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plant communities.The project will improve and create habitat for birds,amphibians,and pollinators <br /> (attachment Memorandum 9/15/2014).The proposed restoration technique is based upon information <br /> advanced from other successful cattail management studies and is an opportunity to inform future wetland <br /> restoration. <br /> After reviewing meeting on site with the applicant to review the benefits of the project,the restoration <br /> activities do not meet the definition of impact(MN Rules 8420.0111 subp 33).According to the rule,in order <br /> for an activity to constitute an "impact",the proposed activity must fulfill both criteria described in the <br /> definition:a)it must be draining or filling(or excavating in a type 3,4,or 5)and b)the draining,filling or <br /> excavating must result in a loss in the quantity,quality,or biological diversity of the wetland.The proposed <br /> activities,therefore,would not be an"impact"as they do not result in the loss of quantity of wetland and are <br /> restoration techniques used to increase the quality and biodiversity of the wetland.The proposed restoration <br /> will result in a functional improvement of the wetland. <br /> VII. Recommendation <br /> The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is the local government unit that administers the Wetland <br /> Conservation Act and is responsible for making decisions on applications.The MCWD has called upon the TEP <br /> to analyze the technical merits of the restoration and assess public value of the wetland.The District and the <br /> Technical Evaluation Panel recognize that the restoration project will provide multiple benefits.The proposed <br /> project will restore a degraded 2.98-acre wetland,improve water quality entering the wetland,and restore <br /> upland plant communities in the buffer adjacent to the wetland.The applicant has committed to financial <br /> assurances and has outlined post-construction monitoring and maintenance. <br /> The TEP is recommending approval of the proposed restoration as applied for under"No-Loss"as the activity <br /> does not fulfill the two criteria of the definition of an"impact"as defined in the WCA and will result in an <br /> increase in function and value of the wetland. <br /> '/vA, 2v <br /> Courtney Hall, MC D Wetland Specialist Date <br />