Plan Development - Process

Plan Development

Representatives of broad interests will be invited to participate in determining wetlands public values and the technical aspects of wetland plan development. Interests that may be represented include:
  • Wildlife and Conservation
  • Water Quality
  • Business, Industry and Development
  • Agriculture
  • Local Government
Geographic information systems (GIS) will be used to apply locally-determined, science-based methods to identify and prioritize wetlands for protection and potential wetlands for enhancement and restoration.

Public Participation
The public value of wetlands will be determined using questionnaires and the results of planning meetings.

Project Partners
The main partners are local units of government responsible for administering the Wetland Conservation Act. Other local units of government and state and federal agencies are also partners in the wetland management plan process.

Wetland Conservation Act Local Units of Government
The Wetland Conservation Act is administered by local government units with oversight provided by the Board of Water and Soil Resources. Enforcement of the act is provided by Department of Natural Resources conservation officers and other peace officers. The local government unit responsible for making Wetland Conservation Act decisions is the county or city in which the activity is located or its delegate.

Technical Evaluation Panel


Each local government unit administering the Wetland Conservation Act coordinates a Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP). The TEP membership consists of technical professional employees of the following agencies:

  • Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)
  • Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
  • Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for projects affecting public waters or wetlands within the shoreland protection zone
  • United States Army Corps of Engineers
At least two members of the Technical Evaluation Panel must be knowledgeable and trained in applying methodologies of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota & Wisconsin, Wetlands of the United States (United States Fish and Wildlife Service Circular 39, 1971 edition), and Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin, et al., 1979 edition).

The Technical Evaluation Panel must also be knowledgeable and trained in evaluation of wetland functions and the resulting public value.