This holds true for both Greater Minnesota and the metropolitan area. While it is easy to dismiss the effects of these small wetland projects as unimportant, their cumulative impact is significant. A full understanding of trends will have to wait until the data from subsequent years are available. It should be noted that there are inherent difficulties in assessing wetland numbers, particularly the number of acres avoided and minimized, and even the number of proposed projects that actually threaten wetlands. Authorities have questioned whether proposed development plans may have deliberately overestimated wetland impacts in order to achieve the appearance of minimizing impacts.
Many authorities are themselves uncertain about what qualifies as avoidance.
On the other hand, the very existence of WCA may deter development impacts to wetlands even before they reach the purview of local authorities. With the implementation of LARS in 1998, reporting has been standardized and is likely to improve with further refinements to the system. B. Additional WCA Aspects B1. As part of the 1996 amendments to the WCA, BWSR assumed the responsibility from local governments for replacing wetlands lost through repair and rehabilitation of existing roads throughout the state. In addition, replacement of wetlands in the metro must take place in the metro area.