The SCOTUS ruling could have a domino effect on wetlands across the US. “There are a lot of states that really don’t have any other protections,” said Becky Wozney of the Anoka Conservation District. But wetlands in Anoka County should be safe from future development. “All in all I’m not worried about it on the local or state level,” Wozney said.
Firewall of protection
Thanks to a firewall of protection called the Minnesota wetlands conservation act, pristine areas like the Blaine Wetlands Sanctuary won’t be impacted by new regulations.
“Those wetlands are protected by the wetlands conservation act and still will be,” Wozney said.
This is good news for North Metro resident Kelly Foltmer. She uses the boardwalk at the Blaine wetlands often and enjoys the scenery and serenity of this natural setting.
“I love having it here and I’m so grateful that it is protected,” Foltmer said…”I can essentially walk right out my door to go 2 1/2 blocks and I am right in the wetlands – which is fabulous.”
Open spaces
There is plenty of wildlife to see at the Blaine Wetlands Sanctuary – colorful birds, waterfowl, wildflowers, trees and wide open horizons.
According to Wozney, the wetlands conservation act does not stop development, but controls it.
“It can be frustrating maybe for individuals at times because they think they can’t build exactly what they wanted,” Wozney said. “To be honest those houses there are going to have a higher value because of this wetlands sanctuary…When people come to Blaine this is one of their showcases. This is what they put on their website because there’s the boardwalk and things like that. It’s an open space.”
When you boil it down, protecting natural areas is a win-win.
Said Foltmer: “It adds great value to our properties and our quality of life.”
“Aesthetically and for quality of life – even for your housing stock – it really raises the value,” Wozney said..
Minnesota has over 10 million acres of wetlands. These areas provide wildlife habitat and filter pollutants and sediment out of water, which lessens the chance of floods from snow melt or rain.
