State Streamlines Wetland-Waterway Permit Process

(Salem) - The Department of State Lands (DSL) began a two-year pilot program January 3rd to streamline Oregon's removal-fill permit process for projects in wetlands and waterways.

The Statewide Programmatic General Permit (SPGP) is a federal permit issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and administered by DSL. The SPGP creates a "one-stop shop" to make the application process easier, while maintaining environmental standards.

Starting January 11th in Salem, DSL staff will conduct SPGP training workshops throughout the state. The schedule and other information is available online at www.oregonstatelands.us - click on SPGP.

"With the Land Board's support, and a lot of hard work on behalf of many agencies and interested parties, DSL has set in motion this new approach to reviewing and issuing removal-fill permits in Oregon," said Ann Hanus, DSL director. "This is a step in the right direction to help Oregonians better understand and work with their government."

Because the new permit process will require applicants to provide more up-front documentation, it is important that consultants and others working in wetlands and waterways attend one of the workshops, Hanus said.