Building Permits and Wetlands
The conversation usually happens like this... "All I wanted to do was build a garage on my own property.

I asked my neighbor what to do and he said to call the city or county and fill out the form for a building permit.

When I did, the City planner told me to call the county environmental inspector. When I finally found his number, he told me I needed a wetland delineation. What is a wetland delineation?

Who is the core of engineers (Corps of Engineers)? I thought the city was the only place that I needed to call. Don't they say they are a one stop shop? How much does a wetland delineation cost?

It's only wet in the Spring!"

This is a common conversation when it comes to wetland permitting. Wetlands are highly regulated by several environmental agencies because they hold our water. No one wants to be flooded because his neighbor drained a wetland.

Today, wetland issues are complicated and sensitive. You can try to go it alone, but it's likely, at the end of the day, you will be alone-- without a building permit.

Acorn has trained, certified, and experienced wetland delineators. If you have a question about building permits and wetlands or wetland regulations give us a call. We may be able to help you get a wetland exemption, a wetland letter of permission from the Corps of Engineers, or that wetland permit you need in order to get your building permit so you can build your driveway, addition or garage.

Every year Acorn gets a call from John Q Public asking for advice. Send us an email or give us a call. If the questions are not too complicated it's free. If you need our help we will prepare a free cost proposals or help you make a wetland budget. Don't go it alone when it comes to wetland permits. Find a consultant that will work for you.

If you fill a wetland without a permit you better watch out. The laws are clear and they are very strict. A cease and desist order could cost you thousands of dollars to resolve and at the end you may never get the wetland permit you wanted. Don't fill or drain any wetlands without a permit in your hand.

Click here to contact Acorn about wetland services

Acorn Environmental can compete comprehensive wetland work all across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa or North Dakota and South Dakota's state boundaries.

A wetland delineation is more than a line along the water. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) along with the NRCS, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) have worked together to establish a working solution to provide consistency in determining wetland boundaries. A three parameter approach has been developed. Wetlands are driven by water at or near the soil surface. The first criterion is a hydrophytic plant community. The second is wetland hydrology and the third is hydric soils.

If you have some time and want some quiet reading click the link below and you will can learn more about the three parameter approach for determining wetland. (vegetation, hydrology and soils) Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual 1987 new regional wetland delineation supplements

Click the Acorn wetland services link for more information about environmental solutions for your site.