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2000 SESSION

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SB 450 Wetlands.

Introduced by: Patricia S. Ticer | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Wetlands. Requires that those proposing to drain, dredge, excavate, ditch, permanently flood or impound, fill, or discharge any material into nontidal wetlands first obtain a Virginia Water Protection Permit from the State Water Control Board. The Board must establish both individual and general permits for such activities. Permittees must replace wetlands lost at a 2:1 acreage ratio. Normal agricultural and silvicultural activities are exempt from the permit requirement. The Board is directed generally to establish and implement policies and programs to protect and enhance the Commonwealth’s wetland resources. Regulatory programs are to be designed to achieve no net loss of existing wetland acreage and functions. Voluntary and incentive-based programs are to be developed to achieve a net resource gain in acreage and functions of wetlands. Water Protection Permits will be issued after an opportunity for public comment is provided. The bill also clarifies that wetlands are state waters under the State Water Control Law, and requires the Board to seek Section 404 Clean Water Act State Programmatic General Permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This bill was incorporated into SB 648.


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