Digital atlas helps communities identify natural resources

The Metropolitan Council has developed a tool — the Natural Resources Digital Atlas — to assist communities to identify and protect regionally significant natural resources. The atlas helps communities answer questions like:

Where might be the best place to site a park in our community?
What significant natural resources are within our borders?
If we zone this land for residential development, will we lose any aggregate resources?

Aggregate resources are important for building roads in the metropolitan area and need to be protected where possible. Shown here is a mining operation in Empire Township.

The new atlas includes a two-CD set with an instruction manual. It features maps with natural resource information for the seven-county metropolitan area using the most current and accurate data available to government agencies without charge.

“With the region growing as rapidly as it is, we need to be proactive about identifying and protecting significant natural resources,” said Natalie Steffen, Metropolitan Council member representing District 9 in northern Anoka County. “Otherwise we lose them and our quality of life declines.”

Atlas features six primary maps

The atlas features six primary maps, some with as many as 20 layers of information. Each map focuses on a particular category of natural resource planning: terrestrial resources, aquatic resources, outdoor recreation, health and public safety, community character and working lands.

To order a copy of the Natural Resources Digital Atlas, contact the Council's Data Center and specify Publication #78-06-062. There is a $15 charge for the Natural Resources Digital Atlas, which includes a CD.

You can order a copy by email: data.center@metc.state.mn.us, phone: 651-602-1140, or use our online order form.

Communities are not required to have a natural resources element in their comprehensive plans, explained Ann Beckman, Council regional growth strategy manager. Nonetheless, good natural resources information can be critical in determining appropriate land uses, protecting water quality and siting parks, she said.

“The atlas is a great tool for everybody,” said Louis Jambois, executive director of the Association of Metropolitan Municipalities. “It is wonderful to be able to visualize the wealth of geographic information in this format. The atlas will provide communities with tremendous insight into how different development choices may impact watersheds, transportation networks, wildlife habitats and other features.”

The atlas builds on previous work by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, which has an online Guide to Using Natural Resource Information. The atlas requires the use of ArcReader, a GIS software product developed by ESRI, Inc. ArcReader may be downloaded free of charge.

The atlas is being distributed to every municipality in the region, the regional park operating agencies and the collar counties surrounding the metropolitan area. To obtain a copy contact the Metropolitan Council Data Center at 651-602-1140.