CALL FOR WORK GROUP PARTICIPANTS ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER CORRIDOR CRITICAL AREA

As part of the process for establishing rules for the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area, the Department of Natural Resources is seeking interested parties to participate in work groups to provide input on rulemaking for the MRCCA. The DNR is currently considering convening 1 to 4 work groups that will each meet 3 or 4 times from March 2010 – September 2010. Individuals and organizations interested in participating in a work group (or groups) must complete a statement of interest/self nomination form to be considered.

The 2009 Minnesota Legislature directed the DNR to establish rules for the MRCCA. The DNR is required to establish, by rule, districts within the MRCCA including:

determine the appropriate number of districts within each municipality, taking into account municipal plans and policies, and existing ordinances and conditions, and consider protection of key, identified resources and features.

and

establish, by rule, minimum guidelines and standards for the districts, which shall include:
      – the intent of each district and
      – key resources and features to be protected or enhanced.
and must take into account:
      – municipal plans and policies, and
      – existing ordinances and conditions,

and

establish a map to define bluffs and bluff-related features within the Mississippi River corridor critical area and develop guidelines and standards to protect or enhance (specified) key resources and features.