Aquatic Resource Permits

Aquatic resources include both the physical elements of the aquatic environment, such as bedlands, tidelands, and shorelands; as well as life forms such as aquatic plants, fish, and shellfish that live within the aquatic environment.

The primary responsibility for managing the state's fish and shellfish resources lies with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, which manages all fish and shellfish resources of the state. In cooperation with Fish and Wildlife, the state's Indian tribes also manage aquatic resources that are included in a series of treaties.

The Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) primary role is one of proprietor and trustee rather than regulator. The DNR manages, for the benefit of all current and future citizens of the state, two million acres of state-owned tidelands, shorelands, and beds of navigable lakes and rivers. Unlike many other states in which abutting upland owners were granted a "riparian" right to build out over navigable waters, Washington chose to become a "nonriparian" state at statehood.

Ecology also has regulatory jurisdiction related to aquatic resources, as discussed in this section. Additionally, Ecology has review and approval authority over shoreline permits, which are discussed in more detail in the local government section.

Permits:

• Aquaculture Registration and Transfer Permit: Culturing or transferring food fish, shellfish, and certain aquatic animals.
• Aquatic Farm Registration and Permit to Transport Fin Fish: Culturing or transferring food fish, shellfish, and certain aquatic animals.
• Aquatic Use Authorization (Aquatic Lease): Most activities taking place on state-owned aquatic lands may require a lease or other form of use authorization (easement or right-of-way). Before you start your project, contact the DNR regional office near you to discuss your proposal.
• Fish Habitat Enhancement Projects: The applicant must meet the specified requirements stated on the permit application form.
• Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA): Work that uses, diverts, obstructs, or changes the natural flow or bed of any of the salt or fresh waters of state. Includes bed reconfiguration, all construction or other work waterward, under and over the ordinary high water line, including dry channels, and may include projects landward of the ordinary high water line (e.g., activities outside the ordinary high water line that will directly impact fish life and habitat, falling trees into streams or lakes, bridge maintenance, dike construction, etc.)
• Noxious Aquatic and Emergent Weed Transport Permit: Transporting noxious plants or plant parts.
• Shellfish Operation License and Certificate of Approval: Commercially harvesting and/or processing molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels, scallops).

Permit Handbook

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