For farmers and people trying to develop projects on agricultural land, complying with wetland regulations can be frustrating. Recent changes make it even more important to understand current regulations and the roles of government agencies that implement them. These changes are embedded in the recently adopted Wetland Identification Procedures for Washington. Regulations require the use of one of two wetland delineation manuals, depending on the specific situation. Project applicants should be aware of the differences.
Agencies have new roles in determining wetlands and drawing boundaries.
Some wetland determinations on agricultural lands made by the NRCS prior to the regulatory changes may no longer be acceptable to the agencies. Using existing published information, such as maps and aerial photographs, is one way to reduce the cost of wetland work but may not be acceptable in all cases. New agency roles Recent developments in wetland regulations have addressed roles for federal and state agencies with wetland regulation and management responsibilities. Provide more certainty for farmers about what land management practices are allowed on the different kinds of wetlands on agricultural lands. Agricultural lands as originally defined in the 1994 MOA included lands where natural vegetation had been removed to produce food and fiber.