Discussion:
The replacement plan, as proposed by Valleyfair, Inc., would fill approximately 4.52 acres of wetland as part of their parking lot expansion and road relocation project. The impacted wetlands are proposed to be replaced at a 2:1 ratio for a total of 9.04 acres of replacement. Replacement is to be provided through a combination of project-specific (on-site) replacement in addition to the purchase of wetland credits from an approved wetland bank within the same Bank Service Area.
The application was noticed to the TEP, which consists of a City staff member and representatives from the Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR), the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD), on March 24, 2017. The TEP, established by the WCA, provides professional, technical review of wetland issues. The TEP had the opportunity to review and provide comments to the LGU through April 13, 2017. No comments were received by the TEP.
The wetland replacement plan is being proposed to accommodate an expansion of their parking lot and relocation of a roadway. The placement of the parking lot and roadway was designed as to minimize the amount of impact to the existing wetlands. Please see the attached replacement plan application and site plan for reference.