HF 1356

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/02/2015 01:25pm

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing alternative wetland mitigation options
in greater than 80 percent areas; authorizing rulemaking; amending Minnesota
Statutes 2014, section 103G.222, by adding a subdivision.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2014, section 103G.222, is amended by adding a
subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Alternative wetland mitigation; greater than 80 percent areas.
new text end

new text begin (a) For wetland replacement in greater than 80 percent areas, the minimum wetland
replacement ratio may be reduced to ... for replacement outside the service bank area or
major watershed if the public value of the wetlands is replaced with alternative wetland
mitigation strategies completed within the service bank area or major watershed that
create at least ... of the public value of the wetlands impacted. For the purposes of this
subdivision, alternative wetland mitigation includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) restoration or protection of riparian corridors or streams;
new text end

new text begin (2) hydrologic stabilization of altered waterways;
new text end

new text begin (3) peatland hydrology restoration; and
new text end

new text begin (4) completion of a water quality or other environmental improvement project
contained in a comprehensive plan, local water management plan, or watershed
management plan approved and adopted according to chapter 103B, 103C, or 103D or
a comprehensive watershed management plan as defined under section 103B.3363,
subdivision 3a.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board, in consultation with the commissioner of agriculture and local
government units, shall adopt rules to implement this subdivision, including establishing
methods for determining the public value of alternative wetland mitigation.
new text end