SF 1608

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 02/08/2012 09:31am

A bill for an act
relating to natural resources; establishing the Rice Creek Watershed District
wetland replacement pilot project.

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

Section 1. new text begin RICE CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT WETLAND
REPLACEMENT PILOT PROJECT; REPORT.
new text end

new text begin (a) Until July 1, 2017, notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 103G.222, or
any other law or local plan to the contrary, the Rice Creek Watershed District may replace
wetlands impacted as the result of planned water management projects, including drainage
system repairs, using the following wetland replacement siting priority order:
new text end

new text begin (1) with the concurrence of the governing board of the local county or watershed
district, within any county or watershed district whose county water plan, watershed
management plan, or other water resource implementation plan contains wetland
restoration as a means of implementation;
new text end

new text begin (2) with the concurrence of the commissioner of natural resources, on lands
administered by the commissioner according to paragraph (b); and
new text end

new text begin (3) throughout the state in areas determined to possess less than 80 percent of
presettlement wetland acreage.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioner of natural resources, in consultation with the Board of Water
and Soil Resources, may enter into agreements with the Rice Creek Watershed District to
allow wetland replacement on lands administered by the commissioner.
new text end

new text begin (c) Priority for all mitigation siting under this section shall be given to restoration
of wetlands identified as priorities in state and United States Fish and Wildlife Service
restorable wetland inventories or other natural resource and wildlife plans.
new text end

new text begin (d) The Rice Creek Watershed District, in cooperation with the commissioner
of natural resources and the Board of Water and Soil Resources, shall submit a status
report and final report to the chairs and ranking minority members of the committees and
divisions with jurisdiction over the environment and natural resources, that includes:
new text end

new text begin (1) the amount and location of wetlands that have or are planned to be restored on
state lands and other lands as a result of the pilot project;
new text end

new text begin (2) the estimated costs of water management projects completed or to be completed
under the pilot project compared to the estimated costs of the projects had the pilot project
not been in place; and
new text end

new text begin (3) any legislative or other policy changes recommended.
new text end

new text begin The status report shall be submitted no later than December 15, 2013, and the final
report shall be submitted no later than December 15, 2017.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end