Wetland mitigation compliance

We strive to achieve voluntary compliance first

We work collaboratively with permittees to achieve voluntary compliance first. Non-compliance, however, may call for a compliance or enforcement action by the agencies that could result in additional compensatory mitigation requirements, judicial actions, or civil penalties.

Our staff also investigate reports of unpermitted activities in wetlands, streams, or other state waters, and initiate enforcement actions if alleged violations of law or regulation are found.

Agency responsibilities relative to mitigation compliance typically are to:

• Communicate and coordinate with permittees or their agents.
• Review status, project as-built, and monitoring reports.
• Inspect mitigation sites.
• Determine whether mitigation projects have met their performance standards and mitigation-specific permit conditions.

Examples of non-compliance related to compensatory mitigation include:

• Failure to implement the required mitigation plan.
• Failure to submit required as-built, status, and monitoring reports (see guidance).
• Failure to provide the required amount and type of required compensatory mitigation.
• Failure to meet the requirements of project-specific permit conditions.