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WETLAND
CONSERVATION ACT
Overview
In Minnesota, it is estimated that 11 million acres of
wetland areas have 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 less net loss of
wetlands. In order to attain this goal, draining, filling, and excavation
is prohibited unless:
 | The drain, fill, or excavation activity is exempt |
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OR |
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wetlands are replaced by
restoring or creating wetland areas of at least |
equal public value |
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 |
| Provides 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:
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Hydric soils - soils
that show characteristics of development under wet conditions.
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Hydrology - water
present within top 12 '' of the surface for 5% of growing season under normal
rainfall years.
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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, and black spruce.
How does WCA relate to the SWCD?
The Todd 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) |
Information and Application forms:
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