The identification and delineation of wetlands is an essential component of the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) regulatory program as well as Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as administered by the St. Paul District Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) in Minnesota. Both WCA and Corps regulatory programs in Minnesota utilize the same standards, resources and methodologies for identifying and delineating wetlands.
The basis for wetland identification and delineation starts with the 1987 Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (87 Manual). Regional Supplements to the 87 Manual have been developed for specific Land Resource Regions (LRRs). Minnesota contains portions of 3 different LRRs each with its own regional supplement. Wetland determinations/delineations conducted in Minnesota for regulatory purposes must use the regional supplement associated with the LRR where the determination/delineation is conducted. For ease in implementation, Minnesota has developed an LRR map where regional boundaries follow the closest fit township boundaries.
Land Resource Region Boundaries by Township (pdf)
In addition to the delineation manuals, this page of the website includes numerous technical guidance and resource documents related to wetland delineation and determinations including vegetation, hydrology and soils (Delineation Guidance & Resources). You can find information on lateral effect and drainage setbacks as well as hydrology monitoring, antecedent precipitation analysis (Hydrology & Antecedent Precipitation)and many other related topics.
DO YOU NEED A WETLAND DELINEATION?
If yes, you must hire a qualified consultant to complete the delineation and required report. A report meeting BWSR/Corps requirements must be submitted to the applicable Local Government Unit (LGU) administering the Wetland Conservation Act in the area. A directory of wetland consultants is maintained by the Minnesota Wetland Professionals Association (link). A current list of wetland professionals that have passed BWSR's Minnesota Wetland Professional Certification Program test can be found here (near the bottom of the page). You can also contact the LGU where a delineation is needed as some maintain their own lists of consultants practicing in their area. If your project involves working with an engineering firm, many will have in-house wetland professionals or will be associated with a company that provides wetland delineation services.