Since 1943, anyone planning certain construction projects or activities in or near state waters has been required to obtain an environmental permit commonly known as a Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA). Thousands of HPAs are issued each year for activities ranging from work on bulkheads, piers, and docks to culvert replacement and mineral prospecting.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) administers the HPA program under the state Hydraulic Code, which is specifically for the protection of fish life. WDFW Habitat Biologists process HPA applications. But more importantly, biologists help people and groups apply for an HPA and provide technical assistance to ensure projects meet state conservation standards for finfish, shellfish and the habitat that supports them.
The role of the advisory group is to provide perspectives on how WDFW administers the Hydraulic Code Rules (Chapter 220-660 WAC). This includes providing advice about changes proposed to regulations and operations of the HPA program.
At the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, we celebrate diverse individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives. All are welcome to participate in our processes regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability.
Contacts and member info
Members
Bylaws
Guidelines
Contacts
Theresa Nation
WDFW Habitat Program
Theresa.Nation@dfw.wa.gov
360-902-2562
Mission statement
The purpose of the advisory group is to provide input to WDFW HPA Program staff on ways to improve implementation of the HPA Program in order to 1) Maintain and improve consistency of HPA permits; 2) Improve the soundness of permits; 3) Increase understanding of the public about the importance of the HPA in protecting fish life, and 4) Improve HPA implementation outcomes for fish and people.
The advisory group provides input on the effectiveness of the HPA program in such areas as procedures, transparency, consistency, outcomes, compliance, and communications. Fish protections that can be improved through operational measures without changes to rule or statute are also topics for discussion by the group.
Meeting calendar
Agendas will be available approximately one week prior to the next meeting.
| Date | Location | Meeting materials |
|---|---|---|
9 - 11 a.m., Dec. 11, 2024
|
Virtual meeting. Details will be posted closer to the meeting. |
Agenda to come |
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., June 5, 2024
|
Annual in-person meeting.
Location: Port of Everett-- Blue Heron Room A |
|
2 - 4 p.m., Dec. 14, 2023
|
Virtual meeting |
|
10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Aug. 4, 2023
|
Natural Resources Building in Olympia, WA |
|
9:30 - 11:30 a.m., May 31, 2023
|
Virtual Meeting |
|
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Dec. 8, 2022
|
Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information |
|
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Sept. 1, 2022
|
Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information |
|
1 - 3:30 p.m., Dec. 16, 2021
|
Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information |
|
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Sept. 23, 2021
|
** Meeting cancelled ** | |
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., June 10, 2021
|
Individual calls with CAG members were conducted in lieu of a meeting. |
Agenda to come |
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., March 4, 2021
|
** Meeting cancelled ** | |
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Dec. 10, 2020
|
Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information
|
|
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Oct. 1, 2020
|
Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information |
|
10 a.m. - 12 p.m., May 14, 2020
|
WebEx Meeting
|
|
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Jan. 23, 2020
|
Thurston County Fairgrounds Expo Room 3034 Carpenter Road SE Lacey, WA 98503 |
|
10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nov. 21, 2019
|
** Meeting cancelled ** | |
Sept. 26, 2019
