&EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency June 2009 Enf\ • Definition of Wetlands The Clean Water Act defines "wetlands" as: "Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas." I CU » d Office of Environmental Programs Environmental Assessment & Innovation Division EPA Region 3, Philadelphia, PA EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers share wetlands enforcement authority under the Clean Water Act §404, which regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into U.S. wetlands and waterways. In 2008, Region 3 enforcement actions resulted in 961 acres of restored or compensated wetlands. Lead Enforcement Areas Delaware - all of Sussex County Pennsylvania - all of Pike, Potter, Elk, Clearfield and Somerset Counties; parts of Berks, Lehigh and Monroe Counties West Virginia - all of Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson and Morgan Counties Other Team Tasks Participate in mitigation banking initiatives. Identify jurisdictional boundaries. Provide training and assistance. Develop and conduct educational outreach. Perform functional assessments. National Wetlands Helpline 800-832-7828 http://www.epa.gov/ reg3esdl/wetlands/wetland_enforcement_team.htm ------- |