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 Ohio? Ohio enacted legislation to require the issuance of permits for impacts to isolated wetlands. The Director of Environmental Protection issues a general state isolated wetland permit to cover regulated activities. The issuance of a permit is the equivalent of obtaining a ?401 Water Quality Certification under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

• Mitigation Measures. In general, the Act gives priority to the establishment of mitigation banks. Mitigation measures under a level one review can be conducted on site or at a mitigation bank within the same US Army Corps of Engineers District as the location of the proposed fill. The Act also orders that mitigation in any wetland category be in accordance with the mitigation ratios it stipulates.

Regulatory Definitions

• Wetlands. Isolated wetlands are defined as a wetland that is not subject to regulation under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. Wetlands are areas inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration that are sufficient to support, and under normal conditions do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

• Wetland Categories. Wetlands are divided into three categories according to their relative ecological value. Areas designated within each category are subject to varying levels of regulatory review.

• Regulated Wetland Activities. The Act proposes that persons who wish to fill an isolated wetland obtain a permit. The discharge of dredged material into wetlands is also regulated.

• Exempt Wetland Activities. The Act does not apply to wetlands created by previous coal mining activities where re-mining is proposed.

• Wetlands Regulations

• U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Wetlands Contacts.
• Description of Ohio's wetlands program prepared by the ELI (Environmental Law Institute).
• Association of State Wetlands Managers' links to Ohio 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.

• Association of State Wetland Managers. The Association of State 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.