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Allocating ENRV Credit <br />Credit should be allocated based on the degree a project contributes to the <br />restoration and protection of an exceptional natural resource. The exceptional <br />resource itself can be a wetland, public water, or upland. Proposed actions <br />should directly benefit the exceptional function(s) of the resource and must have <br />Tong -term and sustainable results. Eligible actions include restoration and <br />preservation of the exceptional resource itself or adjacent wetland and upland <br />areas. The project must include a restoration component to be eligible. <br />While preservation is often an important component of an ENRV project, <br />restoration activities generally provide more value by improving the function of <br />the exceptional resource in addition to preserving it. Restoration and protection <br />of resources that are susceptible to future impacts generally provide more <br />value than those Tess susceptible due to protection provided by other sources. <br />The following provides suggested ranges of credit allocation based on the <br />above generalities. The actual amount of credit may be more or less based on <br />project specifics and the TEP's recommendation. <br />1) <br />2) <br />3) <br />4) <br />Eligible Actions <br />Restoration of an exceptional wetland by reestablishing <br />natural hydrology. <br />Restoration of an exceptional wetland by reestablishing <br />permanent native, non - invasive vegetation. <br />Restoration of wetland or upland adjacent to an <br />exceptional resource when the restoration activity <br />significantly improves the water quality or habitat <br />functions of the exceptional resource. <br />Preservation of wetland or upland in combination with a <br />qualifying restoration activity (details on page 5). <br />Duck nesting habitat adjacent to a <br />restored prairie pothole in SW MN. <br />Credit Range <br />50 to 100 percent <br />25 to 50 percent <br />(75% for white cedar) <br />25 to 50 percent <br />1 2.5 percent <br />Local <br />Government <br />Units must have <br />TEP concurrence <br />to approve the <br />allocation of <br />credit under <br />ENRV. <br />General Considerations for Credit Allocation <br />t Restoration. "Restoration" refers to re- <br />establishment of the natural pre - settlement <br />conditions of a wetland or upland habitat that has <br />been previously degraded or converted to another <br />type by human activity. A wetland that is both <br />hydrologically and vegetatively degraded must <br />have both components restored. <br />4 Threat of Degradation or Loss. Consider threats <br />to the exceptional resource when evaluating <br />projects for potential ENRV credit. <br />i Buffer. Wetland areas restored or preserved <br />under ENRV should have a buffer adequate to <br />protect the wetland and its function in perpetuity. <br />LGUs should consider the specifications of MN Rule <br />8420.0522, Subp. 6 for minimum buffer width <br />requirements and credit amounts. <br />• <br />+ Habitat Connections. Activities on adjacent <br />upland can include the restoration or preservation <br />of important wildlife habitat connections and travel <br />corridors. Upland should be connected to wetlands <br />being restored or preserved and directly <br />contribute to the function and sustainability of the <br />exceptional resource. <br />4 Flooding. Although rare, restoration of hydrology <br />can include removing excess water from a <br />degraded site, i.e. restoring the natural hydrology <br />of a white cedar swamp degraded from a <br />roadway that blocked normal flow patterns and <br />impounded excess water. <br />Timeframe. Restoration credit can only be granted <br />for sites degraded by legal human activity that <br />occurred at least 10 years prior to application. <br />4 <br />