11/19/2008 Env Bd Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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This framework of guiding where wetland impact and replacement may occur is intended to have the effect of reestablishing larger, contiguous areas of wetland and riparian edge. As the other side of the same coin, it would afford landowners more flexibility to create larger contiguous areas of upland for use and development than reasonably could be fashioned under standard parcel - based wetland permitting. This is one of several respects in which the RCWD believes that Rule RMP -3 will provide benefits to landowners as compared with standard wetland permitting, while also yielding greater water resource protection. The RMP discusses this in more detail. A Rule RMP -3 permit would be required in three instances: • - When a landowner will do work in, or work that wholly or partly drains, a wetland within the RMP area; • When 10,000 square feet of hard surface will be created within the RMP area; or • When grading with motorized equipment will after the rate or volume of surface runoff into a wetland within the RMP area. The terms of Rule RMP -3, briefly, are as follows: Wetland Impacts and Replacement. The proposed rule retains the requirement of both WCA and 5404 of the federal Clean Water Act that before wetland impact may be authorized (with required replacement of wetland function and acreage), a landowner first must justify impact through a "sequencing" analysis that explores the ability to avoid and minimize wetland impact. As a part of sequencing, the rule contains provisions establishing guidelines for a preliminary concept plan review. This preliminary review is not required, but is encouraged. It is an opportunity for the RCWD, the Technical Evaluation Panel and the City of Lino Lakes (along with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers when Clean Water Act §404 is applicable), to review a development proposal more informally and to work with the landowner toward a design that minimizes impact on the functions of hydrologic systems (such as habitat, water quality, flow attenuation, flood storage and recreation) and is conducive to sound stormwater management. One result of this process will be to facilitate formal 3 RCWD Rule RMP -3 SONAR Letter October 23, 2008