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WYOMING
W(Printable PDF File)
 
       

Original Wetland Acreage

Remaining Wetland Acreage

Acreage Lost

% Lost

2,000,000

1,250,000

750,000

-38%
 
Wyoming Wetlands: Palustrine wetlands occur throughout Wyoming and include emergent wetlands such as seasonally flooded basins or flats, fresh marshes, fresh meadows, saline marshes, and playas; forested wetlands such as swamps; scrub-shrub wetlands such as shrub swamps and bogs; unconsolidated bottom wetlands such as small stock ponds. Lacustrine wetlands are limited to the shallows of reservoirs and naturally occurring lakes. Riverine wetlands associated with high-gradient streams are concentrated in the mountainous areas, whereas wetlands associated with low-gradient streams and intermittent streams are more prevalent in basins and plains.
 
(Please click on heading below to go to that section.)

Summary

Individual Features

Regulation

Water Quality Standards

Mitigation

Monitoring and Assessment

Restoration





SUMMARY

Overall Program:  

Some measure of protection for wetlands is provided by several statutes including the water quality protection program and a recent wetland act requiring state notification for certain drainage activities and authorizing mitigation banks (effective 1996).

 

The drainage provisions became effective in 1996.

 

The legal banking provisions became effective on July 1, 1991 but the bank has not yet been implemented.

Innovative Features and New Programs/Initiatives:   

None.


State Wetland Conservation Plan 

The Game & Fish and State Recreation Commission has completed a SCORP.

No Net Loss/Net Gain Goal  

There is not a no net loss goal in statute, but is the basic premise for the wetland bank.



INDIVIDUAL FEATURES:

Regulation

 Wetland Regulatory Statutes and Administrative Rules

WS 35-11-301 to WS 35-11-313. We established in 1996, State notification program for draining wetlands over 5 acres.

 

WY Stat. ## 89-849 to 89-862. State identifies areas of critical concern; local governments must adopt regulations consistent with state guidelines for these areas or the state may adopt a land use plan for the area.

Wetland Definition and/or Delineation; Comparability With Federal Definition

Yes, a working definition has been adopted.

Evaluation Methodology 

One has been developed in a multi-agency memorandum of understanding specific to highway construction.

Regulated and Exempted Activities

The wetland statute only regulates certain types of drainage.

Special Provisions for Agriculture and Forestry

None.

Penalties and Enforcement

Violations of water quality regulations can be assessed up to $10,000/day. The penalty has not been enforced for wetlands to date.

Permit Tracking

The state doesn't issue permits. All enforcement to date is by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (404 program).

State General Permit (PGP or SPGP) for 404

None.

Assumption of Section 404 Powers

Assumption has been explored. Twice, once in 1981, again in 1991. It was rejected both times by the state legislature.

Joint Permitting

Joint 401/401 application and public notice procedures are implemented in the state.

Special Area Management Plans and Advanced Identification Plans

None.

Role of Local Governments

Local government can establish zoning and setback ordinances. Conservation districts are active in promoting education and demonstration projects.

Staffing (Regulatory Staff)

Currently, one full-time position. 



Water Quality Standards

Wetlands and Water Quality Standards

WS 35-11-301 to WS 35-11-313. State notification program for draining wetlands over 5 acres.

 
WY Stat. ## 89-849 to 89-862. State identifies areas of critical concern; local governments must adopt regulations consistent with state guidelines for these areas or the state may adopt a land use plan for the area.

Wetland Definition 

N/A

Designated Uses

N/A

Narrative and/or Numeric Criteria

N/A

Antidegradation Policy

N/A

Other

N/A

Staffing (Wetland Water Quality Staff)

N/A


Mitigation

Mitigation Policy

Mitigation is generally not required by state water quality regulation unless impacts to water quality are demonstrated. Mitigation is almost totally federally driven. However, mitigation is required in some instances for drainage pursuant to a new law.

Mitigation Banks

Yes. A wetland law specifically authorizes mitigation banks.

In Lieu Fee Program

None.

Ad Hoc Arrangements

None.

Mitigation Database

None.

Staffing (Mitigation Staff)

None.


Monitoring and Assessment

Mapping /Inventory

The National Wetland Inventory “NWI” is partially complete.

 

Preliminary work is beginning to integrate NWI maps into a state GIS system.

Wetland Classification and Assessment

None.

Overall Wetland Gain and Loss Tracking System

None.

Staffing (Monitoring and Assessment Staff.)

None.


Restoration

Program Description

N/A

Restoration Program Goals

N/A

Eligibility Criteria

N/A

Restoration Database

N/A

Staffing (Wetland Restoration Program Staff.)

N/A



Public/Private Partnerships

Acquisition Program

N/A

Public Outreach/Education

N/A

Tax Incentives

N/A

Technical Assistance

N/A

Other Nonregulatory Incentives for Private Landowners

N/A

Wetland Training and Education

N/A

Watershed Planning

N/A

Special Problems

Selenium concentrations occur in some areas. Water development, degraded riparian areas, and coal mining impact wetlands. There is pressure to develop in Teton County.

Coordination

None identified.
Contact Person(s)

Jeremy Lyon
Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
Water Quality Division
Herschler Building
122 West 25th Street
Cheyenne, WY 82002
(307) 777-7758


Contact Points 

No website/links identified.

Guidebooks, Brochures, Websites, Other Educational Materials 

None identified.



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This webpage last updated June 1, 2004.
Comments or suggestions may be directed to webmaster@aswm.org.

2 Basin Road
Windham, ME 04062
207-892-3399; Fax: 207-892-3089; aswm@aswm.org