Wetland FAQs
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The Wetland
Conservation Act (WCA) was passed in 1991.
The Board of Water and Soil
Resources established the rules for the act.
The rules interpreted the purpose of the act to achieve:
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No net loss in the quantity, quality, and biological diversity
of wetlands.
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Increase
the quantity, quality, and biological diversity by restoring, or enhancing
diminished or drained wetlands.
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Avoid
impacts that degrade the quantity, quality, and biological diversity
of wetlands.
-
Replace
wetland values where avoidance of activity is feasible and prudent.
What is a wetland?
Click
here to visit the MN DNR site with descriptions of the different types
of wetlands.
A wetland is defined in the 1987 Army Corps of Engineers
Delineation Manual. For an
area to be designated a wetland it must meet 3 mandatory criteria.
They are 1) hydric soils 2) enough surface water or groundwater
to support a dominance of hydrophytic vegetation adapted for life in saturated
soils 3) prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation.
WCA has jurisdiction over all wetlands in Minnesota except those
on the DNR
inventory of Public Waters and wetlands.
DNR has jurisdiction of these wetlands.
The
Local Governing Unit (LGU) is Beltrami County. The LGU approves or denies
the Replacement Plans, Wetland Banking applications, and appeals.
The Beltrami County Wetland Conservation Ordinance
#31 (download ordinance) was passed September 7, 2000 to allow for
more flexibility in isolated wetlands out of the shoreland protection
zone and less flexibility for wetlands within the shoreland protection
zone. The ordinance also
stipulates that all wetlands impacted in Beltrami County must be replaced
in the county. Before replacement
is considered, all applicants must prove they have tried to first avoid
the impact and minimize the impact.
Replacement can be proposed by converting upland to wetland or
by purchasing wetland banking credits.
The
U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers also regulates wetland activities under Section 404 of the
Clean Water Act.
Beltrami
County Planning and Zoning now implements Ordinance #31 and has regulations for wetlands in the Shoreland Management Ordinance.
This office can be contacted at (218) 759-4158; they are located
in the county courthouse at 619 Beltrami Ave. NW, Bemidji, MN 56601.
Wetland Banking
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The Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank
everyone that responded to the Wetland Banking Post Cards that were sent
out. Approximately 20 acres of restored wetland banking credits resulted
from the private landowners that were able to enroll in the program. The
sites that have been accepted are excellent, and will make replacing wetlands
in our county much easier.
Not only are replacing wetlands important, but also the many functions
that they perform. They include: 1) Improved water quality - many marsh
plants and organisms break down dangerous chemicals into harmless elements.
2) Filter sediment - wetlands act as a catch basin for sediment from runoff
water before they reach our lakes and rivers. 3) Prevent floods - store
water temporarily, allowing it to percolate into the ground or evaporate.
4) Habitat - wetlands in the United States of America support about 5,000
plant species, 190 species of amphibians, and a third of all native bird
species. In addition wetlands recharge ground water, reduce soil erosion,
are used for commercial fisheries and agriculture, and many people enjoy
the experiences they offer like hunting, fishing, and observing wildlife.
If these functions have you interested in this program, please call the
Beltrami SWCD for more information. The SWCD has a list of people that
are still interested in Wetland Banking, so you may be contacted next
spring if you had a suitable site.
Questions or comments about
our site? Email Dede at
deanna.kubitz@mn.nacdnet.net
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