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NEWS 8~ NOTES public waters wetlands, there's almost al- ways afringe area that is regulated by WCA," said John Linc Stine, water manage- ment administratorforDNR Waters. Rules promulgated now are establishing processes to coordinate decision-making between the state and local governments. "In some cases, it could mean the DNR could defer to locals and, in other cases, locals could defer to DNR," he said. The goal of these changes, according to Stine, is to reduce the number of approvals or permits that are required from landowners. Some of the other proposed changes to the DNR public waters work permit program rules include revisions toreduce the number of permits required for shoreline restoration projects that incorporate lake-friendly practices such as reestablishing natural vegetation. In addition, the state's permit requirements for docks will be clarified to reduce the regulation of docks to be con- sistent with local government approvals. "Again," Stine said, "this will reduce the duplication of permitting for the benefit of Minnesota landowners without decreasing the level of natural resource protection." Permit requirements for commercial mar- inas will not be changed, according to Stine- Other changes in the rules include updating language references, procedural requirements, and permitting authorities from previous law changes that have not been incorporated into the rules. The rules for public water work permits were last changed in 1983, Stine said. The formal 30-day comment period for DNR's rulemaking process has not yet been determined. That will begin afterDNR publishes a notice in the State Register. Information on the process will be available on the DNR website: www.dnr.state.mn.us_ It is expected that the process for the WCA and DNR rule changes will be completed this summer. recently- developed environmental law. In January, the MN Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that Big Stone County must obtain wetlands permits for a.proposed ag drainage ditch, and, because a 66-acre wetland would be eliminated, produce a full Environmental Impact Statement- New UIm Area Sport Fishermen, the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River, the DNR and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) supported the protections. On March 11, the BWSR Review Panel decided to recommend to the B WSR Board to reverse the Rice Creek Watershed Dis- trict'sgranting of aWetlands Conservation Act exemption that would have allowed drainage of land for the advantage of agri- cultural uses in Washington County. Update on wetlands cases In the Winter issue, Jan Carter- Goldman wrote about the Minne- sota Center for Environmental Advo-cacy's efforts via the judicial system to bring outmoded drainage law into harmony with more In the same time frame, proponents of a controversial drainage project near Lake Emily in Pope County asked the County to dismiss its petition, essentially giving up rather than face further scrutiny of the Beautify Your Lakeshore! • Utilize native species in a colorful and low maintenance design • Enhance lake water quality and wildlife habitat • Enjoy an ever-changing and evolving landscape FOCUS on the Waters APTZIL 2002 21 Create a beautiful and ecologically sound shoreline landscape