Wetlands Pilot Project in International Falls

The City of International Falls has been selected by the United States Army Corps of Engineers as the pilot for a plan to comprehensively coordinate state and federal wetlands management rules.

The City of International Falls had previously been awarded a grant by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) to develop a 'Comprehensive Wetland Management Plan' under state law.

“This is a historic moment for the city, the Army Corps of Engineers, and BWSR," says Mayor Shawn Mason. "For too long, our residents and business owners have been frustrated that the city, state, and federal government could not get on the same page when it came to each agency’s obligations for regulation of development that impacts wetlands. We are now on the same page.”

Councilor Tim “Chopper” McBride, chair of the city’s Economic Development Committee says its recognition of the city's concerns that existing wetlands policies were hurting development in the city.

“It has taken a long time from our perspective to get an understanding from the federal government of the unique challenges our city faces when it comes to development,” says McBride. "We have now reached an accord with the Army Corps. They heard our concerns and agreed to use their resources to expand the plan we are presently developing to meet all regulatory requirements whether these requirements are federal, state or local.”

The construction of a new hospitals is among projects that have been impacted by current rules governing wetlands.