Wetland Permits

The wetlands in Washington State differ widely in their functions and values. Some wetland types are common, while others are rare. Some are heavily disturbed while others are still relatively undisturbed. All, however, provide some functions and resources that are valued. These may be ecological, economic, recreational, or aesthetic.

If you anticipate working in or near wetlands, Federal, State, and Local governments may all have specific permit requirements. At the Federal level, the Army Corps of Engineers regulates wetlands under the Clean Water Act and Coastal Zone Management Act. Aspects of this authority have been delegated to Washington's Department of Ecology. Washington State agencies regulate wetlands under the Hydraulic Code, State Water Pollution Control Act, Shoreline Management Act, and the Forest Practices Act. Local governments such as the County or City, regulate wetlands under the Growth Management Act and the Shoreline Management Act.

You may be interested in receiving a copy of Ecology publications, Wetland Regulations Guidebook and How Ecology Regulates Wetlands. To obtain copies of these helpful documents, contact: Washington Department of Ecology, Publications Office, P. O. Box 47600, Olympia, Washington 98504, phone number (360)407-7472 or view a list of helpful publications on Ecology's wetlands website.

• Wetland Mitigation Bank Certification: Establishment and operation of a wetland mitigation bank. A wetland mitigation bank is a site where wetlands are restored, created, enhanced, or preserved.
• Wetlands: Working in or near wetlands, areas that are transitional between open water and uplands or that may be periodically inundated or saturated.