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<br />every piece of literature they could find and based their recommendations on the research that <br />has been done to date. ' <br /> <br />Councilmember Look questioned ifthe research being conducted by WPS is objective. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson replied yes, they have a technical advisory committee made up of two professors <br />from the University of Minnesota that are intricately involved. The study will go to peer review <br />journal for publication after the lab results are completed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he would like to see that study and the discussion that results from <br />it, and what the community takes as fact and what they question. He comes from a science <br />background and any report can be rewritten to say what you want. It is what the community <br />hammers out from that report and that the report stands under fire. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen stated it is correct that there is no federal or state mandate for the <br />City to implement this buffer. It originated by a citizen request that Ramsey's character is the <br />wetlands and the concern that the quality of the wetlands is being diminished through some of <br />the development. Secondly, if Councilmember Look is interested in seeing more of the <br />information, she recently attended a presentation led by the DNR with people that have been <br />studying buffers on lakes and rivers. There were multiple studies presented that have come from <br />peer review journals. There is a growing consensus and pile of evidence that buffers do work <br />with respect to shoreland development in addition to farmland. She would be happy to provide <br />Councilmember Look with those references. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Elvig stated there is no question in his mind that there is a mandate from the <br />citizens of this community to preserve what they can in their natural resources. If there will be <br />development in this community they need a buffering of the wetlands for mitigation. A survey <br />was put out to the residents about what they think is important and a lot of the response was that <br />it is the wetlands. This community likes their wetlands. This ordinance was put through because <br />of that, and there was a lot of debate. The citizens are responsible for their property and they are <br />excellent stewards of the property. He does not think the developers are as good at being <br />stewards of the property these people have been taking care of. They need to find common <br />ground between what will be developed and what is saleable and the value of that sale. The <br />wetlands are adding value to the properties that are for sale; some people would like to see a <br />Class 1 wetland in their back yard as opposed to a Class 3. This is a mandate from the citizens; <br />the ordinance has been put in place and the question now is what the buffer is and how to <br />classify that. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated he supports preserving the quality of the wetlands, but wants to <br />understand what they are trying to accomplish by the classifications. He asked if the wetlands <br />have all been delineated at this point. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Elvig explained when a property is developed it is mandated that a wetland <br />delineation be completed to determine what is buildable. At that time the edge is drawn and the <br />delineation is identified. <br /> <br />City Council / April 24, 2007 <br />Page 20 of 38 <br />