CITIZEN'S GUIDE TO PROTECTING WETLANDS
What is a wetland?
Wetlands are areas of land that are either permanently or seasonally saturated with water. There are three characteristics of wetlands: water, hydric (“water-loving”) plants, and hydric soils.
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands act like kidneys because of their ability to filter contaminants and sediments from
water. They also provide an important habitat for many species of waterfowl and are home to rare and endangered plants.
What can you do to help protect wetlands?
With a loss of over 90% of Ohio’s wetlands, it is critical that citizens do their part to protect the State’s few remaining wetland resources. Citizens can help protect wetlands by planting native plant species; minimize using fertilizers on lawns; and reporting illegal wetland fills.
What is wetland “fill”?
Fill material is any material that is used to fill a wetland for the purpose of changing the elevation of the wetland, creating impoundments, or creating upland areas. Several common examples of fill material include rock, sand, topsoil, concrete, and culverts.
Wetlands are areas of land that are either permanently or seasonally saturated with water. There are three characteristics of wetlands: water, hydric (“water-loving”) plants, and hydric soils.
Why are wetlands important?
Wetlands act like kidneys because of their ability to filter contaminants and sediments from
water. They also provide an important habitat for many species of waterfowl and are home to rare and endangered plants.
What can you do to help protect wetlands?
With a loss of over 90% of Ohio’s wetlands, it is critical that citizens do their part to protect the State’s few remaining wetland resources. Citizens can help protect wetlands by planting native plant species; minimize using fertilizers on lawns; and reporting illegal wetland fills.
What is wetland “fill”?
Fill material is any material that is used to fill a wetland for the purpose of changing the elevation of the wetland, creating impoundments, or creating upland areas. Several common examples of fill material include rock, sand, topsoil, concrete, and culverts.
Is a permit required?
Not all wetlands are protected by the Clean Water Act. The US Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for federal (404) jurisdictional wetlands. The Ohio Environmental Protection agency is responsible for state (401) jurisdictional wetlands. Local laws and ordinances may also apply. These documents will get you started.
Not all wetlands are protected by the Clean Water Act. The US Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for federal (404) jurisdictional wetlands. The Ohio Environmental Protection agency is responsible for state (401) jurisdictional wetlands. Local laws and ordinances may also apply. These documents will get you started.
- Recognizing Wetlands
- How to Contact the Corps of Engineers
- A Brief Guide to the Regulatory Program
- Ohio EPA Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Isolated Wetland Permit Introduction
What should you do if you are aware of a wetland that is being illegally filled?
Without a permit, it is illegal to fill wetlands in Ohio with soil and/or water. While both are natural parts of wetlands, adding enough of either will cause them to lose their important ecological function.
If you are aware of illegal fill activities, please contact the Ohio EPA and/or the appropriate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by completing and emailing their respective reporting forms. Links to the forms are listed below:
If you are aware of illegal fill activities, please contact the Ohio EPA and/or the appropriate U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) by completing and emailing their respective reporting forms. Links to the forms are listed below:
- Ohio Environmental Protection Agency: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/401/permitting.aspx
- US Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburg District: http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/FormsandPublications.aspx
- US Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District: http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory.aspx
- US Army Corps of Engineers Buffalo District: http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/FormsandPublications.aspx
- Form to report an alleged violation:
