5.7 PCSR 07-25-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EXCERPT FROM A ENVIROMENTAL QUALITY BOARD REPORT: A QUESTION OF BALANCE MANAGING GROWTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT; NOVEMBER 1993 • Population growth in I n t rod u ct i o nMinnesota averaged 7.1 • percent in the 1970s and 7.3 percent in the 1980s. Source: U.S. Census Minnesota prides itself on the quality of The study reveals a fragmented planning • Minnesota's population is its natural resources and its economic vi- and land-use management system that projected to increase 15.5 tality. Nationally prized lakes, rivers, leaves natural resources vulnerable to percent between 1990 and landscapes and recreational areas make poorly managed land-use changes. The 2020. Source:Office of the State the state an attractive place to live, work study found that there are few common Demographer and play. But population and develop- goals and mechanisms for long-term re- ment pressures are mounting in source protection. ■ The fastest growing Minnesota's most environmentally sensi- counties outside of the tive areas, and this growth can pose a To better protect Minnesota's natural en- seven-county metropolitan threat to the state's valuable natural re- dowment, policy makers must address area are projected to be sources.Decisions about land use—how problems in the following five key issue Sherburne (72 percent), land is used,changed or developed—are areas: Wright (33 percent), key to the state's natural resources. Benton (30 percent), • Cooperation and coordination: Co- Roseau (28 percent) and ordinated land-use planning and Olmsted (22 percent). Minnesota has seen nearly two decades resource protection is key to prevent- Source:Office of the State of relatively constant growth. Some areas ing growth-related pollution. There is Demographer — most notably the Twin Cities, Roch- a need for greater cooperation and ester, Winona and St. Cloud — have coordination among all units of gov- grown every decade since 1910 and are ernment. projected to continue growing. A broad swath of counties from southeastern to • Vision and planning: Poorly planned .orthwestern Minnesota is projected to or unmanaged growth can impose sig- ave above average growth through the nificant future environmental and year 2020. economic costs on local governments and the state. Minnesota's current Population growth often is associated with growing business opportunities and increased employment.At the same time, Peak Population Year: Historical and Projected however, development puts new pres- sures on land, air and water resources. New homes and industries require roads, • lik sewage treatment, police and fire protec- tion and other urban services. Poorly �t . managed growth can increase the cost ofvw community services and threaten the en- . Census Years vironment. 111111 , ❑ 1940 or Before A Question of Balance examines the en- IE 1950 or 1960 vironmental problems related to growth. allmill It is based on a study by the Environ iiiri1970 or 1980 mental Quality Board that focused on three environmentally sensitive regions r`f ® 2020 of the state and brought together demo- a graphic information, analysis of 6 governmental roles and environmental 1.11 ;� land-use data to better understand •nd rowth-related issues. Source:State Demographer I IENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD I I