7.6 PCSR 03-11-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. � 11' Elk Elk River Comp ehensive Plan River Existing Natural Resource Information Natural resources can be defined as materials or substances such as gravel, forests, water, and land that occur in nature and can be used for economic benefit. This economic benefit can be characterized as the benefit of using rich gravel resources to support the local and state economy as well as preserving open spaces to enhance the community and wildlife. Elk River's natural resources, including the Elk and Mississippi Rivers, bluffs, lakes, wetlands and wooded areas, natural open space and views, all add to the unique and defining characteristics. As future development and redevelopment occurs, Elk River's challenge will be to link these new and redeveloped areas to its existing fabric, with an eye toward the existing natural resources. There are many sources of existing information available to the City in reviewing and developing a plan related to natural resources. These resources include the following: National Wetland Inventory (NWI): Mapping provided Minnesota Land Cover Classification System: As part by the US Fish and Wildlife Service that provides of the City's Natural Resources Inventory project, the general information about the location and type of existing land cover was mapped within the City using wetlands. The NWI information is shown in Figure 9-1. the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Public (MLCCS). This is a methodology standardized by Waters/Wetlands Inventory (PWI): The DNR has state agencies to classify land cover and identify jurisdiction over larger wetland and open water native plant communities. waterbodies. These water bodies are also shown on City of Elk River Natural Resources Inventory Figure 9-1. (2004): The Elk River Natural Resources Land use inventory: The City's land use inventory Inventory is incorporated by reference into provides guidance on proposed land uses for the the Comprehensive Plan. This report contains area. background information on the landscape history of Elk River as well as the results of the MLCCS Floodplain Data: The Federal Emergency survey. This data is more accurate and up to date Management Agency (FEMA) provides maps that than the County Biological Survey Data, although show the floodplain within a community. Generally, it should be noted that not all areas within the development is not allowed or is restricted in these City granted property access to field review the areas. The floodplain is shown in Figure 9-2. land cover. Minnesota County Biological Survey Data (Sites Connection opportunities map: The map was of Biodiversity Significance): The DNR, through developed as part of the 2004 Comprehensive the County Biological Survey, has identified areas Plan and provides information about potential with varying levels of native biodiversity that may greenway connections. contain high quality native plant communities, rare plants, rare animals, and/or animal aggregations. Natural Resource Inventory Conceptual A biodiversity significance rank (outstanding, high, Greenways/Corridors Map: A greenway is moderate, or below) is assigned on the basis of the generally defined as a linear corridor exhibiting number of rare species, the quality of the native plant a natural environment. Focus is on protecting communities, size of the site, and context within ecological resources and providing wildlife and trail the landscape. MCBS Sites that are found to be corridors. Secondary use is for trails, assuming disturbed are given the Biodiversity Significance rank that they can be integrated without compromising of "Below." Figure 9-3 shows this information. The the integrity of the natural systems. rating code is based on the data provided by the DNR Gravel Resources: Elk River is rich in gravel at the time of the survey and may or may not still be resources and gravel is an important natural applicable. resource for the economy of Minnesota. Chapter 9: Environmental Resources / 97