> <br />Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources website: <br />http://www.bwsr.state.fill.us/wetlands/publications/wetlandregulation2.html <br />