MN HF3494

Establishes a priority order for siting wetland replacement, prioritizing on-site or same minor watershed replacement, followed by same watershed, same county, wetland banking in the same service area, and project-specific replacement in adjacent watersheds.

Allows exceptions to the priority order for areas greater than 80 percent in greater-than-80-percent impact areas, for adjacent wetland bank service areas when credits are unavailable, and for statewide public transportation projects with specified replacement ratios in the seven-county metropolitan area.

For mining permits under section 93.481, wetland bank service areas delineated by the Lake Superior and Rainy River watershed basins are considered a single wetland bank service area.

Adds provisions requiring local government units to accept wetland boundary or type determination applications from landowners, with decisions made within 10 calendar days and valid for three years unless natural or artificial hydrological changes occur.

Establishes a local appeals process for designated staff decisions, requiring the local government unit to rule within 45 days of appeal receipt, with time extensions available by mutual written agreement between appellant and local government unit.

Allows landowners to appeal restoration or replacement orders to the board within 30 days of written notice, with the board's executive director making a final decision within 60 days of petition receipt.

Establishes a maximum appeal filing fee of $1,000 to defray administrative costs, exempt from rulemaking procedures.