Missouri Valley Complex committee recommends bid for wetland delineation using complex fund

The Missouri Valley Complex Committee voted to recommend that the Burleigh County Commission put a wetland delineation for the Missouri Valley Complex site out to bid and use Missouri Valley Complex fund money to pay for the work.

Committee members said the delineation is a prerequisite to finalizing the site’s preliminary and final plats because the precise wetland boundaries could change road alignments, stormwater ponds or building footprints. The committee discussed timing—members said delineation work is season-dependent and that the growing season likely affects when on-the-ground delineation can start.

Auditor (presenter) said the federal wetlands maps offer only a preliminary guide and that an on‑the‑ground delineation is required to confirm actual wetland boundaries. “You can go to the federal wetlands mapper; they will show you areas that they believe have wetlands. That is not the same thing as having a firm author and actually verified on the ground,” the auditor said.

Committee members and staff discussed bidding, cost, and timing. One participant said recent delineations they knew of ranged widely in cost; committee members discussed ballpark estimates in the meeting, including suggestions in the range of $10,000–$15,000 and at least one reference to a higher past figure. Planning staff told the committee the delineation work typically requires growing‑season fieldwork and that a delineation could be a few months out if the group waits for ideal timing.

The committee voted on a motion to recommend that the Burleigh County Commission solicit bids for wetland delineation at the Missouri Valley Complex and to use Missouri Valley Complex fund monies to pay for the delineation contract. The motion carried after a roll call of committee members.

Members asked staff to provide a ballpark price estimate to support the request to the county commission and discussed whether the committee should request funding from the county or pay out of Missouri Valley Complex funds. Planning staff recommended delaying a final plat submission until after the delineation so the plat can reflect confirmed wetland locations and avoid rework.

Committee members also discussed coordinating the delineation ask with several other items planned for a county commission update, including ag and hay leases and progress on zoning. Several members urged the committee to appear before the Burleigh County Commission with a consolidated update and the delineation funding request.

The committee chair set the next Missouri Valley Complex Committee meeting for April 16 and directed staff to prepare the materials for the April 7 county commission update, including a request to bid the delineation work.

The motion to recommend bidding the delineation was recorded as approved by the committee during the meeting.