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Sec.78-1605.-Wetland buffer areas and setbacks. <br /> (a) This subsection establishes authority for wetland buffer areas around protected wetlands. Buffer areas <br /> are necessary and beneficial to maintain the health of wetlands. Buffer areas protect the edge of <br /> wetlands from erosion while filtering sediment, chemicals and other nutrients from runoff that drains <br /> into wetlands. Buffer areas can improve the biological diversity and health of a wetland environment <br /> while reducing the adverse impacts of human activities. <br /> (b) All wetlands within the City of Orono are within the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District (MCWD), <br /> which has rules and regulations for the establishment and maintenance of wetland buffers. In an effort <br /> to avoid overlapping or conflicting regulations, the city defers jurisdiction for the establishment and <br /> maintenance of wetland buffers to the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District. If application of MCWD <br /> buffer regulations is in conflict with city regulations, the more restrictive requirements shall apply. <br /> (c) In order to provide for a minimum level of wetland protection where Minnehaha Creek Watershed <br /> District buffer rules do not provide for adequate separation befinreen wetlands and buildings or other <br /> structures or surfaces, the city shall require setbacks from the delineated edge of a protected wetland <br /> as follows: <br /> Minimum distance setback from delineated edge of wetland to any <br /> building (principal or accessory)or other structure, hardcover, <br /> septic systems or wells: <br /> Where no formal buffer exists and <br /> where MCWD does not require a 35 feet <br /> buffer <br /> Where a formal buffer exists or 35 feet or established buffer width plus 10 feet,whichever is <br /> where MCWD buffer is required greater <br /> I <br /> Areas within the required setback area subject to filling, grading or excavation as part of a construction <br /> project shall be revegetated immediately upon completion of such earthwork. Setbacks must be verified <br /> with wetland delineation information. The determination of whether a Level 1 delineation or Level 2 <br /> delineation is required shall be at the discretion of the planning director. Level 2 delineation information <br /> shall be provided on a certified certificate of survey. The requirement for delineation shall be applied in <br /> cases where the wetland exists within 150 feet of the proposed project. <br /> (d) The City of Orono has established wetland protection strategies in the Orono Surface Water <br /> Management Plan (SWMP) (January 2011). A protection classification has been assigned to each <br /> wetland in Orono based on the stormwater susceptibility and functional assessment for each wetland. <br /> The city has also established additional protection requirements for each classification. The four <br /> protection classifications are described as follows: <br /> Additional Protection <br /> Protection Susceptibility <br /> Description Requirements <br /> Classification Rating (B= Bounce-Change in <br /> water level due to runoff <br /> Page 1 <br />