An official website of the POLICY 5: Growth and natural systems
This policy states:
Direct growth away from sensitive ecosystems and water sources to prioritize protection of natural systems. Responsible management of growth can include practices which respect and value the region’s ecological assets. Considerations as to where and how development occurs can positively impact ecological health and accommodate development. Areas with high biodiversity or ecological significance require sensible land use approaches to development. The Met Council promotes development and land use stewardship that integrates natural systems in design and implementation. (Met Council/Local Government)
Actions
(Met Council) or (Local Government) or (Met Council/Local Government) are tags indicating responsibility for implementing the activity.
Prevent groundwater contamination from development, especially in vulnerable Drinking Water Supply Management Areas. (Local Government)
Community-wide growth shall consider water supply constraints in the management of growth and development across the region. (Met Council)
Develop regionally supported best practices to protect vulnerable regional priority waters and aquifers from development and restore water quality as part of development practices. (Met Council)
Assess development pressures that threaten terrestrial habitats, such as remnant prairie and oak savanna. (Met Council)
Develop regionally supported best practices to direct growth away from significant terrestrial habitats and incorporate habitat restoration into development processes. (Met Council)
Local water supply plans, as part of the local comprehensive plan, shall adequately demonstrate availability of clean, safe drinking water in areas where forecasted growth will be accommodated. (Local Government)
- Amendments to local water supply plans are needed when changes exceed the Met Council-adopted threshold for change. Guidelines will be established for comprehensive plan amendments after the 2050 plan reviews. (Met Council)
Encourage development design using best management practices for stormwater runoff from the site, including natural areas protection and use of green stormwater infrastructure, to protect any drinking water sources and surface water where sites may drain. (Met Council/Local Government)
Encourage cross-jurisdictional conversations related to water and terrestrial habitats to continue on a regular basis in a manner which includes all relevant partners including community development/planning staff as well as engineers and public works staff. (Met Council)
