The bill amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 103G.222, subdivision 3, to modify the requirements for wetland replacement siting. It establishes a priority order for wetland replacement, which mandates that impacted wetlands outside of areas with more than 80% wetland coverage must not be replaced in such areas. The priority for replacement is outlined in four tiers, starting with the same minor watershed as the impacted wetland and moving to other wetland bank service areas. Additionally, it allows for the use of wetland banking credits from applications submitted by April 1, 1996, for public transportation projects statewide.

The bill also introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding "beneficial replacement opportunities," which are defined by specific ecological criteria, and emphasizes collaboration among restoration efforts to identify potential replacement opportunities. Several clauses from the previous law are deleted, including those that altered the priority order for wetland banking and those that specified the approval process for replacement plans in relation to environmental impact statements. The amendments aim to streamline the wetland replacement process while ensuring ecological integrity and compliance with environmental standards.

Statutes affected:
Introduction: 103G.222