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Staff recommends wetlands delineation contract and outlines plat, mitigation options and budget timing
Summary
Planning staff told the committee they will seek a wetlands delineation and jurisdictional determination, with options to avoid, mitigate, or buy credits; engineering bids were favorable and staff asked the committee to review leases and budget items ahead of June meetings.
Planning staff briefed the Missouri Valley Complex Committee on the platting process, wetlands delineation and next steps for mitigation, and urged the committee to prepare operating and planning budget requests.
A staff presenter noted the complex is zoned for public use and that a wetlands delineation and a jurisdictional determination from the court are needed before finalizing the plat. The contractor 'More Engineering' submitted a low bid for work that staff said was roughly one‑third of the presenter’s initial expectation; staff recommended moving the desktop review and contract forward so field work and delineation can begin within weeks.
Staff described three mitigation paths if wetlands are present: avoid them by moving the plat, develop a mitigation plan that could carry higher replacement ratios (1:1, 2:1 or 3:1 depending on wetland type), or pursue credits through Ducks (DUCs) if available to purchase in‑lieu credits. The presenter said a Ducks‑type credits approach can shorten permitting timelines if credits are available but that availability must be confirmed.
Staff asked the committee to prepare budget requests for '26 planning dollars and stage‑3 development costs, and confirmed timing: preliminary budgets should be turned in by June 13 and the committee will review the complex operating budget on June 18. Committee members agreed to gather lease copies ahead of that meeting so leases can inform form/function discussions.
The presenter said the goal is to have a plan wrapped up by the end of the year, subject to data from delineation and any court rulings on jurisdictional status; after the delineation staff will produce mitigation options and cost estimates for committee review.
