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Progress on improving the route for the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail has been somewhat complex due to finalizing wetland credit purchases;  but the county commissioners learned last week that a good portion of this necessary step is packaged and purchases are ready to be finalized.  The expenditure was approved unanimously.

The Legacy trail grant that the county won for work on the trail requires wetland protections and mitigation, as under the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA), and since the state funding award was announced— this has been a work in progress.

Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider explained some of the issues behind the wetland hurdles to the County Board last week.

Identifying the expense to secure wetland credits, or protected wetlands, has been a hurdle. The grant doesn’t allow for the costs to be part of the county “match” so staff have been looking at how to acquire credits for the least budget impact.  

Schneider said the staff remain optimistic that actual construction and contract costs will present savings but, he added, “... we are at the mercy of broader (WCA) market and pending state versus federal wetland determinations.” 

The layout of the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail has been modified where slopes and alignment can avoid wetlands.  The tricky part is making sure the trail meets handicap accommodations, and guidelines for outdoor developed areas.

The Corps of Engineers’ determination has been particularly delayed, but Schneider says engineer consultants and staff have estimated what the wetland credit budget might be for the Corps of Engineers’ regulatory territory.

The county identified a wetland credit program that qualified to meet mitigation needs in Carleton, a corner of Mille Lacs, Pine, Chisago and part of Washington County.

The Board was recommended to secure credit acres with Hinckley-based Dave Jensen group for $145,422.  The total wetland credits could run to $278,716 depending on the awaited Corps calculations.

“The sooner the county commits to a purchase agreement of needed wetland credits the less likely available credits are committed elsewhere and/or costs go up,” the Board was told.

The use of the Legacy grant money is expiring as of June 20, 2028.  Schneider said the 2027 construction timeline appears to be within grant timelines.

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