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<br />" <br />~' <br />.' <br />~1 Project Understanding and Approach <br />~) <br /> <br />~\ <br /> <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />. <br />. <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />J <br />~ <br />t <br />~ <br />. <br />~ <br />.. <br />~ <br />~ <br />. <br />.. <br />. <br />~ <br />~ <br />t <br />~ <br />~ <br />~ <br />. <br />~ <br />. <br />~ <br />~ <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br /> <br />Ramsey's Natural Resource Inventoty <br />will bea key component of the City's <br />planning efforts, fonning the <br />foundation for land use into the <br />b.Jture. <br /> <br />ft C/{y of Ramsey . <br />Nal.'l./Jal Kesourr;es Inventoty <br /> <br />o Natural Resources Inventory Key Component in <br /> <br />Planning for Future Land Use <br /> <br />Ramsey lies along the Mississippi River and within the quickly developing <br />corridor between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. The City hosts a range of <br />desirable natural features, including: <br /> <br />~ Unique landforms <br />~ Qualit;y natural communities <br />~ Rare plants and animals <br /> <br />Ramsey has experienced significant growth in recent years and is <br />anticipated to nearly double in size by 2020. As the City grows and the <br />importance of the North Star commuter rai/line expands, Ramsey will <br />increase its prominence as a center for business and residents. <br /> <br />The City recognizes the pressure this growth will place on its natural <br />resources, and is wisely moving to complete a sound, science-based <br />inventory of existing resources. This inventory is a key component of <br />your planning efforts, and will form the foundation for land use far into <br />the future. ObjectiveS/goals of the NRI include: <br /> <br />~ Locating and field evaluation of: <br />~ Natural areas <br />~ Open space with public value <br />" ~ NatiJral areas with restoration potential <br />~ Identifying potential/suitable greenway corridors <br />~ Ranking and .prioritizing sites for possible public acquisition, <br />conservation easements, land banking, or similar measures <br />~ Guiding policy development <br />~.. Enabling protection, connection and restoration of important natural <br />areas <br />~ . Providing information for parks, open space, trails, and greenway <br />planning <br /> <br />Within most communities there is a strong interest on the part of citizens <br />to maintain a high quality of life. Along with efficient, responsive <br />government services and good schools, preserving natural communities <br />and open spaces is vitally important to a communif:}'. Natural resources, <br />open space, and trails are important amenities when people are <br />choosing where to live. <br /> <br />Natural areas and open spaces provide opportunities for active and <br />passive recreation, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas and buffers between <br />developed areas, and can serve as landmarks or distinguishing features <br />for the local community. It has also been shown that property values <br />increase in close proximity to natural open spaces. <br /> <br />Urban growth is a,/so important to the well being of many communities. <br />HO"Yever, where growth occurs in environmentally sensitive areas, the <br /> <br />4 <br />