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M1NUT)JS <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />JULY 12, 2001 <br />mostly hydric soils, soils that developed in wet conditions (mottled <br />soils and anaerobic conditions); <br />wet either above the ground or wet within 72 inches of the ground <br />surface during all or part of the growing season; <br />have vegetation adapted to wet soil conditions_ <br />Aichinger noted that some wetlands have visible sw'face water only a few <br />weeks each year. Others are farmed or mowed for hay, or maintained as a <br />lawn. Aichinger reported that there are eight wetland types that range from <br />open water to land that is very dry in the summer. <br />Aichinger reviewed the Wetland Conservation Act. Under this act any <br />alteration to a wetland of any kind requires a permit. Alterations to wetlands <br />must be mitigated on a two for one basis somewhere within the watershed. He <br />stated that estiwates to create a wetland could run as high as $100,000/acre. <br />The wet9ands created must be of"like kind" to those being replaced. <br />Aichinger reported that the Watershed receives about one request per year to <br />mill wetlands. However, in the last number of years, there have been only about <br />2 acres of wetlands filled. <br />Aichinger reported that the Water Conservation Act does not address <br />excavation that male wetlands wetter. However, the Anny Corps of Engineers <br />does have jurisdiction over these types of excavations. Permits for this type of <br />work are becoming more difficult to get. <br />Aichinger described the 3-step process for obtaining a permit to fill a wetland. <br />The process includes: <br />• An analysis of why the filling is needed and whether there are other <br />options that could be considered; <br />• Review of the proposed Filling along with mitigation; <br />• Ensuring that mitigation is on a 2 for 1 basis. <br />Aichinger then described the process for wetland delineation. It is: <br />• Study of the hydrology of the area; <br />• ,Review of the plant types; <br />• Analysis of soil borings. <br />All this results in an exact determination of where the wetland is today. <br />Unfortunately, the area in question was not delineated before the berm was <br />installed. Therefore, it is not possible to measure the exact changes that have <br />occurred. Ile also noted that wetlands can become wetter <br />without changing the wetland delineation lines. <br />