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WORKSHOP DRAFT FRESHWATER WETLANDS REGULATIONS 250-RICR-150-15-2 NOVEMBER 6, 2020 PREPARED BY THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL FOR VIRTUAL PUBLIC WORKSHOP NOVEMBER 23, 2020 @ 10:00 AM TO 12:00 PM NOON 250-RICR-150-15-2 TITLE 250 – DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CHAPTER 150 – WATER RESOURCES SUBCHAPTER 15 – WETLANDS PART 2 – Rules and Regulations Governing the Administration and Enforcement of the Freshwater Wetlands Act Table of Contents 2.1 Authority and Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 1 2.2 Administrative Findings ..................................................................................................................... 1 2.3 Incorporated Materials ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.4 Definitions .......................................................................................................................................... 4 2.5 Applicability and Regulated Activities ............................................................................................. 16 2.5.1 General Applicability to Freshwater Wetlands ............................................................................ 16 2.5.2 Jurisdictional Area ....................................................................................................................... 17 2.5.3 Freshwater Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Coast ....................................................................... 17 2.5.4 Projects that Lie on or Cross the Jurisdictional Boundary .......................................................... 18 2.5.5 Prohibitions .................................................................................................................................. 19 2.5.6 Regulatory Applicability ............................................................................................................... 20 2.5.7 Applicability to Farming and Ranching Activities ........................................................................ 20 2.5.8 Existing Conditions ...................................................................................................................... 21 2.6 Exempt Activities ............................................................................................................................. 21 2.6.1 General Conditions for Exempt Activities .................................................................................... 21 2.6.2 Limited Cutting of Vegetation ...................................................................................................... 23 2.6.3 Limited Maintenance and Repair Activities ................................................................................. 26 2.6.4 Demolition of Buildings or Accessory Structures ........................................................................ 29 2.6.5 Single-Family Residences and Accessory Structures ................................................................ 30 2.6.6 Nonresidential Buildings or Multifamily Residences and Accessory Structures ......................... 31 2.6.7 Emergency Environmental Protection ......................................................................................... 31 2.6.8 Site Remediation ......................................................................................................................... 32 2.6.9 Utility Emergencies ..................................................................................................................... 32 2.6.10 New Utility Lines ...................................................................................................................... 33 2.6.11 Agricultural Practices by any Property Owner other than a Farmer ....................................... 33 2.6.12 Normal Farming and Ranching Activities ................................................................................ 34 2.6.13 Conservation Activities ............................................................................................................ 34 2.6.14 Monitoring and Research Activities ......................................................................................... 35 2.6.15 Temporary Educational, Recreational and Cultural Structures ............................................... 35 2.6.16 Moorings and Anchorage for Single Boats ............................................................................. 36 2.6.17 Fire Fighting ............................................................................................................................ 36 2.6.18 Restoration Planting Projects .................................................................................................. 36 2.6.19 High Hazard and Significant Hazard Dams ............................................................................ 37 2.6.20 Low Hazard Dams ................................................................................................................... 37 2.6.21 Crossing or Relocating an Area Subject to Storm Flowage .................................................... 37 2.6.22 Restoration of Freshwater Wetlands Resulting from Unauthorized Alterations ...................... 38 2.6.23 Control of Invasive Plants ....................................................................................................... 38 2.6.24 Pedestrian Trails ..................................................................................................................... 39 2.7 Standards Applicable to Regulated Projects and Activities and Variance Procedures .................. 39 2.7.1 Freshwater Wetlands and Buffer Protection Standards .............................................................. 40 2.7.2 Review Criteria ............................................................................................................................ 43 2.7.3 Variances from Standards Applicable to Regulated Projects and Activities ............................... 46 2.8 Application Types and General Application Requirements ............................................................. 50 2.8.1 Application Types ........................................................................................................................ 50 2.8.2 Application Forms and Their Submission ................................................................................... 52 2.8.3 Signatures ................................................................................................................................... 52 2.8.4 Site Plan Requirements .............................................................................................................. 53 2.8.5 Freshwater Wetland Edge Delineation and Related Requirements ........................................... 56 2.8.6 Additional Site Work .................................................................................................................... 57 2.8.7 Requirements Regarding Use of Professionals .......................................................................... 58 2.8.8 General Fee Requirements ......................................................................................................... 59 2.8.9 Fee Schedule .............................................................................................................................. 60 2.8.10 Application Coordination ......................................................................................................... 64 2.8.11 Coordination with Municipalities .............................................................................................. 64 2.8.12 Suspension of Application Process ......................................................................................... 65 2.8.13 Recording of Permits ............................................................................................................... 65 2.9 Request to Determine the Presence of Jurisdictional Area, Request to Verify Freshwater Wetland Edges, or Request for Regulatory Applicability........................................................................................... 66 2.9.1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 66 2.9.2 Request to Determine the Presence of Jurisdictional Area ........................................................ 66 2.9.3 Request to Verify Freshwater Wetland Edges ............................................................................ 67 2.9.4 Request for Regulatory Applicability ........................................................................................... 69 2.10 General Permits .............................................................................................................................. 69 2.11 Application for a Freshwater Wetlands Permit ................................................................................ 71 2.11.1 Purpose and Outcomes .......................................................................................................... 71 2.11.2 Application Submittal Requirements ....................................................................................... 72 2.11.3 Review by the Department .....................................................................................................