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• • • Nature's Refuge EAW Record of Decision page 3 Compatibility with Local Plans The project is consistent with local and regional plans, which includes the following: • City of Lino Lakes Comprehensive Plan o Land Use Plan o Sanitary Sewer Plan o Transportation Plan o Surface Water Management Plan o Parks, Natural Open Space /Greenways and Trail System Plan. The City's Comprehensive Plan guides the project area for Low Density Sewered Residential development. The City's Zoning Ordinance provides for conservation development through the use of the Planned Unit Development process. The Parks Plan designates this area for natural resource protection and conservation as well as a city trail. These goals would be fulfilled with the Nature's Refuge project. Conservation Development The project will combine residential development conservation of a valuable wetland complex. This rare wetland type and its rare plant species will be restored to higher - quality conditions and managed to remain a high - quality system dominated by native plant species, while maintaining its present suite of wetland services and values (e.g. flood retention, protection of downstream public waters). The revenue generated by the development of the residential subdivision will allow for the full funding of the restoration and management plan. A small percentage of wetland area and a quantity of forested upland will be lost as a result of the development, in exchange for creation of the high - quality conservation reserve including the remaining wetlands and surrounding forested uplands. From the ecological perspective, the project will result in a net gain in environmental quality. This plan has been given initial provisional support by several regulatory agencies. Wetland Impacts The project will result in filling of 7.5 acres of wetland, and in the restoration, management, and preservation of 132 acres under a conservation easement with an ongoing management plan in perpetuity. Most wetland area to be filled is presently in a disturbed, degraded condition. All wetland acreage to be put under conservation management will be restored to higher - quality conditions with greater floristic diversity and reduced abundance of exotic invasive plant species. The conservation plan will also include restoration and management of upland wooded areas and other vegetated buffers along wetland boundaries. Wetland losses are expected to be mitigated by wetland credits generated through the establishment and management of the conservation area. It is hoped that this area