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CEDAR FALLS COMPREHENSIVE PLAN


In the conservation framework, the natural systems of a City are described: its eco- logical context, vegetation and wildlife habitat, and floodplains, waterways and hy- dric soils. Then the systems are analyzed. For habitats and biodiversity the large habitat cores and connections between cores are identified. Many of Iowa’s spe- cies need large, connected natural habitat to survive. In urban areas the amount of impervious surface—especially connected impervious surface—influences the quality of a stream and its watershed. A rule of thumb from watershed studies is that when a watershed has 10 percent connected impervious surface, water quality in streams begins to deteriorate. At 10-30 percent connected impervious surface, a stream becomes an urban stream, which has flashy flows and supports fish and aquatic insects that tolerate poor water quality.


The final step in this approach is to consider the implications of the conservation framework—is it economically feasible to set aside land in order to preserve ecosys- tem services? For example, managing stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces requires setting aside land to manage the polluted runoff and flashy flows before the water reaches streams. Many communities have decided that it is more cost-ef- fective to preserve the land’s capacity to manage stormwater runoff, rather than to build highly-engineered systems and accept stream degradation in their commu- nity. However, for a conservation framework to be incorporated in the City’s com- prehensive plan, residents must debate its implications and decide.


The conservation framework influences a city’s future land use development con- cept. The level of ecosystem services the City receives is reflected in the develop- ment concept. If the plan preserves or even increases the level of ecosystem servic- es, streams will not degrade, wildlife populations may remain at current levels, and other positive outcomes for the natural environment will ensue. The reverse is also true, that the level of ecosystem services could be diminished by decisions embod- ied in the development concept.


Finally, the comprehensive plan document, policies and zoning ordinances reflect the level of conservation desired by the community, along with the amount of eco- system services the city will receive.


CONSERVATION FRAMEWORK FOR CEDAR FALLS


The analysis of existing data produced a conservation framework for the Cedar Falls planning area. This conservation framework considers the ecological underpin- nings of the planning area, identifies regionally significant natural areas and poten- tial connections, and can be used as a guide to sustainable planning in comprehen- sive plans. The conservation framework for the Cedar Falls planning area, shown in Figure 9.2, considers the following:


• environmentally sensitive lands (natural areas) and parkland • floodplains and water features • other vegetation and habitats • rare natural features and species • impervious surfaces • public and semi-public lands (opportunities for connectivity)


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