The Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) is responsible for promulgation of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) Rules. The WCA Rules are codified in Minnesota Rules Chapter 8420 based on the standards and authorizations contained in state statute. WCA took effect with an interim program in 1992 and began operating under formally adopted rules in January 1994. The Legislature has passed numerous amendments to WCA since its original passage and the rules have undergone multiple revisions. The current WCA Rule was adopted in 2009 and multiple statute changes have occurred since adoption.
Rulemaking in Minnesota follows the procedures outlined in the Minnesota Administrative Procedure Act (APA), Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 14. BWSR staff utilize the Minnesota Rulemaking Manual as a procedural guide for WCA Rulemaking. The current WCA Rulemaking process was initiated in 2015 when an initial request for comments was published in the State Register. A supplemental request for comments was published on January 20, 2022. This page contains information relating to WCA Rulemaking, WCA statutes, public comments, and stakeholder participation.
Rulemaking Information
WCA Rulemaking Plan 4/4/2024 (pdf)
Current WCA Rule (adopted in 2009)
- MN Rules Chapter 8420 (link to the Revisor’s website, listed by rule part)
- MN Rules Chapter 8420 (pdf of entire chapter)
Compilation of Relevant WCA Statutes (link)
2011 – 2017 WCA Statute Changes (link)
Public Involvement and Input
Wetland Bankers Meeting 11-15-2023
Wetlands Advisory Committee Meeting 4-25-23
Wetlands Advisory Committee Meeting 9-27-22
Wetlands Advisory Committee Meeting 8-18-22
Comments Received - 2015 and 2022 Requests for Comments
E-mail Distribution List
If you would like to be added to the e-mail distribution list for WCA rulemaking updates, please e-mail your name (first and last), organization, and e-mail address to bwsr.wcarulemaking@state.mn.us.