Typical wetlands are swamps, marshes, or bogs. An area can become a wetland if water remains long enough to support wetland vegetation. The DES Wetlands Bureau also regulates seasonal and perennial streams, rivers and their banks, tidal buffer zones and sand dunes. Prime wetlands are larger high value wetlands. Twenty municipalities have designated prime wetlands.
Special restrictions apply to prime wetlands.
Work in wetlands, surface waters, or their banks requires a permit. Wetland permits are also required for work on bridges, culverts and ditches in water bodies such as streams, ponds, and lakes or their banks. A permit is required whether work is done when a seasonal stream is wet or dry or if a shoreline is full or drawn down. Applications for Permits DES has two application types. The Minimum Impact Expedited application is for repair or replacement of structures in wetlands or surface waters.