State wetland regulations
We regulate wetlands in Washington state regardless of federal jurisdiction. Wetlands are protected and managed through multiple state laws, including the state Water Pollution Control Act and the Shoreline Management Act. The State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) process identifies potential wetland-related concerns early in the environmental review and permitting process. Additionally, we have authority to review and approve projects under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act.
We also provide technical assistance to local governments under the Growth Management Act. This includes assistance in developing comprehensive plan policies and development regulations and in implementing local wetland regulations.
Will your project have potential impacts to wetlands?
Applicants and consultants should coordinate with our regional wetland staff on projects that have potential impacts to wetlands. When a proposed project has potential impacts to wetlands, applicants should work with the appropriate city or county and U.S Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to determine if the wetlands are regulated under local or federal laws. Based on the Corps' determination, activities in wetlands in Washington may be authorized by Ecology through one of the following processes:
- Section 401 Water Quality certifications: For federally regulated wetlands, applicants must submit a request for a Section 401 Water Quality certification under the federal Clean Water Act. Section 401 of the federal law provides the state authority to approve, approve with conditions, or deny proposed projects directly affecting waters of the United States, including wetlands, to ensure they meet state water quality standards. When an individual Section 401 Water Quality certification is needed, any actions necessary to protect water quality are included as conditions in the certification and incorporated into the federal permit.
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State Administrative Orders (Non-Federally Regulated Wetlands): For non-federally regulated wetlands, applicants must submit a request for an administrative order to comply with the state Water Pollution Control Act (Chapter 90.48 RCW). We issue administrative orders under this act for impacts to wetlands that aren't jurisdictional under the federal regulations (e.g., non-federally regulated wetlands, or NFRs). These wetlands remain protected under state and local laws and rules.
See the "Applicant resources" tab below for information on how to request regulatory approval.
For projects that propose to impact wetlands, applicants must seek regulatory approval. Applicants seeking a federal permit or a state authorization for a non-federally regulated wetland should submit requests for regulatory approval to our Federal Permit Unit by email to ecyrefedpermits@ecy.wa.gov.
- For non-federally regulated wetland requests, submit a Joint Aquatic Resource Permits Application (JARPA) along with any additional information applicable to the project (e.g., mitigation plan, restoration plans, etc.).
- For 401 Water Quality certification requests, please refer to the 401 Water Quality certification webpage for specific steps applicants need to folllow.
Resources and links
- Wetland mitigation resources: Project proponents proposing to alter aquatic resources must go through mitigation sequencing to avoid and minimize impacts before determining whether compensatory mitigation is appropriate and a permit is required. Compensatory mitigation involves restoring (re-establishing, rehabilitating), creating (establishing), preserving, or enhancing aquatic resources to replace those lost or degraded through permitted activities.
- Environmental Permitting Assistance: The Washington State Governor's Office of Regulatory Innovation and Assistance (ORIA) helps citizens, businesses, and project applicants understand and navigate Washington’s environmental permitting processes.
- Environmental & governmental agencies
- Hire a qualified wetland professional: We offer recommendations to help you locate and select a professional who is qualified to assist with wetland issues, including completing permit application forms and studies needed to meet wetland regulations.
State laws that protect wetlands are broader than current federal regulations. The state can establish protocols for managing wetlands falling outside federal jurisdiction. For example, impacts to wetlands outside federal jurisdiction are authorized through administrative orders under the state Water Pollution Control Act.
In general, the state emphasizes a local approach to wetland protection and regulation. The state Growth Management Act (GMA) authorizes and requires cities and counties to regulate wetlands within their jurisdictions. This is typically accomplished by adopting a Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO). We play an advisory role by providing comments during CAO updates and offering technical assistance.
- Local wetland regulations and Growth Management Act technical assistance — We provide technical assistance to local governments under GMA, including assistance in developing comprehensive plan policies and development regulations and implementing local wetland regulations.
- Wetland Guidance for Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) Updates: Western and Eastern Washington — Our CAO guidance describes the important topics to be addressed in the wetlands section. It includes recommendations for wetland protection based on best available science.
- Department of Commerce's Growth Management Services — This service assists and guides local governments, state agencies, and others to manage growth and development in a manner that is consistent with the GMA.
Related links
Contact information
Contact our wetland staff (organized by subject and area)
OR
Federal permit coordinator
ecyrefedpermits@ecy.wa.gov
360-407-6076