Laserfiche WebLink
LOCAL WETLAND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM <br />Position: <br />Washington County supports $10 million in bonding to be appropriated to the Board of Water and Soil <br />Resources (BWSR) to allow the purchase and development of wetland credits to meet Local Road Wetland <br />Replacement Program obligations. <br />Issue: <br />The Local Road Wetland Replacement Program (LRWRP) has been an integral part of the "no net loss" <br />policy under the Wetlands Conservation Act (WCA) since 1996. <br />Under the WCA, the reconstruction or rehabilitation of existing county, city and township roads to meet <br />state or federal design or safety standards are exempt from wetland replacement requirements as long <br />as wetland impacts are minimized. The Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is required to replace <br />the wetlands lost as the result of the eligible local road reconstruction or rehabilitation. <br />BWSR's obligation to replace the wetlands lost due to the eligible local road projects has been historically <br />funded with the proceeds of GO bonds authorized in the biennial capital budget bills. Since 2010, the state <br />has not been meeting the funding obligation as requested by BWSR. <br />Support and Opposition: <br />Support has come from the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC), Minnesota Inter -County <br />Association (MICA). No major opposition is expected as this program, when functioning, is considered one <br />of the best examples of government streamlining in the State. <br />Previous Consideration: <br />In 2017, Washington County supported a total of $15 Million toward this program ($5 Million cash, and <br />$10 Million Bonding). The legislature approved a total of $10 Million. <br />No Action: <br />Continued underfunding of this program will result in a lack of available wetland credits. BWSR and the <br />State of Minnesota are required by law to provide these credits. <br />Financial Implications: <br />Wetland replacement credits are available on the private market for $60,000 to $80,000 per acre. Project <br />delays are expected due to lack of BWSR credits. Delays increase project costs. <br />Contact Person: <br />Wayne Sandberg, County Engineer, Deputy Director of Public Works <br />Washington County Public Works <br />651-430-4339 <br />Wayne.Sandbe[g@?co.washington.mn.us <br />34 <br />