Agenda

Registration:                    8:00 – 8:30 am

Morning Session:             8:30 – 11:45 am

Lunch (On your own):       11:45 am – 12:45 pm

Afternoon Session:           12:45 – 4:35 pm

Introduction and Objectives
Identifying Wetlands

   What is a wetland

   Identifying wetlands (3 parameter approach)

   Other non-wetland aquatic resources

Wetland Functions and Values

   Understanding the importance of wetlands

      • Flood storage and conveyance

      • Water quality

      • Pollution control and carbon storage

      • Erosion control

      • Wildlife habitat

      • Recreation

Understanding Federal Law and Minnesota’s Wetland Laws

   Federal laws

      • National Food Security Act of 1985

      • U.S. Department of Agriculture (NRCS)

      • Clean Water Act – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

      • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

   Minnesota state regulations

      • Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA)

      • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

      • Local ordinances/watersheds

Wetlands Permitting Process

   Wetland delineations

   Public waters/MPARS

   Wetland permitting processes – the Joint Application and WCA/Corps

      • Notice provisions

      • Review process

      • Mitigation/compensation requirements

      • Appeals process

Compensatory Wetland Mitigation/Banking

   Forms of mitigation

      • On-site/project specific

      • In-lieu-fee

      • Banking

   Methods

      • Creation

      • Restoration

      • Preservation

Credits

Attorneys
     6.5 Minnesota CLE Hours
     7.5 Wisconsin CLE Hours

Professional Engineers & Geologists
     6.5 PDHs

Floodplain Managers
     6.5 ASFPM CECs

Continuing Education Credit Information

This seminar is open to the public and is approved for 6.5 standard CLE hours for Minnesota attorneys. The Wisconsin Board of Bar Examiners has approved this course for 7.5 CLE hours.

This seminar offers 6.5 PDHs to Minnesota professional engineers and geologists to whom the subject matter is professionally relevant. Educators and courses are not subject to preapproval in Minnesota.

Minnesota engineers and geologists with continuing education requirements in other states will be able to apply the hours earned at this seminar, in most cases. Refer to specific state rules to determine eligibility.

The Association of State Floodplain Managers has approved this event for 6.5 CECs for certified floodplain managers.

Attendance will be monitored, and attendance certificates will be available after the seminar for most individuals who complete the entire event. Attendance certificates not available at the seminar will be mailed to participants within fifteen business days.

Speakers

Ben Meyer

Mr. Meyer is a wetland specialist with the Board of Water and Soils Resources (BWSR) located in the Central Office in St. Paul. He provides technical and administrative direction, program implementation and evaluation, and project oversight regarding wetland protection to BWSR staff, board members and local government units (LGU). Mr. Meyer is responsible for providing technical and program administrative training to BWSR staff members, officials and staff of LGUs and other government and private organizations involved with and affected by the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). Prior to joining BWSR, he was an environmental consultant for 13 years conducting wetland delineations, permitting and other natural resources work. He has a B.S. degree in Biology from Northland College and an M.S. degree in Soil Science from the University of Minnesota. He is a Minnesota-certified wetland delineator, professional wetland scientist and past president of the Minnesota Wetland Professionals Association.

Dennis Rodacker

Mr. Rodacker is a senior wetland specialist with the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in St. Paul. His primary duties include Wetland Conservation Act program policy development, interagency coordination with the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, and coordination and lead instruction for the Wetland Delineators Certification Program (WDCP) with the University of Minnesota. Over the past 16 years, Mr. Rodacker has worked as a soil scientist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service studying soil formation and mapping; as an environmental consultant conducting wetland delineations, permitting and other natural resources work; and as a wetland specialist at Anoka Conservation District working primarily on wetland regulations. Mr. Rodacker holds a B.S degree in Soil Science and is a Minnesota-licensed professional soil scientist, as well as a Minnesota certified wetland delineator.

Cade Steffenson

Mr. Steffenson is a Wetland Specialist with the Board of Water and Soil Resources, based out of the St. Cloud office and covers central MN. His main duties include providing technical assistance and administrative guidance to local government units (LGU) in their implementation of the MN Wetland Conservation Act (WCA). In addition, Mr. Steffenson is involved with rule making, development of alternative mitigation strategies in NE MN, and providing technical and administrative trainings to many agency and private individuals. Prior to this position, he worked in the Environmental Services Department in Mille Lacs County, acting as the WCA LGU for over 12 years. He has also held positions with the Lake the Woods SWCD, South Dakota Game, Fish, & Parks, MN DNR, and MN Pollution Control Agency. He earned a B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Ecology and Natural Resources from St. Cloud State University with a focus on Aquatic system biomonitoring. He is also a MN Certified Wetland Delineator.

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