|
Wa. PUD Assn. Conf. Rm. at 212 Union Ave SE Suite 2, Olympia, WA 98501 |
|
June 13, 2019
|
Wa. PUD Assn. Conf. Rm. at 212 Union Ave SE Suite 2, Olympia, WA 98501 |
|
March 14, 2019
|
Olympia Center Rm 100: 2018 HPA/Enf recaps
|
|
Nov. 29, 2018
|
Olympia WPUD Conf Rm: Introduction to compliance issues
|
|
Sept. 20, 2018
|
Olympia, DCR Handouts: Suction dredge rule making, proposed comments, Whitehouse proposal
|
|
May 31, 2018
|
Olympia, DCR Handouts: Whitehouse proposal, Thurston response, March 2018 "Issues & Buckets"
|
|
March 22, 2018
|
Olympia 600 Cap Way N. Handouts: See minutes for transcribed wall notes
|
|
Jan. 11, 2018
|
Olympia NRB 556 Handouts: HPA 2017 overview; Climate Change slides
|
|
Nov. 14, 2017
|
Webinar Handouts: Proposed Rules; Sultan/Similkameen science
|
|
Sept. 28, 2017
|
Mill Ck Region 4 Conf Room Topics: Skype with Margen Carlson; Rulemaking overview; Sultan River (Brokes); Atlantic Salmo
|
|
June 14, 2017
|
Webinar/Conference Call Handouts: Incorporating climate science into culvert design
|
|
March 16, 2017
|
Olympia NRB DCR Handouts: Habitat News; charter; draft SOPs
|
|
Dec. 14, 2016
|
Mill Ck Region 4 Large Conf Rm Handouts: Meeting notes; charter
|
|
Sept. 8, 2016
|
10:00am - 3:00pm, WDFW Directors Conference Room 537, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, WA
|
|
April 20, 2016
|
10:00 am - 3:00 pm, WDFW Region 4 Office, Large Conference Room, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek, WA 98012
|
|
Jan. 14, 2016
|
10:00am - 3:00pm, WDFW Directors Conference Room 537, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, WA
|
|
Oct. 1, 2015
|
Olympia Capitol Bldg, Columbia Room Handouts: draft forage fish guidance; 1st Compliance & Effectiveness Monitoring rept
|
|
July 7, 2015
|
Port of Tacoma, Fabulich Center Conf Rm 104 Handouts: Drought response 2015; culvert design guidelines; Monitorin
|
|
April 7, 2015
|
Olympia OB2 Conf Rm SL-04 Handouts: HPA Program overview; forage fish science
|
Additional information
HPA Implementation Guidance Documents
- 2019 Functional Grating Guidance.pdf (PDF)
- 2019 Mitigation for New Marine Overwater Structures.pdf (PDF)
- 2019 Site Visit Guidance.pdf (PDF)
- 2017 Final Mineral Prospecting SOP.pdf (PDF)
- 2017 Freshwater Bank Protection SOP.pdf (PDF)
- 2017 Freshwater Overwater Structure SOP.pdf (PDF)
- 2017 Marine Bank Protection SOP.pdf (PDF)
- 2017 Marine Overwater Structures SOP.pdf (PDF)
- 2017 Stream Crossings SOP.pdf (PDF)
- APPS Agency Reference Guide v1.8.pdf (PDF)
- APPS FAQ for Habitat Biologists.pdf (PDF)
- APPS Step-by-Step 11-30-2017.pdf (PDF)
- APPS Suction Dredging HPA Guidance May 2018 FINAL.pdf (PDF)
- Coordination of HPAs and water rights 20091119.pdf (PDF)
- Documenting Emergency, Imminent Danger, and Applicant Hardship Declarations by WDFW 06 22 18.pdf (PDF)
- Dredging Mitigation Policy Guidance Final 02-2013.pdf (PDF)
- Emergency HPA Request Procedures for Call Center May 25 2017.pdf (PDF)
- FHEP Attachment 1 - Summary of FHEP Accept or Reject Criteria 12-28-2017.pdf (PDF)
- FHEP Attachment 2 - FHEP Flow Chart 12-28-2017.pdf (PDF)
- FHEP DFW sponsor CD project 5-11-15 Revised 12-27-2017.pdf (PDF)
- FHEP Guidance 12_28_17.pdf (PDF)
- Forage_Fish_HPA_Provision_Guidance_06-15-2017 Final.pdf (PDF)
- GHPA_procedures FINAL 060616.pdf (PDF)
- Habitat Program Comprehensive Training Plan V2.pdf (PDF)
- HPA guidance available on the web.pdf (PDF)
- HPA_Modifications_Guidance_9.26.17.pdf (PDF)
- Hydraulic Project Review User Guide.pdf (PDF)
- Interim Guidance - Mitigation Monitoring and Contingency Plans.pdf (PDF)
- Interim Guidance - Use of ILF Programs and Banks.pdf (PDF)
- Interim Guidance About Common Types of Agreements.pdf (PDF)
- JARPA_supplement_fish_enhancement 2014.pdf (PDF)
- Memo on signature authority 20130531.pdf (PDF)
- pol-1004.pdf (PDF)
- pol-1041.pdf (PDF)
- pol-5003.pdf (PDF)
- pol-5004.pdf (PDF)
- pol-5212.pdf (PDF)
- pol-5310.pdf (PDF)
- pol-5408.pdf (PDF)
- pol-7021.pdf (PDF)
- pol-8530.02.pdf (PDF)
- pol-m5002.pdf (PDF)
- WDFW Org Assessment Operational Mgt Practices-Matrix-Final-Report.pdf (PDF)