SYMPOSIUM PRESENTER CO-AUTHOR: Dennis Rodacker, Minnesota Board of Water & Soil Resources TITLE: Condition of wetland banks following initial establishment & active management ABSTRACT: Wetland condition is the relative ability of a wetland to support and maintain functions comparable to a reference wetland in a particular region. The ability of compensatory wetland mitigation banks to maintain and support wetland functions is related to their condition. Wetland banks are required to meet performance standards that are associated with corresponding credit releases. It is assumed that these wetland banks are in good condition as credits are released and used. However, the condition of wetland banks after credits are released and used is typically not quantitatively assessed. In 2020-21, we evaluated the condition of 105 wetlands within 68 wetland banks using Minnesota's Rapid Floristic Quality Assessment methodology. All banks were 6-15 years old, had been determined to meet performance standards, all credits had been released, and required annual monitoring had ended. The condition of wetlands in these banks was compared to wetlands statewide and within each of Minnesota's four ecoregions. Additionally, wetland condition was compared to environmental stressors and other management strategies used in bank development and establishment. The condition of wetland banks was similar to other wetlands in the state except for the Mixed Wood Shield ecoregion in the northeast. Environmental stressors associated with human disturbance in the surrounding landscape appeared to negatively influence condition ratings. Management frequency and seed mix diversity had little influence on condition ratings, while control of hybrid cattail appeared to have a positive influence on condition. Although sample sizes among the variables considered in this study were too small for statistical analysis, the data indicate potential trends that could be further explored through additional sampling. BIO: Ken Powell received a bachelor’s degree in wildlife from UW-Stevens Point and master’s degree in biology from Kansas State University. Ken has worked for the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources for the past 15 years managing the state's wetland regulatory program, the Minnesota Wetland Conservation Act. He is a Professional Wetland Scientist and Certified Wildlife Biologist.