Freshwater Wetlands in Region 4
Freshwater Wetlands are protected under Article 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law of the State of New York. DEC requires permits for certain activities in, and within 100 feet of, the boundary of wetlands 12.4 acres or larger that are shown on freshwater wetlands regulatory maps. Smaller wetlands are regulated under federal law (Section 404 of the Clean Waters Act) by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
One of the many benefits of wetlands is valuable wildlife habitat. Therefore, Region 4 Wildlife staff are responsible for much of the Freshwater Wetlands Program. Region 4 Wildlife staff review permit applications for potential impacts to wetlands, identify and delineate wetland boundaries in the field and amend wetland maps to reflect field conditions.
To determine if an area is in or adjacent to (within 100 feet of) a freshwater wetland, first check the DEC regulatory wetland maps at the town clerk's office in the town where the property is located, or contact a regional DEC office. These maps are a scale of one inch to 2000 feet, and show only approximate locations of wetland boundaries. It is difficult in some cases to determine the actual location of the property boundaries relative to the wetland boundaries. If the property appears to be in or near a wetland on the map, the next step is to contact a regional DEC office to request a wetland determination or delineation (see link above for form). Wildlife staff will arrange to meet with the property owner at the site and either determine whether or not there is wetland on the property and point out the boundary (determination), or flag the boundary of any DEC wetland on the property (delineation). There is no charge for this service.
Prior to undertaking any project that may be within or adjacent to a wetland, contact both the DEC Region 4 Office at (518) 357-2069, and the US Army Corps of Engineers at (518) 270-0588, to determine if the wetland regulations apply.
The Wetland Determination/Delineation Form is available in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format (see link at right). If you need a paper copy of this document, please contact the DEC Region 4 Office at (518) 357-2069.
