Wetlands serve a variety of beneficial functions including maintaining water quality by filtering pollutants, reducing flooding and erosion, providing food and habitat for wildlife, and providing open space for human interaction.  Wetlands are an important asset to the city and residents who live here.  

Surrounding development may degrade, pollute, or accelerate the aging of or eliminate wetlands.  For this reason the City of Maplewood has a wetland ordinance which is intended to preserve the beneficial functions of wetlands and streams by:

• Regulating the surrounding land use
• Educate the public regarding the development limitations of wetlands, streams, and associated buffers
• Encourage property owners who live adjacent to and/or near wetlands and streams to be responsible stewards including managing and enhancing the quality of buffers and restoring the buffer to a diverse planting of deep-rooted native plants 

On December 14, 2009, the city council adopted the second reading of the wetland ordinance.  This ordinance revises the city's wetland regulations in its entirety and adopts by reference a new wetland map.  Follow the links below to view the revised wetland ordinance, wetland map, resident's wetland guide (information for residents and businesses who are adjacent a wetland), and wetland management worksheet (which may be required when altering a wetland buffer):

• Wetland Ordinance (December 14, 2009)
• Wetland Map (December 14, 2009)
• Resident's Wetland Guide
• Wetland Management Worksheet

Questions regarding the wetland ordinance and map can be referred to Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner at (651) 249-2304 or email or Virginia Gaynor, Natural Resources Coordinator at (651) 249-2415 or email. 

The largest watershed in the City of Maplewood is Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District (RWMWD).  There are two other watersheds located within the city boundaries:  Valley Branch Watershed District encompasses the Silver Lake area (northeast portion of Maplewood) and Capitol Region Watershed District is located within the northwestern portion of Maplewood, west of McMenemy Street.  Click here to see which watershed district your property is located in.  Make sure to view information on the watershed district's programs and grant opportunities.