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XIII. 2001 Comprehensive Plan Amended February 26, 2002 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION/RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Two sound principles that represent a strong consensus of the Ramsey Community are protecting the environment and managing or preserving the natural resource base. The results of the community-wide vision session and community survey reinforced the importance of these principles as seen in the following two "Guiding Principles": Ramsey is: A Place with a Sustainable Clean and Healthy Environment It is important for residents, business, and industry to be environmentally sensitive and make a conscientious effort to maintain a clean and healthy environment. We must pass on our clean air and clean water to our children and future generations. All future development should minimize the negative environmental impacts on the region's ecological system ensuring that the built environment is in harmony with the natural environment. A Place to Preserve Natural Resources Ramsey has an abundance of natural resources. As development occurs, these resources become ever more threatened. It is important to preserve and protect areas that may be suitable to development but more appropriate for their natural use such as wetlands for storm water infiltration, slope preservation for erosion control or woodlands and prairies for wildlife habitat. Encouraging environmentally sensitive design and development will help preserve these natural resources. A. Existing Conditions Ramsey is fortunate to have an ample amount of natural resources and open space areas and a community attitude that is increasingly concerned about the environment. The inventory of natural resources and open spaces include a variety of wetlands, woodlands, farmlands, parkland and two golf courses. Many native plants and trees are evident in the community. Early settlers cleared much of the land for farming in the early settlement days, but since then residential development has been the main force behind the loss of native vegetation allowing for the introduction of new species into the Ramsey community. The following is a limited description of the natural features and their characteristics that can be found in the Ramsey community and surrounding areas of the Anoka Sandplain. This inventory includes information that has been gathered at a regional level including sources such as U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Department of Natural Resources, U. S. Army Corp of Engineering, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Metropolitan Council and other federal, state and regional resources. Information has also been obtained by local studies conducted by the City of Ramsey. 1. Wetlands The City of Ramsey has an abundance of wetlands in a variety of wetland types. The following inventory includes two sources of data: the National Wetland Inventory (NWl) and the DNR's Protected Waters Map (see Figure XIII-1). The National 2001 Ramsey Comprehensive Plan Page XIII-1 Amended February 26, 2002