Wetlands State Resource Locator

Note: Most states have enacted laws and regulations to protect wetlands. In many cases, these rules are established to define the state's role in the "404 permit/401 certification process." This process involves the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and your state environmental agency. To learn more about the wetlands permitting process go to the CICA Wetlands Regulations/Permit page.

Primary State Wetlands Web Page. This web page should explain the state wetlands program and provide links to various wetlands resources.

Construction Permit Process - State Rules

• How Are Wetlands Activities Regulated by Arkansas? Section 401 Water Quality Certifications are required prior to the issuance of federal permits and licenses to ensure that proposed projects will not violate the State's water quality standards. The decision to issue the Section 401 water quality certification rests with the Director of ADEQ and is based on compliance with Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission Regulation 2 (PDF File 4.8mb), Regulation Establishing Water Quality Standards for Surface Waters of the State of Arkansas. The majority of the Section 401 water quality certification requests are for Section 404 permits issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In Arkansas there are 3 Corps Districts that share jurisdiction in the State: the Little Rock District, the Memphis District and the Vicksburg District.

• Mitigation Measures. CT 562- Arkansas Wetlands Mitigation Bank Act. An Act to create an Arkansas Wetlands Mitigation Bank; allow for purchase, creation, restoration, or enhancement of wetlands by the state of Arkansas; allow for sale of credits on wetlands for meeting federal permit requirements; use the Arkansas Water Development Fund for financial aspects of the mitigation bank; and other purposes.

Regulatory Definitions

• Wetlands. Wetlands are regulated as surface waters or water contained on the exterior or upper portion of the earth's surface as opposed to groundwater.

• Wetland Categories.

• Regulated Wetland Activities. Permits are issued to regulate pollution, the discharge of sewage, industrial waste, or other waste into state waters; and the installation, modification, or operation of disposal systems. The state also identifies permit actions as any activity under a specific dredge or fill permit requested or issued under §404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act or any other action requiring mitigation.

• Exempt Wetland Activities.

• Wetlands Regulations

• Environmental Agency Contacts.
• US EPA - Wetlands Protection and Restoration.
• Description of Arkansas's wetlands program prepared by the ELI (Environmental Law Institute).
• National Association of Wetlands Managers' links to Arkansas programs and points of contacts.

Organizations/Non-Government Programs

• Water Environment Federation. The WEF Web site provides access to a wetlands related technical discussion area, as well as publications and other information on wetlands.

• Wetlands Regulation Center. The Wetlands Regulation Center Web site contains information on laws, policies and regulations concerning activities regulated under Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act.

• The National Association of Wetland Managers. The National Association of Wetland Managers web site provides information on wetlands news and events, including new regulations/legislation, upcoming conferences and events, publications, and more.

• Society of Wetland Scientists. The Society of Wetland Scientists Web site provides access to on-line scientific wetlands journals and a wetlands discussion forum, as well as information on upcoming wetlands conferences and events.