Wetlands FAQ

Wetlands & Watercourses – FAQ

Q: What are watercourses?
Watercourses include rivers, streams, brooks, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs, and other natural or artificial water bodies, whether seasonal, intermittent, public, or private.

Q: What are wetlands?
Wetlands are lands with soils classified as poorly drained, very poorly drained, alluvial, or floodplain by the National Cooperative Soils Survey. This includes filled, graded, or excavated sites and areas that may not be visibly wet year-round.

Q: Why are wetlands important?
They:

• Protect water quality and recharge aquifers
  
• Reduce flooding and drought impacts
  
• Anchor and stabilize shorelines
  
• Trap sediments and retain nutrients
• Provide habitats and nursery grounds for fish and wildlife
• Produce oxygen and process air pollutants
• Support recreation (active and passive)
  
  

Q: Who regulates wetlands and watercourses?

• State standards: Set by the State of Connecticut
• Local enforcement: Inland Wetlands Commission (IWC)
• Additional agencies: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Connecticut DEEP

Q: How can I find out if there are wetlands on my property?

• Wetlands are determined by soil type, not appearance.
• The Wetlands Enforcement Officer can review maps and records.
• A permit may be required for work near wetlands, even if the project is far from them.

Q: What should I do if I see a wetlands violation?
Contact the Wetlands Office and speak with the Enforcement Officer. Provide the address and details of the activity.