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 2.1 Authority and Purpose ....................................................................................................................... 5 2.2 Administrative Findings ..................................................................................................................... 5 2.3 Incorporated Materials ...................................................................................................................... 8 2.4 Definitions .......................................................................................................................................... 8 2.5 Applicability and Regulated Activities ............................................................................................. 20 2.5.1 General Applicability to Freshwater Wetlands ............................................................................ 20 2.5.2 Jurisdictional Area ....................................................................................................................... 21 2.5.3 Freshwater Wetlands in the Vicinity of the Coast ....................................................................... 21 2.5.4 Projects that Lie on or Cross the Jurisdictional Boundary .......................................................... 22 2.5.5 Prohibitions .................................................................................................................................. 23 2.5.6 Regulatory Applicability ............................................................................................................... 24 2.5.7 Applicability to Farming and Ranching Activities ........................................................................ 24 2.5.8 Existing Conditions ...................................................................................................................... 25 2.6 Exempt Activities ............................................................................................................................. 25 2.6.1 General Conditions for Exempt Activities .................................................................................... 25 2.6.2 Limited Cutting of Vegetation ...................................................................................................... 27 2.6.3 Limited Maintenance and Repair Activities ................................................................................. 30 2.6.4 Demolition of Buildings or Accessory Structures ........................................................................ 33 2.6.5 Single-Family Residences and Accessory Structures ................................................................ 34 2.6.6 Non-Residential Buildings or Multifamily Residences and Accessory Structures ...................... 35 2.6.7 Emergency Environmental Protection ......................................................................................... 35 2.6.8 Site Remediation ......................................................................................................................... 36 2.6.9 Utility Emergencies ..................................................................................................................... 36 2.6.10 New Utility Lines ...................................................................................................................... 37 2.6.11 Agricultural Practices By Any Property Owner Other Than a Farmer ..................................... 37 2.6.12 Normal Farming and Ranching Activities ................................................................................ 38 2.6.13 Conservation Activities ............................................................................................................ 38 2.6.14 Monitoring and Research Activities ......................................................................................... 39 2.6.15 Temporary Educational, Recreational and Cultural Structures ............................................... 39 2.6.16 Moorings and Anchorage for Single Boats ............................................................................. 40 2.6.17 Fire Fighting ............................................................................................................................ 40 2.6.18 Restoration Planting Projects .................................................................................................. 40 2.6.19 High Hazard and Significant Hazard Dams ............................................................................ 41 2.6.20 Low Hazard Dams ................................................................................................................... 41 2.6.21 Crossing or Relocating an Area Subject to Storm Flowage .................................................... 41 2.6.22 Restoration of Freshwater Wetlands Resulting from Unauthorized Alterations ...................... 42 2.6.23 Control of Invasive Plants ....................................................................................................... 42 2.6.24 Pedestrian Trails ..................................................................................................................... 43 2.7 Standards Applicable to Regulated Projects and Activities and Variance Procedures .................. 44 2.7.1 Freshwater Wetlands and Buffer Protection Standards .............................................................. 44 2.7.2 Review Criteria ............................................................................................................................ 48 2.7.3 Variances from Standards Applicable to Regulated Projects and Activities ............................... 50 2.8 Application Types and General Application Requirements ............................................................. 54 2.8.1 Application Types ........................................................................................................................ 54 2.8.2 Application Forms and Their Submission ................................................................................... 56 2.8.3 Signatures ................................................................................................................................... 56 2.8.4 Site Plan Requirements .............................................................................................................. 58 2.8.5 Freshwater Wetland Edge Delineation and Related Requirements ........................................... 60 2.8.6 Additional Site Work .................................................................................................................... 62 2.8.7 Requirements Regarding Use of Professionals .......................................................................... 62 2.8.8 General Fee Requirements ......................................................................................................... 64 2.8.9 Fee Schedule .............................................................................................................................. 64 2.8.10 Application Coordination ......................................................................................................... 69 2.8.11 Coordination with Municipalities .............................................................................................. 69 2.8.12 Suspension of Application Process ......................................................................................... 70 2.8.13 Recording of Permits ............................................................................................................... 70 2.9 Request to Determine the Presence of Jurisdictional Area, Request to Verify Freshwater Wetland Edges, or Request for Regulatory Applicability........................................................................................... 71 2.9.1 Purpose ....................................................................................................................................... 71 2.9.2 Request to Determine the Presence of Jurisdictional Area ........................................................ 72 2.9.3 Request to Verify Freshwater Wetland Edges ............................................................................ 74 2.9.4 Request for Regulatory Applicability ........................................................................................... 74 2.10 General Permits .............................................................................................................................. 74 2.11 Application for a Freshwater Wetlands Permit ................................................................................ 76 2.11.1 Purpose and Outcomes .......................................................................................................... 76 2.11.2 Application Submittal Requirements ....................................................................................... 77 2.11.3 Review by the Department ...................................................................................................... 79 2.11.4 Permit Requirements, Conditions and Renewals ................................................................... 81 2.11.5 Department's Decision – Notification ...................................................................................... 82 2.11.6 Application