Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Program Update – WCA Rulemaking LGU Listening Sessions, Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program
Date: 9/20/2024
WCA Rulemaking LGU Listening Sessions
Two listening sessions will be held to solicit feedback on the current rulemaking effort.
October 9 (1-3pm)
October 15 (10am-12pm)
These sessions are an opportunity for WCA local government unit staff, SWCD staff serving on WCA Technical Evaluation Panels, their representatives, and other staff directly involved in the implementation of WCA to provide feedback on BWSR’s proposed rule changes. Various components of potential rule changes have been discussed and presented through both formal and informal means. Recorded presentations, the rulemaking plan, and a compilation of comments received can be found here. A complete draft of the revised rule will be made available a week or so prior to the first session. At that time, participants will be asked to identify specific parts of the draft rule they would like to discuss/comment on during the session and send it to lewis.brockette@state.mn.us. We will use this feedback to prioritize topics during the session. Note that although there have been several notices and comment periods published in the State Register (2015, 2022, 2024), BWSR will continue to accept any comments on rulemaking up to publication of the draft rules in the State Register this winter. That will initiate the more formal portion of the rulemaking process whereby there will be additional opportunities to provide comments during specified comment periods as required by state law. BWSR’s WCA rulemaking involves modifying the rule to incorporate statute changes from 2011-2024, developing new provisions as directed by statute, and modifying other parts to improve outcomes and implementation. BWSR’s rulemaking cannot modify the statutory changes, it can only add clarification where needed.
You must register to attend a session. Use the following form to register: https://www.cognitoforms.com/BWSR9/DraftWCARuleListeningSessionForLocalGovernmentStaff. An email with information on how to join, logistics, and agenda will be sent to all qualified registrants prior to the date of the session.
Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program
Applications involving the use of the Local Government Road Wetland Replacement Program (LGRWRP) that have been signed by the TEP should be sent to LGRWRP.BWSR@state.mn.us. This change in contact has been updated on Attachment E of the Joint Application Form as well as BWSR’s guidance on preparing and processing LGRWRP applications. Please review the guidance document and make sure these applications are routed correctly for processing.