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<br />Mr. Peterson replied the DNR does not have such standards. The DNR only regulates work that <br />is below the ordinary high water level of the wetland. Regarding the difference in delineation <br />and a functions and values analysis, the process of delineating a wetland is to determine that all <br />three of the wetland parameters are present and to define the boundaries of the wetland. <br />Functions and values is looking at that area and all the various functions a wetland would serve, <br />such as wildlife habitat and water quality. The methodology that is followed is MnRAM 3.0, <br />which does not require going to the level of determining the boundary. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Elvig clarified the wetland quality determines the buffer width, which will take <br />place when a property is developed and the delineation line is determined. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen questioned if the wetland lines change through the process of succession. <br />He commented there are wetlands that are taken over by cattails and become uplands. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied a totally pristine undisturbed wetland should remain the same. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen commented a very substantial part of Bunker Lake was open water when <br />he was young and succession has moved into that water area. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Elvig indicated that is the whole reason to have a buffer. Pressure from <br />development starts to affect the wetland and you lose the lake and wetland. This buffer <br />minimizes the drainage and settlement that affects the wetlands. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated more than likely what Councilmember Dehen is seeing is related to <br />urbanization. As areas get developed some of the water that would go into the water table gets <br />diverted, which will have impacts on wetland. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated what they are faced with in Ramsey is a problem more closely <br />associated with invasive species that literally move in and take over. There used to be open <br />water that is closed off. Mr. Peterson will say the runoff from phosphates and things of that <br />nature lead to the increased growth of this type of vegetation, but he does not know that science <br />backs that up. There is research that phosphate does not wash to the wetland to the rate that the <br />environmental community believes it does. The people of Ramsey need to understand that there <br />is not state or federal mandate for this buffering in terms of implementing an ordinance or an <br />official map of the wetlands, and it will have a direct impact on property owners. From that <br />standpoint he would hate to see this as an issue where property owners' rights are reduced and <br />incrementalized over time, and these various steps have been taken to make sure property values <br />are reduced. If the City wants to acquire property, that is up to the City decision making process. <br />Councilmember Look shared comments made by County Commissioner Earhart regarding <br />property owners being responsible for their property, rather than the hammer of government. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson stated the functions of wetland buffers have been researched with grant money, and <br />that information will be coming out soon. There is nothing in the Ramsey's wetland buffer <br />ordinance that is contrary to that study information. There may be some communities that have <br />adopted buffer ordinances with much wider buffers that may be interested in the results. In the <br />past WPS has worked for a number of different cities on their buffer ordinances. They reviewed <br /> <br />City Council / April 24, 2007 <br />Page 19 of 38 <br />