A majority of the the land that was once wetland in this country has now been filled, farmed, or built upon. As wetlands become more scarce, their significance becomes more apparent. Reduce flood damage by retaining storm water. Provide food and habitat for fish and wildlife. Provide open space.
Permit issuance is subject to a public review process.
Mitigation of adverse impacts on wetlands either on or off the site is required. Site development may occur only after an acceptable wetlands mitigation plan has been approved. The City of Corvallis currently informs all potential developers of sites that appear to have hydric soils that they should contact DSL to get a definitive determination of wetland status. For those projects which do not go through a public hearing process, but involve initial site development, the developer is required to provide evidence that the site is not a wetland prior to issuance of development permits. A developer faces the potential of having to restore a wetland site back to its previous undisturbed state if development occurs without appropriate permits and mitigation.