Here we go again? We hope not.
We understand the value of our state’s wetlands. They provide public value in a variety of ways, including conserving surface waters, maintaining and improving water quality, preserving wildlife habitat and providing recreational opportunities, just to name a few.
And we understand Gov. Mark Dayton’s directive to state agencies to review wetland rules to ensure that, where it makes sense, existing wetlands are preserved and not destroyed by development and even new wetland areas created
However, in counties like Koochiching, which have retained more than 80 percent of its presettlement wetlands, exemptions now in place must remain.
We fought this battle years ago when state officials didn’t seem to understand the burden that wetland rules placed on Koochiching. These rules that make sense elsewhere, not only hinder, but often prohibit development in our county, where it is truly needed to maintain a quality of life and spur the economy.
Now, local officials fear that a review of the state’s wetland rules could threaten those exemptions.
We urge state officials to get a better understanding of the diverse nature of our state, which should lead to the conclusion that exemptions for some counties not only make sense, but are necessary.
Wetlands in other places in the state have already been destroyed, making way for manufacturing and industrial facilities, businesses and homes — all which have helped to create a strong tax base and healthy economy.
But without the exemptions given to counties like Koochiching, a simple home and driveway may not be allowed without a costly replacement plan.
Now is not the time to punish Koochiching and other wetland-rich counties. We can develop our resources while at the same time maintaining a healthy wetland base.
