History of Wetland Regulations

1849 - Swamp Land Act (Amended in 1850,1860).

1890 - Rivers and Harbors Act (Amended in 1899).

1960 - Supreme Court broadly construes RHA to include industrial waste.

1967 - Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act.

1968 - MOU between DOI and ACOE.

1970 - Supreme Court upheld denial of RHA permit for ecological reasons.

1970 - Executive Order 11574.

1972 - Federal Water Pollution Control Act.

1975 - Court Cases expand CWA into wetlands.

1975 - ACOE Regulations in Phase.

I } 1975 - Tidal and Waters used for commercial navigation.

II} 1976 - Tributaries to Phase I and lakes > 5 acres.

III} 1977 - All waters of U.S.

1977 - CWA Amended.

1977 - Executive Order 11990.

1977 - ACOE Amends Regulations.

1979 - U.S. Attorney General - EPA Authority of Jurisdictional Issues.

1980 - EPA -404 - (b)(1) Guidelines.

1981 - Executive Order 12291

1983 - ACOE Proposed Reforms.

1983 - EPA Resists.

1984 Court Case - ACOE Concedes.

1986 - ACOE Amends Regulations.

1989 - MOU Between ACOE and EPA - jurisdiction.

1990 - MOU Between ACOE and EPA - mitigation.

1992 - Court Cases - Isolated Wetlands.

1993 - Court Case - CWA regulates excavation.

1995 - Amendment to Nationwide Permits

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SECTION 404 CWA

POLLUTANT DEFINITION INCLUDES - DREDGE SPOILS

REGULATED ACTIVITIES

· DISCHARGE OF DREDGED OR FILL MATERIAL

· ALL LANDSCAPING USING MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT

· DRAINING THAT ALTERS/DESTROYS WETLAND

· DREDGING OF WETLANDS WHICH INCLUDES REDEPOSIT OF MATERIALS

· PILINGS - CHANGE CHARACTER

EXEMPTED ACTIVITIES

· NORMAL FARMING, SILVICULTURE, RANCHING

· EMERGENCY REPAIRS

· CONSTRUCTION OF FARM PONDS, IRRIGATION DITCHES, FARM & FOREST ROADS

· MAINTENANCE OF DRAINAGE DITCHES

· PRIOR CONVERTED CROPLAND

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SECTION 404 PERMITS

GENERAL PERMITS

GRANTED FOR ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE ONLY MINIMAL INDIVIDUAL OR CUMULATIVE IMPACTS

· Eliminates individual review

· Little delay or paperwork

· No permit needed - pre-authorized activities

INDIVIDUAL PERMITS

FOR ACTIVITIES WHICH MAY HAVE MORE THAN MINIMAL IMPACTS

Permit Decision Based On:

· Probable effects of proposed action

· Compliance with 404(b)(1) Guidelines

· Consideration of view of USFWS/State Resource Agencies

Applicant Provides to ACOE:

· Alternative Analysis

· Data for Factual Determination

-water quality

-contaminants

-T&E species

-water supply

-aquatic ecosystem

-cultural resources

· Mitigation

-avoidance

-minimization

-compensation

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404(b)(1) GUIDELINES

Alternatives

Significant Degradation of Water Quality

Violation of Other Laws

Minimize Potential Impacts

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Section 404 Permit Process

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OREGON FILL/REMOVAL LAW

REGULATED ACTIVITIES

· ALL REMOVAL AND FILL ACTIVITIES OVER 50 CUBIC YARDS

· SALMONID HABITAT - NO MINIMUM

EXEMPTED ACTIVITIES

· NORMAL FARMING AND RANCHING

· CONVERTED WETLANDS

· NORMAL FORESTRY PRACTICES

· MAINTENANCE

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WETLAND RELATED STATEWIDE PLANNING GOALS

GOAL 5

Preserve wetlands in original character unless there is a conflict

Environmental, Social, Economic & Energy (ESEE) Analysis

Local Wetland Inventory

-location

-quality

-quantity

GOAL 16

Classify estuary into management units

-Natural Units

-Conservation Units

-Development Units

GOAL 17

Protect major marshes and significant habitats

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COORDINATION OF STATEWIDE GOALS AND FILL/REMOVAL LAW

LOCAL WETLAND CONSERVATION PLAN

· Detailed Inventory

· Assess Wetland Functions/Values

· Designate - Protection/Conservation/Development

· Mitigation Analysis

· Policies & Implementing Measures

DSL APPROVAL

· Public Need for Proposed Use

· Practical Alternatives Not Available

· Mitigation Provided

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History of Wetland Regulations

SECTION 404 CWA

SECTION 404 PERMITS

404(b)(1) GUIDELINES

Alternatives Significant Degradation of Water Quality Violation of Other Laws Minimize Potential Impacts

Section 404 Permit Process

COORDINATION OF STATEWIDE GOALS AND FILL/REMOVAL LAW

Alternatives

Significant Degradation of Water Quality

Violation of Other Laws

Minimize Potential Impacts