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LRRWMO Meeting Minutes May 20, 1992 Page 6 Schrantz and Jankowski agreed the county, unlike a developer, will be here; we know where to find it. Mr. Fischer sug- gested the LRRWMO consider establishing a policy of exempting projects affecting wetlands if the impact is less than a certain acreage or perhaps enroll these small projects in a banking account to be mitigated at a later date on a larger scale. Schrantz was uncertain if this board could legally carry out Fischer's suggestions. Mr. Fischer confirmed that now under the interim guidelines maintenance measures are no longer automatically exempt. Weaver stated this is an existing ditch served by a culvert and queried whether there is a ditch law that would apply to activities within it. Mr. Fischer stated that law would only be effective if records show regular maintenance of that ditch. He indicated although the ditch looks fairly clean, he did not think the county has done ditch maintenance for many years. Schrantz concurred, stating that farmers have taken care of it. Discussion continued on the board's legal responsibilities in such a situation, especially during the interim regulation period. Jankowski stated he would personally be in favor of exempting the county unless the LRRWMO is told it is not allowed to do so. Schrantz stated the board can do that, but we previously agreed every project would pay its own way so as not to create a financial burden on the LRRWMO's limited budget. Schultz stated these county maintenance projects will still have to go to our Consulting Engineer for his review. Schrantz concurred, adding that engineering costs will be either assessed to either the county or the watershed. Schultz recommended the county submit the normal LRRWMO application fee for review, expenses shall be taken out of that fee, and the remaining balance returned to the county at the proper time. Mr. Fischer felt the county fell into two categories: regular maintenance projects and major construction projects. He preferred that the LRRWMO establish a policy whereby the county would be automatically exempt for maintenance projects, and perhaps Barr Engineering would not have to be involved. Erickson agreed with Mr. Fischer's suggestion that perhaps the smaller mitigation acreage amounts could be banked toward future mitigation projects. Mr. Fischer further suggested perhaps the county could be allowed to enhance a project if there would be no mitigation.