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Engineer: wetlands cover roughly a quarter of Missouri Valley Complex; permitting changes could slow timelines
Summary
A Swenson & Hagen representative told the Missouri Valley Complex Committee preliminary mapping shows 130–140 acres of wetlands on the complex, and recent changes in Corps permitting and mitigation rules may increase mitigation ratios and costs, affecting plat and infrastructure timelines.
A Swenson & Hagen representative briefing the Missouri Valley Complex Committee said preliminary field work indicates roughly 130 to 140 acres of wetlands within the property, and recent changes to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ wetland permitting process could lengthen timelines and increase mitigation costs.
The committee heard that Moore Engineering has completed field work for a draft report and that staff will distribute exhibits for committee review. The presenter said a quick review of aerial maps shows wetlands concentrated along Hay Creek, Centennial, and west of the racetrack, and that wetlands and floodplain overlap in parts of the complex.
“Maybe we're talking somewhere in the neighborhood of about a 130 to a 140 acres of various wetlands within the property,” the presenter said. The representative also said a mitigation-bank credit program is currently pricing credits at roughly $75,000 per acre and that recent court activity has prompted the Corps to revert to a 2008 mitigation rule in some cases, which could make permitting harder and slower.
Staff estimated that planned roadway relocations or roadway expansion could affect approximately 3 to 5 acres of wetlands, which would trigger mitigation requirements. The presenter said mitigation ratios could change under the revised approach; what had been a 1:1 mitigation ratio in some cases may move to 2:1 or higher depending on the wetland quality, and some impacts could be priced using bank credits at higher multipliers.
Committee members raised schedule questions. Staff said that because a plat revision and possible design changes will depend on the wetland delineation and Corps requirements, September may be early to hold a detailed presentation with Moore Engineering; a follow-up meeting in October was suggested if additional time is needed to digest the draft report. The presenter also noted that an outstanding sewer line project tied to the site will be checked with county staff and that infrastructure timelines could slip depending on permitting outcomes.
The committee asked staff to circulate the draft report and exhibits and to schedule a meeting with Moore Engineering once members have had time to review the materials. Staff said they will follow up with Moore Engineering and provide updates at the committee’s next meeting.
