CRS-104 



STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS 



State programs vary widely, and all are different from the Federal pro- 

 gram. 147/ Important variations are found in definitions of wetlands, activi- 

 ties subject to regulations, and geographic extent of coverage. 



State and local programs most commonly define wetlands in coastal areas 

 using vegetation and high water lines. Inland wetlands are more difficult 

 to define; they can vary much more widely in vegetative, hydrologic, and soil 

 characteristics over a small area. They can be defined by flooding patterns, 

 vegetation, or (only in Connecticut) soil types. As a result, not only may 

 State programs be inconsistent in the areas covered, but the State programs 

 often do not coincide with the Federal one. Where the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 

 Service national inventory defines wetlands under a different definition from 

 the State's definition, boundaries of designated areas do not coincide. With 

 different definitions and boundaries, Federal permit program does apply at 

 the same sites as do State or local programs. 



Most State wetland programs have geographic limits. Most coastal wet- 

 land programs are tied to the State's coastal zone management program, and 

 wetlands covered under the program are located within coastal zone boundaries. 

 The Federal Coastal Zone Management program has only general guidelines on 

 defining a State coastal zone, so it varies in width inland from the shoreline, 

 from several hundred feet to several miles or more in different States. Most 

 State inland wetland programs only apply to wetlands larger than a minimum 

 size. For example, the New Hampshire act applies to lakes or ponds larger 

 than 10 acres, the New York act applies to areas greater than 12.4 acres, 



147/ Local programs are even more diverse than State programs in their 

 procedures and requirements, and in the definition of protected wetland areas. 



