The Wetlands Act

The Wetlands Act governs the use and alteration of wetlands, making a permit a precondition for regulated activity while exempting certain categories and preserving uses already in place before the act applied. The responsible authority adopts regulations and application procedures, charges application fees, and decides permit applications through a process that includes public hearings, an appeal to a board for those aggrieved by a decision and a further appeal from the board's ruling, along with a route for claims that a permit denial amounts to a taking without just compensation. Compliance is backed by cease and desist orders, injunctive relief, a right of entry, and penalties; inconsistent laws give way while other law is left intact, the act is to be construed liberally, and federal and other funds may be accepted to support its administration.

Editorial summary generated from the text of this act. It is not part of the statute — read the sections below for the operative language.