Wetlands in Minnesota are regulated under a variety of local, state, and federal programs. Oftentimes two or more of these programs cover the same wetland. In some cases, various portions of the same wetland will be regulated by different programs.
The three major wetland regulatory programs of statewide importance are the Department of Natural Resources Public Waters Work Permit Program, the Wetland Conservation Act, and the federal Section 404 permit program administered by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. There are a variety of additional laws relating to wetlands that may be highly important depending upon the circumstances. Even if approval is obtained under the three major programs described above, additional approvals may be required under other programs.
Regulated Minnesota Wetlands
Public waters wetlands are regulated by the State of Minnesota. Public waters wetlands, as defined in United States Fish and Wildlife Service Circular No. 39 (1971 edition), not included within the definition of public waters, that are ten or more acres in size in unincorporated areas or 2-1/2 or more acres in incorporated areas.
Public waters wetlands, along with other public waters, have been inventoried by the DNR and are shown on the DNR’s map of public waters and wetlands for each county. These maps do not show precise wetland locations or boundaries. View the maps filed with the auditor of each county at the DNR Public Waters Inventory website.
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