3 - Comprehensive Plan Discussion (2)

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Proposed Strategies for Implementation: NATURAL RESOURCES POLICIES The following policies are proposed to guide future preservation and management of natural resources in Pequot Lakes: Protect and enhance natural resources and open space contributing to the character and vitality of Pequot Lakes.While it may seem that Pequot Lakes has an abundance of natural resources and open spaces, unmanaged growth and development could degrade the City's natural resources.The City must actively protect existing natural resources and enhance those that contribute to Pequot Lakes' rural character. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: • Direct future development away from significant and/or sensitive natural resources and toward suitable areas with existing infrastructure and proper soil and slope characteristics. Benton MacKaye, a legendary land-use planner,compared urban growth to flood waters that must be controlled through a series of barriers that he referred to as"levees". Levees include significant topographic and vegetative features such as hills and bluffs,forested areas, lakeshores and other sensitive natural features. Pequot Lakes should limit development around these features and encourage development in more suitable areas. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: • Promote development and construction practices that retain and improve existing natural features and systems on and around building sites. Not all development is equal with respect to its impact on natural resources. Development practices that identify and preserve significant natural resources-such as clustering,open space dedications, restrictive covenants, or conservation easements—should be promoted by the City whenever possible. Furthermore, construction practices in all new developments should not negatively impact resources by causing erosion,tree damage, or the disruption of significant ecological features. Proposed Strategies for Implementation: • Conservation easements are a great way to preserve and enhance natural features...but education is needed so the public understands the benefits.