02-09-2010 Council Work Session Packet

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January 14, 201Q Minnehaha Creek Watershed District Board 18202 Minnetonka Blvd. Deephaven, MN 55391 Re: Rule D: Wetland Protection Dear Managers: This policy places a high value on the functions of wetlands and their benefits. Despite passage of the Wetland Canservation Act and its impfementation rules, wetlands continue to be degraded and mitigated away every year. More periods of draught followed by flooding put additional stress on Minnesota's waters and the quality of those waters. Wetlands are critical to water quality, water conservatian and storage as well as carbon sequestrafion. Rule D promotes competent administration of the Wetland Conservation Act and strengthens the DistricYs ability ta protect wetlands through language articulating specific mitigation priorities and provisions addressing replacement site selections, size, and in-kind definitions. Buffers are another critical feature ta protect wetlands. The language spelling out permitting requirements, documentation, placement, width, vegetation, maintenance, and monitoring of buffers provides a transparent mechanism for protecting wetlands. The process analysis for Rule D has been inclusive and comprehensive. As written, it prornotes sustainable practices on the landscape that will advance the reduction of loss and degradation of the precious remaining wetlands within this watershed. Ultimately, the commitment to stewardship of our waters and lands is pararnount in ensuring safe and adequate drinking water, flaod mitigation, and surface and graundwater quality and quantity for the generations to come. Implementation of Rule D will be a too!for that commitment. I thank you for your leadership and vision, your commitment to stewardship and the opportunity to comment. Jill Crafton Treasurer, MN Division - Izaak Walton League of America