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Bu;��R� January 14'h,2010 <br /> ASSOCil�T1dN � <br /> �rN�Tunn�ciT�Fs <br /> IAfPtl3lWkS�B1Et-��t{q�k{{�fW�i[[L' goard af Managers � <br /> Minnehaha Creek Weterst�c� Di,trici <br /> I820Z A�Einnetonka�oulevard <br /> De�phaven,MN 55391 <br /> Re: Pubiic CorrEm�nt on Mir�nehaha Cr�ek Watersh�d D�strict Water <br /> ReSau►'ces kule t� <br /> Oear Board of Managers: <br /> These public comments are submitted on behalf af the Buiiders Associati�n af <br /> th�Twin Cities(eATC) regarding the pub#ished vers+an of the Minnehaha �reek <br /> Watershed District`s(MCWD)Comprehensive Water Resources Rule D. <br /> BATC,through its staff and members,have been active contrbutors to the � <br /> ruiem�king prncess and appretiate the oppartunitiss fvr pviicy discussiflns that <br /> have been fa�ilitat�d by th�MCWD.These discussions illus�'r�te the impnrtant <br /> balance that ali parties seek irt protecting our natural resaurces while delivering <br /> housing units to meet the market's demand. <br /> One af BATC's faremost priarities in the rule update is tfie MCWD's <br /> deterrrsin�tion of buffer widths. BATC has consistentfy favored a site-specific <br /> formula that captures actual ground cond'stions utflizing sound scientific <br /> analysis,versus an arbitrary,one-size�fits-ali bianket b�ffer for the enkire <br /> district. <br /> Rule D doesn't fu{iy capture BATC's pr�ferred method af esCablishing widths on <br /> a site bas+s.No4vever,th� proposed hybrid appraach ta establish 6uffers is an <br /> improvement over the exisEing system.The rni�imum widtihs,caupled with <br /> patentisl increases pr decreases in the width based on analysis oi the site <br /> characteristics captures importani elements in buffer widths.Additionally, the <br /> provisic�n allowing an app}icant to request fiexlbility for a reduced wetfand <br /> buffer width with apprapriate demonstration of function and value is a <br /> positive provlsion far the applieant and MCWD. <br /> We raise an item of concern regarding Ianguage that appears in Section 4 (a} <br /> Buffer. (n the riraft, (anguage states: "....must provide for a buffer adjatent tQ <br /> each wetland and public waters wetland that w�ll be disturbed or is down <br /> gradient from ihe land disturbance:`This appears to create a requirement for a <br /> buffer around the entire dawn gradient wetland, not just its upgrade buffer <br /> edge that may rec�ive some ru�aFf, This is a departure from the current rufe <br /> language and received minimai attention in the stak�halder process. BATC is <br /> c�ncern�d that this iangua�e enables MCWD to require buffers on non- <br /> �����M 23�ti Ce�icre Pnf�t�Cl�iae���se��ill�,Mim�so�a 551 7 3-1 3 6� w❑"5�•8�7•�195A*Fsx 65 i-65l-7599�Parade Faz 6�1•�9i•7575 <br /> r wmlymc�d�+?Jhmnes.nr„ <br />