What is Ecology’s role in developing and providing wetlands guidance to local governments?
Local governments and the state Department of Commerce implement the GMA. Ecology, however, has expertise in managing and protecting wetlands. We knew most local governments didn’t have the resources to develop a science-based standard for protecting wetlands. To help local governments meet GMA requirements without reinventing the wheel, Ecology got a federal grant in 2002 and spent three years crafting wetlands guidance. We scanned over 15,000 scientific articles and summarized another 1,000 related to protecting and managing wetlands. Ecology continues to provide this guidance and technical assistance, as applicable wetland regulations are updated all across the state.
