ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE FILING FOR A PERMIT | WTPA

Use these environmental mapping tools before filing for a permit when a project involves land disturbance, shoreland, subdivision, driveway or access review, floodplain questions, or other sensitive site conditions. The purpose is to help applicants and staff identify environmental constraints early and avoid incomplete submittals.

Important: This checklist is a screening tool. It does not replace ordinance review, state or county approvals, or project-specific staff comments. Some items below use public mapping tools, and some are reviewed through local GIS layers and ordinance standards.

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Minnesota Biological Survey / Conservation Planning (Recommended First Step)

Open MBS / CPR Tool

  1. Open the link and make an account.
  2. Click Conservation Planning.
  3. Click Explore.
  4. Define your project area.
  5. Run the Conservation Planning Report.
Important: The Conservation Planning Report is free and is the best place to start scoping project demands. A Natural Heritage Review is also available, but it is not free and is not always needed.

National Wetlands Inventory (NWI)

Open Wetlands Mapper

  1. Open the link and zoom to your project area.
Disclaimer: You are able to click on any of the wetlands to review their characteristics.
This site does not show all wetlands, so additional review may be needed.

Impaired Waters

Open Impaired Waters Map

  1. Zoom in to the project area.
  2. Click on nearby water bodies.
  3. Review impairment status and related details.

PWI, Karst Features, Bluffs, and Shoreland

Open Beacon Map

  1. Search for your property.
  2. Use the map layers to turn features on and off.
  3. Check whether the project area includes Public Waters Inventory (PWI), karst features, bluffs, or shoreland areas.

Soil Survey

Open Web Soil Survey

  1. Find your project area.
  2. Use the AOI (Area of Interest) tool to define the site.
  3. Open Soil Map or Soil Data Explorer.
  4. Review soil layers and characteristics relevant to the project.

Setback and Ordinance Review

Open Winona County Zoning Ordinance

  • Review shoreland setback standards
  • Review bluff setback standards
  • Check local township overlay ordinance standards
  • Confirm whether outside permits or agency coordination may be needed

How to Use These Environmental Tools

  1. Start with MBS / Conservation Planning to scope likely environmental review needs.
  2. Use the wetlands and impaired waters maps to review nearby resources.
  3. Use the Beacon map layers to check for PWI, karst, bluffs, and shoreland constraints.
  4. Use Web Soil Survey to define an AOI and review soils information.
  5. Bring relevant screenshots, notes, or reports into your WTPA application when site constraints may affect the project.