The divisions of Water Quality, Land Resources and others are working together to implement the policy, which becomes effective March 1. An estimated 6,500 wetland acres have been lost since June 1998, when a federal court ruled that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could no longer require permits for wetland ditching unless dirt spoil was deposited directly into wetlands. John Dorney, supervisor of the Division of Water Quality's wetlands program, said that regulators have been taking aerial reconnaissance flights over the past several months to assess the destruction. Most of the wetlands draining has been occurring in southeastern counties, especially in Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties. This short term boom for development could really cause some serious long term environmental problems.
Wetlands are critical to protecting water quality and fish habitat.
DWQ will also employ satellite imagery to identify potential sites where illegal draining has occurred. We expect to get quite a few calls once the policy goes into effect, and we encourage folks to report possible wetlands violations. If these findings are not successfully refuted, the Division of Water Quality will initiate an enforcement action and require that the natural hydrology be restored. Prior to the June federal court decision, both DENR and the Corps of Engineers had required permitting for these activities. The court decision effectively removed regulatory review of wetlands draining.