HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-03-25 MS & WCD Ltr to OPHW�. _JINGTON SOIL AND WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT
1825 Curve Crest Blvd., Room 101
Stillwater, MN 55082
( 651 ) 430-6820 Fax: ( 651) 430-6819
MINNESOTA
111�79 1111 q ��111104 11
March 25, 2002
Kris Danielson, Communit Development Director
Cit of Oak Park Hei
P.O. Box 2007
Stillwater, Minnesota 55082
RE: WCA Administrative assistance
Dear Ms. Danielson:
( F ��'Q
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It was a pleasure to talk with y ou last week, to discuss assistin the Cit of Oak Park Hei with
administration of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). As y ou are probabl aware, the
WCA is a state law (MN Statute 103G) enacted in 1991 to protect wetlands and re impacts to them.
Authorit for administerin the law was given to the Local Government Unit (LGU), and I understand
that the Cit accepted this authorit in the earl 1990s. The WCA has under several revisions, but a
critical addition in 2000 was the re that LGUs provide knowled and trained staff to
mana the pro or secure a q ualified dele (8420.0200 E, 8420.0260 B). The proposed 2002
revisions stren that re b addressin technical q ualifications.
The WCA provides for technical review of wetland impact proposals b desi a Technical
Evaluation Panel (TEP), comprised of a representative of the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil
Resources, the local soil and water conservation district, the LGU.., and if needed the Corps of En
local Watershed District, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Under the WCA, submittal to
the TEP for technical review is mandator for certain impacts and the TEP can be asked for technical
findin and recommendations on other wetland issues (8420.0240). The WCA names the local SWCD
as the clearin for wetland information, and as the lead a to investi violations of the state
law.
The Washin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) currentl assists most of the LGUs in
Washin Count to the extent that best meets the needs and desires of the local communit Some
communities with infre wetland impacts have dele full administrative authorit to the SWCD.
Others, with wetland-specific in-house staff or q ualified en consultants, ma call upon us onl
for the mandator or extraordinar projects. Most rel on the SWCD or TEP for technical q uestions, but
retain the administrative duties.
At this time, I am aware that Oak Park Hei has development projects under review which contain
wetlands on the pro sites. I would be happ to assist in the review of these projects, to assure the
conform to the WCA. M participation could include review and approval of wetland delineations, as
well as review and recommendations on proposed wetland impacts. If the Cit currentl covers these
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNiTY EMPLOYER
March 25, 2002
Page 2
ICE: VVetland/VVCA issues
reviews through staff or consulting firms, my involvement would be supplementary, providing a county-
wide perspective. If you have questions about how the SWCI3 fits into this process, you might want to
contact the cities of Forest Lake, Woodbury, and Afton, for their comments.
I would be happy to meet with you and/or other city officials to discuss this issue further.
In the short term, I have been asked by local residents to become involved in the review of the Boutwells
Landing next phases, as it relates to wetland impacts. Therefore, I request that a copy of the concept or
preliminary plan be submitted to me, when it is available. If you prefer, you could, ask the developer to
contact me directly about supplying the wetland information.
Feel free to call me if you have questions about this letter. I can be reached at 651 -430 -6828.
Sincerely,
A fin
yneen Thatcher
Wetland Specialist
cc: Dave Beaudet, Mayor; oak park Heights
Lynda Peterson; BWSR