The Future of Wetlands
As mentioned earlier, The Wetland Conservation
Act is the regulating authority when it comes to all of the wetlands in
Rice County. 
The Act, however, gives power to the local governments to enforce and
implement the Act as need be. The Department of Planning
and Zoning is responsible in Rice County for enforcing the Wetland Conservation
Act, who also sets goals for the County
in the Comprehensive Plan 2002. With use of the National
Wetland Inventory, GIS maps, and available data, Rice County has made
a point to run individual inspections with regards to wetland determinations.
One concern, however, is the priority in that wetlands will have when in comparison to development. Chapter 8 in the Comprehensive Plan address issues if wetland alteration is required, stating a mitigation plan must be approved by the Soil and Water Conservation District. The bottom line comes down to who has the say in what development is required, and if any development is required.
The arrival of 'big box' development also brings with it more environmental concerns. Increased parking lot space will simply add to the amount of runoff that fills our wetlands. Especially during Minnesota's winters, there will be a dramatic increase in salt and sand that runs through our wetlands. Even during summer months, blacktop will increase temperatures of runoff water, having dramatic effects to amphibians and reptiles that have low tolerance for temperature changes.
One area that is of little concern in terms of developing new land that may infringe on wetland viability is industrial growth. If we look at the example of Northfield, who recently lost two major employers in Fairway Foods and Ryt-Way, we see that these areas along with two other abandoned parcels have opened up 3.8 million square feet of industrial zoning. By taking the projected employment growth through 2015, in Northfield, of 1,238 new jobs and applying that to an average of 800 sq. ft of industrial space per employee,
then we get a need of 3.3 million sq. ft (Northfield
Comprehensive Plan 2001). With the vacant parcels available, Northfield
still has an excess of industrial space, and no extra development was required.
Adequate industrial sites have even been removed from consideration
because of possible environmental damage development could have.
The future of Rice Counties wetlands depends on the priorities and implementation of the policies and goals set in the Comprehensive Plan. Through the use of Board Councils and community based discussion panels, these ever changing priorities can easily be met. By continuing to recognize the importance of wetlands and carefully planning development jobs, the future of wetlands in Rice County will be one of longevity.
HOME
Wetland Importance
Wetland Studies
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Pictures taken from Costal Wetland Pictures
The Act, however, gives power to the local governments to enforce and
implement the Act as need be. The Department of Planning
and Zoning is responsible in Rice County for enforcing the Wetland Conservation
Act, who also sets goals for the County
in the Comprehensive Plan 2002. With use of the National
Wetland Inventory, GIS maps, and available data, Rice County has made
a point to run individual inspections with regards to wetland determinations.
One concern, however, is the priority in that wetlands will have when in comparison to development. Chapter 8 in the Comprehensive Plan address issues if wetland alteration is required, stating a mitigation plan must be approved by the Soil and Water Conservation District. The bottom line comes down to who has the say in what development is required, and if any development is required.
The arrival of 'big box' development also brings with it more environmental concerns. Increased parking lot space will simply add to the amount of runoff that fills our wetlands. Especially during Minnesota's winters, there will be a dramatic increase in salt and sand that runs through our wetlands. Even during summer months, blacktop will increase temperatures of runoff water, having dramatic effects to amphibians and reptiles that have low tolerance for temperature changes.
One area that is of little concern in terms of developing new land that may infringe on wetland viability is industrial growth. If we look at the example of Northfield, who recently lost two major employers in Fairway Foods and Ryt-Way, we see that these areas along with two other abandoned parcels have opened up 3.8 million square feet of industrial zoning. By taking the projected employment growth through 2015, in Northfield, of 1,238 new jobs and applying that to an average of 800 sq. ft of industrial space per employee,
then we get a need of 3.3 million sq. ft (Northfield
Comprehensive Plan 2001). With the vacant parcels available, Northfield
still has an excess of industrial space, and no extra development was required.
Adequate industrial sites have even been removed from consideration
because of possible environmental damage development could have. The future of Rice Counties wetlands depends on the priorities and implementation of the policies and goals set in the Comprehensive Plan. Through the use of Board Councils and community based discussion panels, these ever changing priorities can easily be met. By continuing to recognize the importance of wetlands and carefully planning development jobs, the future of wetlands in Rice County will be one of longevity.
HOME
Wetland Importance
Wetland Studies
Development Trends
Pictures taken from Costal Wetland Pictures