2010-17CITY OF RICHFIELD
BILL NO. 2010-17
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO WETLAND
PROTECTION; AMENDING CHAPTER IV OF THE
RICHFIELD CITY CODE
THE CITY OF RICHFIELD DOES ORDAIN:
Section 1. Chapter IV of the Richfield City Code is amended by adding the
following Section:
Section 427 -Wetland Protection
427.01. Purpose. The purpose of this section is to achieve the policies
described in the city's surface water management plan relating to wetland
management.
427.03. Administration. The City will act as the Local Government Unit
(LGU) for administration of the Wetland Conservation Act, Minnesota
Statutes, Sections 103G.221 through 103G.2372 (WCA).
427.05. Buffer. No activity requiring a permit under the WCA will be
permitted without providing for a buffer meeting the requirements of City
Code, Subsection 429.06.
427.07. Wetland filling, draining and dredging regulations. The Wetland
Conservation Act, as amended, and the rules implementing the Wetland
Conservation Act as set forth in Minnesota Rules, chapter 8420, as
amended, are incorporated as part of these regulations and shall govern
draining, filling, and dredging in wetlands with the following additional
requirements:
Subdivision 1. Replacement for excavation in wetlands that is not
subject to the WCA shall be at a ratio of one acre of replaced wetland for
each acre of excavated wetland, but only where such excavation is in
wetlands within the jurisdiction of the Minnehaha Creek Watershed
District.
Subd. 2. Wildlife habitat. Excavations in wetlands for the
purposes of wildlife habitat enhancement must comply with the criteria
described in the DNR publication "Excavated Ponds for Waterfowl" (1992).
Subd. 3. Wetland improvement. Excavation shall be deemed self-
replacing if an applicant demonstrates that the wetland to be excavated is
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degraded; the proposed activity would increase the wetland's function and
value, as determined using the current version of the Minnesota routine
Assessment Method or other method approved by the City; and the
enhanced wetland function and value are likely to be preserved.
Subd. 4. Replacement wetlands. Wetland replacement, where
permitted, shall occur in the same subwatershed as the associated
wetland impact when the wetland impact is within the jurisdiction of the
Minnehaha Creek Watershed District.
Sec. 2. This ordinance is effective in accordance with section 3.09 of the
Richfield City Charter.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 14t"
day of September, 2010.
c
Debbie Goettel, Mayor
ATTEST:
Nancy Gibbs ity Clerk
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