This isn't chicken salad Clean Water Act Wetlands State water protection Valley fills Groundwater Scenic streams preservation Wetlands Wetlands find some protection in the Clear Water Act. A permit , issued by the Corps of Engineers, is required for any dredging or filling of navigable waters, including wetlands. Wetlands which do not flow directly into navigable waters may not be protected by federal law, however.
Many states have their own statutes which protect wetlands.
Even so, there is no specific state law in West Virginia requiring permits for activity which affects wetlands. 40 CFR sec. There is a multi-federal agency manual on point which has been the subject of debate between developers and protectors of wetlands.