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XI. <br /> <br /> 2001 Comprehensive Plan <br /> Amended February 26, 2002 <br /> <br />THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CRITICAL AREA CORRIDOR/MNRRA <br /> <br />In 1973 the Minnesota Legislature enacted the Critical Area Act to protect and preserve areas <br />of significant natural and cultural resources. In 1976 the stretch of the Mississippi River from <br />Ramsey and Dayton to just south of Hastings was designated a critical area by Governor <br />Anderson, continued as a critical areas in 1979 through Executive Order 79-19 by Governor <br />Quie, and made permanent by the Metropolitan Council in 1979. This order stated the <br />following purposes for designating this part of the river as a critical area: <br /> <br />a) To protect and preserve a unique and valuable state and regional resource for the benefit <br /> of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens for the state, region and nation: <br /> <br />b) To prevent and mitigate irreversible damage to this state, regional and national resource; <br /> <br />c) To preserve and enhance its natural, aesthetic, cultural, and historical value for the public <br /> use; <br /> <br />d) To protect and preserve the river as an essential element in the national, state and regional <br /> transportation, sewer and water and recreational systems; and <br /> <br />e) To protect and preserve the biological and ecological functions of the corridor. <br /> <br />The order also established guidelines and regulations for developing critical area plans that <br />address the intentions of Executive Order 79-19. These plans were created by local units of <br />government and reviewed by regional and state government agencies to ensure consistency <br />with state laws. <br /> <br />The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) program was established in <br />1988 under Public Law 100-696 to coordinate efforts to protect, preserve and enhance the <br />Mississippi River, its natural features, cultural heritage, scenic vistas, quality of water and the <br />environment and recreational opportunities it provides. Within the Twin Cities Metropolitan <br />Area, MNRRA includes 72 miles of river and 54,000 acres of land stretching from the City of <br />Ramsey and Sherburne County border to just south of Hastings. <br /> <br /> Figure XI-1 Mississippi National River Recreation Area <br /> Source: Comprehensive Management Plan <br /> <br />2001 Ramsey Comprehensi~ <br />Amended February 26, 2002 <br /> <br />Page XI-1 <br /> <br /> <br />