CHECK WITH WEST POLK SWCD BEFORE
STARTING BUILDING PROJECTS; YOU MIGHT HAVE A WETLAND

Not long ago, wetlands were once considered wasteland, a hindrance to development and crop production. That’s no longer the case. Today, wetlands are considered a key element of a healthy ecosystem.

 Officials from the West Polk SWCD are reminding landowners to check with them first before beginning any project that might impact a wetland. In most cases, draining or filling a wetland requires a permit or some other authorization under local, state, or federal regulations. Additionally, landowners will most likely need to show efforts to avoid wetlands and may be required to replace a drained, filled, or excavated wetland area.

 When most people think of wetlands, they picture swampy, marshy areas complete with ducks and cattails. While those areas are indeed wetlands, others might look quite different and may not even have surface water for much of the year. West Polk SWCD can help people make those determinations.

 West Polk SWCD offers the following suggestions to anyone who has a project that might impact a wetland
      § Early in the process, contact our office. We can give you appropriate guidance.

§ Find out if land you want to alter is a wetland.

§ Fill out a General Projects Form. This form is available from our office or the Board of Water and Soil Resources web site (www.bwsr.state.mn.us/wetlands/index.html).

§ Before you purchase property for development, consider the existence of any wetlands and weigh the environmental impact and financial cost of disturbing those areas against the project’s benefits.

§ Thoroughly consider and document the alternatives you have considered to avoid wetland impacts.

§ Consider the possible concerns of the community and the project’s neighbors.

§ If you proceed with a project, determine where the wetlands are and design your project accordingly.

 Minnesota’s local governments—cities, counties, watershed management organizations, soil and water conservation districts, and townships—implement Minnesota’s Wetland Conservation Act, which is the state’s wetland protection law. The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources administers the act statewide, and the Department of Natural Resources enforces it.  West Polk SWCD is the agency implementing the rules for our portion of the county.

 West Polk Soil & Water Conservation District
528 Strander Ave.
Crookston, MN  56716
Phone     218.281.6070