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, , . , , RECOMMENDATIONS Activities which impact or potentially impact wetlands are currently regulated at several levels of government In Minnesota, the two primary jurisdictions are covered at the state and federal levels by the provisions of the following legislative actions. ➢ State jurisdiction by the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 (WCA) administered by the WCA Local Governmental Unit (LGU). � ➢ Federal jurisdiction by the Clean Water Act of 1972 and subsequent amendments. Wetland protection is implemented by the Corps of Engineers (Corps) with permit certification issued by the Environmental Protection Agency. While the wetland boundary that SER has delineated is not official until approved by a WCA approved local government unit(LGU), SER advises the property owner/developer to refrain from any filling, draining, or excavating, or any impact to the area SER has delineated as wetland. No grading or filling in wetland basins should commence until all necessary permits have been obtained. Violation of wetland regulations has resulted in substantial civil and criminal penalties. Local ordinances may regulate wetland modifications such as brush and tree removal and burning in addition to grading and filling. Depending on the location of the property, buffers around the wetland may also be protected. Any activities in the proximity of the wetland should be cleared with appropriate WCA regulatory agencies. It is also advisable to have the wetland boundary surveyed by a licensed land surveyor, or located with a sub-meter GPS unit. Since the lath used along the boundary can be vandalized or inadvertently knocked over,a survey or GPS ]ocation of the lath will assure the permanence of the boundary. The client should also be aware that approved wetland boundaries are rypically valid for only three years from the date of approval. To avoid project delays associated with wetland regulations,it is essential that you acquire necessary permits from all jurisdictional agencies before initiating activities. A WCA Sequencing form, a WCA and Army Corps of Engineers Replacement Plan Application form, and a DNR permit application are among the materials that you may be required to submit if impacts are proposed for the delineated wetlands. By initiating the permit process as soon as possible,potential costly delays to the project may be avoided. Svoboda Ecologica] Resources 940 Brown Road Project No.:2006-109-03 l� Catherine Johnston