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Wetlands State Resource Locator

Missouri

Note: Most states have enacted laws and regulations to protect wetlands. In many cases, these rules are established to define the state's role in the "404 permit/401 certification process." This process involves the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and your state environmental agency. To learn more about the wetlands permitting process go to the CICA Wetlands Regulations/Permit page.

Primary State Wetlands Web Page. This web page should explain the state wetlands program and provide links to various wetlands resources.

Construction Permit Process - State Rules

  • How Are Wetlands Activities Regulated by Missouri? Under the Missouri Clean Water Law, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its Clean Water Commission (CWC) certify any nationwide permit without condition as it applies to wetlands within the state, whenever the US Army Corps of Engineers under §404 of the Clean Water Act has determined that a nationwide permit is appropriate. The Commission does not have specific water quality standards for wetlands because it believes a wetland's water quality needs depend upon its individual characteristics.

  • Mitigation Measures.

Regulatory Definitions

  • Wetlands. Wetlands are areas inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

  • Wetland Categories. The CWC's water quality regulations separate Class W wetlands from other wetlands. Class W wetlands are waters of the state that meet the criteria in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual. Class W wetlands do not include areas that are artificially created on dry land and maintained for treatment of mine drainage, stormwater control, drainage associated with road construction, or waste. Unlike other wetlands, a site-specific Class W determination must be consistent with federal law.

  • Regulated Wetland Activities. Missouri follows the Army Corps of Engineers ?404 permitting program that prohibits the discharge or dredged and fill material into any wetland without a permit. Furthermore, no alteration of a wetland is allowed without evidence that the project is in the public interest. State permits are required for any person to build, erect, alter, replace, operate, use, or maintain any water contaminant or point source. Similar rules apply to persons seeking to construct water treatment facilities. The direct or indirect pollution, contamination, discharge of toxic material, or discharge of chemical material into any state waters is prohibited.

  • Exempt Wetland Activities. A construction or operating permit is not needed for: nonpoint source discharges; service connections to wastewater sewer systems; internal plumbing or piping of other water diversion within a plant or mine; maintenance and repair of existing sewer system; single family residences; water discharged from an emergency environmental site; water used for a drinking water well; and small scale pilot projects.

Wetland Regulatory Background Information

Other Wetland Resources

Organizations/Non-Government Programs

  • Water Environment Federation. The WEF Web site provides access to a wetlands related technical discussion area, as well as publications and other information on wetlands.

  • Wetlands Regulation Center. The Wetlands Regulation Center Web site contains information on laws, policies and regulations concerning activities regulated under Sections 401 and 404 of the Clean Water Act.

  • The National Association of Wetland Managers. The National Association of Wetland Managers web site provides information on wetlands news and events, including new regulations/legislation, upcoming conferences and events, publications, and more.

  • Society of Wetland Scientists. The Society of Wetland Scientists Web site provides access to on-line scientific wetlands journals and a wetlands discussion forum, as well as information on upcoming wetlands conferences and events.

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