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Overview
In Minnesota, it is estimated that 11
million acres of wetland areas has been lost in the last 100 years.
There are approximately 9 million acres remaining. The Wetland
Conservation Act (WCA) was passed
in 1991. The ultimate goal of
the Act is no net loss of wetlands.
It is important to note that WCA
applies to all Minnesota wetlands, except those listed on the Department
of
Natural Resources (DNR) inventory of public waters and wetlands.
Benefits that
wetlands provide
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Provides flood control by storing excess
water during rain events and
spring melting
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Increases water quality by filtering sediments and nutrients before they
enter lakes, rivers and streams
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Provide habitat for fish, birds, amphibians and other wildlife
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Provides erosion control by slowing the flow of water between upland
areas and waterways
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Provides groundwater recharge by detaining water
and allowing it to
percolate to the water table
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Provides habitat for rare, endangered and threatened plants and animals
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How can you tell
if an area is a wetland?
Three conditions must be present to define
an area as a wetland:
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Hydric soils
- soils that show characteristics of development under
wet conditions. Peat is an example of a hydric soil.
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Hydrology
- water present either above or below the surface
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Hydrophytic
vegetation - vegetation
that is adapted to living in wet conditions. Examples of
hydrophytic vegetation include: pitcher plants, lady slippers,
jack-in-the-pulpit, sedges, tamarack, black spruce
How does
WCA relate to the SWCD?
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Serving as the Local
Government Unit (LGU)
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Providing information
regarding wetlands and requirements of WCA
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Provide assistance as
needed regarding wetland restoration, replacement plans and banking
procedures
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Serve as a member of the
Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP)
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