Construction, Land Use & Environmental Permits

Hydraulic Project Approval
The major types of activities in freshwater requiring an HPA include, but are not limited to: stream bank protection; construction or repair of bridges, piers, and docks; pile driving; channel change or realignment; conduit (pipeline) crossing; culvert installation; dredging; gravel removal; pond construction; placement of outfall structures; log, log jam, or debris removal; installation or maintenance of water diversions; and mineral prospecting. Major saltwater activities requiring an HPA include, but are not limited to: construction of bulkheads, fills, boat launches, piers, dry docks, artificial reefs, dock floats, and marinas; placement of utility lines; pile driving; and dredging. It is important to emphasize that the above are only examples of major types of activities requiring an HPA and that any construction activity or other work that uses, diverts, obstructs, or changes the natural flow or bed of state waters requires an HPA.

Aquatic Plant Removal
Aquatic noxious weeds are introduced plants that now threaten our native vegetation, fish, wildlife and their habitat. In recognition of the importance of controlling aquatic noxious weeds, the Aquatic Plants and Fish Pamphlet was created by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to:

• expedite the Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA) process for projects designed to control early infestations of aquatic noxious weeds,
• provide guidance in selecting control methods for early and more advanced infestations of aquatic noxious weeds, and
• expedite the HPA process for applicants who want to control aquatic beneficial plants using small scale projects only (e.g., around docks and in swimming areas).