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Planning commission grants conditional use permit for Wild Rice river stabilization project
Summary
The Clay County Planning Commission approved a conditional-use permit to install a series of rock weirs and bank stabilization measures on the South Branch of the Wild Rice River to reduce erosion and improve habitat, subject to seven staff conditions including required permits and post‑construction verification.
The Clay County Planning Commission on Nov. 4 approved a conditional‑use permit for a river‑stabilization project on the South Branch of the Wild Rice River proposed by the Wild Rice Watershed District.
Planning staff described the project as excavation and placement of approximately 5,000 cubic yards of riprap, boulders and backfill and construction of a series of rock weirs across roughly 330 feet of channel to stabilize an eroding reach, reestablish natural channel grade and improve fish passage. Staff said no in‑channel work will be allowed between March 15 and June 15 to protect spawning and that modeling indicates the project would raise flood stage by about 0.46 feet—below the 0.5‑foot threshold that would require a map revision.
Jerry Benz, district engineer with Houston Engineering, said the proposal is the first pilot site of up to 14 planned projects along the South Branch to arrest head‑cutting, keep sediment from moving downstream and restore floodplain connectivity. “This is really the first of a pilot site of what we’d like to be 14 of them over time,” Benz said.
Commissioners adopted seven conditions recommended by staff, including obtaining any required federal, state and watershed permits before construction, implementing all BMPs in the approved SWPPP, seeding and mulching disturbed banks immediately after construction, and post‑construction as‑built verification where required. The Wild Rice Watershed District will be responsible for long‑term maintenance and monitoring of the structure and temporary access routes must be restored to pre‑project condition.
The commission’s findings of fact said the conditional use would not be injurious to health or property enjoyment in Clay County and that the project aligns with county and watershed goals to reduce erosion and improve flood resilience. No public opposition was recorded during the hearing.
The commission’s action allows the watershed district to proceed with permitting and final engineering under the imposed conditions.
