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<br />Exhibit 1 <br /> <br />Why are Wetlands Important? <br /> <br />Wetlands provide direct benefits to the environment in which humans are a critical part of. The benefits of <br />wetlands vary according to the classification of wetland, the season and the year. Benefits of wetlands <br />include: <br />· Floodwater Detention-wetlands reduce flooding by slowing down flood waters and <br />providing temporary storage of large amounts of water from storms and snowmelt. The <br />protection wetlands provide reduces damage to roads, bridges, crops and private property. <br />· Water Quality-wetlands filter and improve the water quality of our lakes, streams and <br />drinking water. Wetlands trap sediments and filter pollutants, which results in cleaner lakes <br />and cleaner groundwater for consumption, industry and agriculture. <br />· Economic and Recreational Opportunities-wetlands provide economic opportunities <br />through recreation such as hunting, fishing or bird-watching and add aesthetic value for <br />homeowners. They are used for development of specialty products such as vegetable <br />farming, peat mining, sod farming, minnow harvesting and timber harvesting. Residential <br />properties that include a wetland or are adjacent to a wetland are typically valued higher. <br />· Erosion Control-wetland vegetation reduces erosion along lakes and streams by reducing <br />the forces associated with waves and currents. <br />· Fish, Wildlife and Waterfowl Habitat-wetlands provide critical habitat for a variety of <br />fish and wildlife species including amphibians, songbirds, reptiles, fish and ducks. Many <br />species depend on wetlands as breeding and rearing locations, especially small seasonal <br />wetlands that are wet only part of the spring. The Minnesota Department of Natural <br />Resources reports that 43 percent of endangered or threatened plants or animals in the U.S. <br />depend on wetlands for survival. <br /> <br />Putting a "price" on wetlands or assigning them a certain value is difficult to do because the long-term <br />benefit they provide is immeasurable. The term "priceless" is used by many because of the importance of <br />clean water, flood protection, wildlife habitat and recreation in our everyday lives. <br /> <br />The City of Ramsey has found that it is in the best interest for the health and welfare of the City to achieve <br />no net loss of wetlands within the community. Avoiding or minimizing the alteration and destruction of <br />wetlands is a goal of the City of Ramsey and this guide book is part of that goal. Another goal is the creation <br />and use of wetland buffers, as they are necessary to maintaining healthy wetlands. These strips of land <br />surrounding wetlands protect their shorelines from erosion, while serving to filter sediment, chemicals and <br />other nutrients before storm water discharges into the wetland. Buffer strips are also beneficial in providing <br />habitat for wildlife. <br /> <br />References: <br /> <br />Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources website: <br />http://www.bwsr.state.mn.us/wetlands/publications/wetlandregulation2.html <br /> <br />MN Wetlands Conservation Act <br />