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A number of local efforts are underway ground-water quality in as little as five or t will strengthen the growth manage- six years. ent framework in the area. Crow Wing County is drafting a comprehensive plan The rapid growth in the 197Os resulted in based on the concept of sustainable de- a number of problems for local govern- velopment. The plan recognizes that ments, including poorly installed and future economic growth depends on pro- sited on-site sewage systems, increased tecting and preserving the natural stormwater runoff and loss of agricul- resources that make the area attractive. tural land. The large lot sizes and Cass and Crow Wing counties have scattered development pattern increased worked together to formulate their local the costs of providing urban services, water plans.In addition,lake associations such as sewer and water, fire protection in the area have actively promoted wise and road maintenance. land use and protected water quality. Most jurisdictions have since adopted growth management controls, ranging Mississippi Corridor Site: from comprehensive plans to innovative Growing Pains The Mississippi Corridor Site contains Mississippi Corridor Site seven cities and five townships in Sher- burne and Wright counties, straddling the Mississippi River. Part of the area lies e a over the Anoka Sand Plain Aquifer. It is -.0 u N one of the fastest growing areas in the Twc 7.ec e- state, with a 157 percent increase in � ulation since 1970. Nearly half of the 2'° c Ke N r2 I sing relies on on-site sewage systems _ and individual wells. _? Development pressure in the corridor v^, comes from several sources. Demand is u,„_ high for rural residential developments Ace-:t.' c :y on large lots, especially in the wooded areas of central Sherburne County and near the lakes in both counties. Younger Source:U.S. Census home buyers and commuters increas- ingly seek moderately priced housing on the fringe of the urban areas and in rural Mississippi Corridor Site: Population Change 1970 — 1990 areas. Proximity to major commuter routes makes such developments attrac- tive, and residents can use the services of Kt `- ' �` , E . nearby cities without paying higher city " CftB2 VL OCLNTY taxes. 1 tA High population density, rapid popula- 1,1'.".:, 14 tion growth, extensive use of on-site x4< rb sewage systems and private wells, wide- .o,...NTy %.441 •- g Y � ,, �°�, spread irrigated agriculture and sensitive � 7, soils all increase the risk of round- and _ �_ 1" '' ',es surface water contamination. There al- ai •' iodyis evidence of wells with elevated ate levels, attributed to irrigated agri- ■ culture. Research has indicated that suburban development may affect Source:U.S. Census ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY BOARD 9