A good comprehensive plan is not a 'wish list' of local concerns - it's a rational list of actions based on accurate information about your
community. Inventories and assessments are a key step in the planning process because they will help guide the discussion about
where development or other land uses should occur, and what natural resources should be protected or restored.
A NRI is simply a collection of data represented by descriptive maps. It can include anything from a simple hand-drawn map to
comprehensive GIS-based land cover maps. Once an NRI is completed the information collected can then be used to conduct an NRA to
investigate local natural resource issues.
A Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) is the information collected to identify the location and character of natural resources.
A Natural Resource Assessment (NRA) is an analysis of the NRI to aid in decision-making and management efforts.
When does a Natural Resource Inventory need to be conducted?
Ideally, a natural resource inventory is conducted as part of a natural resource-based, comprehensive planning process. And ideally, that planning process happens
in advance of significant development in a community. The inventory is the foundation for the plan, and the plan is the basis for growth management.
In communities without a strong natural resource-based plan, natural areas often become 'the residual of development'. Including natural resources as a key component
of the planning process ensures that the integrity of the community's green infrastructure will be placed among its highest priorities - the remaining lands are designated for development.
Timing of the natural resource inventory and plan is important. During periods of intense development, communities are very busy reviewing development plans and have little
time to consider planning for natural resources. In addition, lack of good natural resource information prevents communities from effectively reviewing development proposals
with an eye toward natural resource protection.
Communities that are experiencing rapid development - and which lack good natural resource information - may wish to consider putting development on hold (with the use of a moratorium)
so that they can collect the information they need to make sound decisions about the future of their community.
