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<br />ITJ)~~~U <br /> <br />· 30-515(7)f-this section could again reference "other environmentally sensitive <br />areas or natural areas identified on the Natural Resources Inventory." <br />. Section 30-516(b)-this section could provide an additional density bonus if the <br />developer agrees to include more than 50% of the area as protected open <br />space to preserve high quality areas identified on the NRI, or could provide an <br />additional density bonus if the developer agrees to create and implement a <br />restoration plan for NRI areas that would benefit from removal of exotic species <br />or other restoration activities. <br /> <br />New Ordinances <br />The City of Elk River has a good basic set of environmental ordinances in its code. <br />Based on the results of the NRI, the City could consider adopting one or more new <br />ordinances to provide specific protection for wetlands and steep slopes. <br /> <br />Wetland Buffers Ordinance <br />The NRI identified a number of unique wetland resources of high quality in Elk River. <br />Many communities in the Metro Area a similar situation have chosen to adopt a <br />Wetland Buffers Ordinance, based on the inventory of these resources. Buffers (areas <br />of undisturbed native vegetation) are one of the best ways to protect wetlands as <br />development occurs in the surrounding area. Buffers help to filter pollutants from <br />runoff, prevent erosion, provide critical habitat for species that live or breed in <br />wetlands, and buffer wetlands from disturbance. Buffers may also provide an area for <br />walking trails, and may be linked together to create natural resource and recreation <br />corridors. <br /> <br />Buffer sizes are typically related to the quality of the wetland-high quality wetlands <br />are given wider buffers than low quality wetlands. Sizes may vary from 10 or 20 feet <br />for low quality wetlands, to 100 feet for the highest quality wetlands. The MPCA <br />provides suggested guidelines for wetland buffer sizes based on wetland types and <br />quality. <br /> <br />While the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act provides protection for the wetland <br />itself, it does not include a requirement for buffers. Instead, the MPCA recommends <br />that local communities consider requiring buffers based on the local situation. <br />Wetlands vary so much within the state that it is often best to have a local inventory <br />using MnRAM methodology, or similar, and consider local conditions and values as a <br />basis for this process. <br />