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Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District

7118 Clearwater Road ▪ Baxter, MN 56425

Telephone (218) 828-6197 ▪ Fax (218) 828-6095

 Office Hours ▪ Monday-Friday  ▪ 8:00am to 4:30pm

 

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 WETLAND CONSERVATION ACT (WCA)
Cattails

Overview

In Minnesota, it is estimated that 11 million acres of wetland areas has been lost in the last 100 years.  There are approximately 9 million acres remaining. The Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) was passed in 1991.  The ultimate goal of the Act is no net loss of wetlands. 

It is important to note that WCA applies to all Minnesota wetlands, except those listed on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inventory of public waters and wetlands.

 

Benefits that wetlands provide

Provides flood control by storing excess water during rain events and spring melting

 

Increases water quality by filtering sediments and nutrients before they enter lakes, rivers and streams

Provide habitat for fish, birds, amphibians and other wildlife

Provides erosion control by slowing the flow of water between upland areas and waterways

Provides groundwater recharge by detaining water and allowing it to percolate to the water table

Provides habitat for rare, endangered and threatened plants and animals

How can you tell if an area is a wetland?

Three conditions must be present to define an area as a wetland:

  1. Hydric soils -  soils that show characteristics of development under wet conditions.  Peat is an example of a hydric soil.

  2. Hydrology - water present either above or below the surface

  3. Hydrophytic vegetation -  vegetation that is adapted to living in wet conditions. Examples of hydrophytic vegetation include: pitcher plants, lady slippers, jack-in-the-pulpit, sedges, tamarack, black spruce

How does WCA relate to the SWCD?

The Crow Wing SWCD administers WCA by:

        •Serving as the Local Government Unit (LGU)

        •Providing information regarding wetlands and requirements of WCA

        •Provide assistance as needed regarding wetland restoration,    

             replacement plans and banking procedures

        •Serve as a member of the Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP)

Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources-Wetlands