Sec. 9. (a) The owner of a Class III wetland may petition the board for designation of the wetland as an outstanding state protected wetland. Upon verification by the board that the wetland is a Class III wetland and that the petitioner is the owner of the wetland, the board shall conduct a proceeding under IC 4-22-2 and IC 13-14 to adopt a rule designating the wetland as an outstanding state protected wetland.
(b) A rule adopted by the board under subsection (a) must specifically identify each wetland to be designated as an outstanding state protected wetland, including:
(1) the wetland type;
(2) a legal description of the wetland as delineated; and
(3) other information considered necessary by the board.
(c) The owner of a Class III wetland designated as an outstanding state protected wetland under this section shall:
(1) not cause or allow any anthropogenic activities on the property on which the wetland is located that may adversely affect or degrade the wetland, except for activities with minimal and short term effect, such as construction of an observation pathway or installation of an underground pipeline that are:
(A) authorized by rules adopted by the board; or
(B) approved by the department in the absence of rules under clause (A); and
(2) provide for the long term assurance of the protections described in subdivision (1) through:
(A) a restrictive covenant that is recorded with respect to the property on which the delineated wetland is located; or
(B) a grant of title to or a conservation easement in the property on which the delineated wetland is located to:
(i) the department of natural resources; or
(ii) a nonprofit entity with demonstrated ability in the maintenance and protection of wetlands.
(d) Notwithstanding the designation of a wetland under this section by the board as an outstanding state protected wetland, the owner of a Class III wetland may petition the board for rescission of the designation if the owner can demonstrate important social or economic needs that warrant adverse effects to the wetland. In its review of the petition, the board shall give great weight to a resolution of the legislative body of the municipality or county in which the Class III wetland is located describing important social or economic needs, the accomplishment of which would necessitate adverse effects to the wetland.
As added by P.L.282-2003, SEC.38.
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