Environmental Programs: Wetlands Board

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Thursday, May 17, 2012

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Website Updated By

Ron Owens

2/27/2012

    Proposed activities within the Wetlands Board's jurisdiction (tidal wetlands) require a public hearing and Board approval prior to commencement of the project. The permit application requires project drawings to be submitted as part of the application. It is important to include all requested information on these drawings, as they will become part of the wetland permit and will be a measure of project compliance. Once a completed application, drawings and permit fees have been received by the Gloucester County Wetlands Board staff, a site visit will be made and your project will be scheduled for public hearing. The public hearing provides an opportunity for public review and comment. During the hearing, the Board may make modifications to a request, or may require that certain conditions apply. Common examples of activities that require authorization include the construction of bulkheads, riprap (stone) revetments, jetties and groins, piers, marinas, and boat ramps.

    In Gloucester County, activities in or adjacent to a tidal water body or tidal wetlands will require a permit and/or review from on one more of the following agencies:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Gloucester County Wetlands Board
Gloucester County - Building and Zoning

    Fortunately, one application is used to apply to all of these eight agencies (except the County's Building and Zoning permit). This application is called the Joint Permit Application, or JPA, CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION. Once completed, the JPA should be mailed to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) in Newport News, Virginia. VMRC will distribute your application to all the appropriate agencies for review.

    Wetland permit fees for non-commercial/residential projects are $200. Permit fees for commercial projects are $300. This amount includes the cost of advertising the proposed project in the public notice section of the local newspaper, as required by law. Gloucester wetland permits are valid for 1 year from the date of Board approval. Permit expiration dates may be extended by the Board upon written request and approval at public hearing.

    Please note that authorization from the U.S. army Corps of Engineers, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, the Gloucester Wetlands Board, and the Gloucester Building and Zoning office must all be obtained prior to conducting work within wetlands. It is the landowner's responsibility to obtain all necessary permits.

    Non-tidal wetland impacts in Gloucester County are regulated by the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, Norfolk District (757-441-7389). If you plan to develop a large project, such as a subdivision or commercial site, a wetlands delineation should be performed by a professional wetland consultant and confirmed by the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers and the Department of Environmental Quality. All required wetlands permits must be obtained prior to final site plan approval.

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