Wetlands

Locations such as swamps, marshes, bogs, etc.

Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.

How are wetlands regulated?

Army Corps of Engineers (Federal)

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act requires that anyone interested in depositing dredged or fill material into “waters of the United States, including wetlands,” must receive authorization for such activities. The Army Corps of Engineers has been assigned responsibility for administering the Section 404 permitting process.

The Army Corps of Engineers will help you on wetland projects. Click here or on the logo to visit their website.

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

The PA DEP receives jurisdiction over wetlands through multiple state statutes:

• Dam Safety and Encroachments Act, Act 325 of 1978
• Floodplain Management Act, Act 166 of 1978
• Chapter 105 Dam Safety and Waterways Management
• Chapter 106 Floodplain Management

The Pennsylvania DEP will help you on your wetland projects. Click here or on the logo to visit their website.

Activities in wetlands for which permits may be required include, but are not limited to:

• Placement of fill material
• Ditching activities when the excavated material is sidecast
• Levee and dike construction
• Mechanized land clearing
• Land leveling
• Most road construction
• Dam construction