Complete Permit Application Guidance for Section 404, 401, and HPA Permits
The Complete Permit Application Guidance (pdf 169 kb) will help permit applicants for WSDOT projects reduce delays associated with the permitting process by developing a complete Joint Aquatic Resource Permit Application (JARPA). JARPA is a single permit application for development activities in or among aquatic environments. Multiple regulatory agencies (Federal, State, and Local) worked together to create one application that people can use to apply for more than one permit at a time.
Complete Permit Application Drawing Guidance
The Complete Permit Application Drawing Guidance (pdf 498 kb) will help project teams determine what needs to be included in their permit application drawings and how they should be formatted. The purpose of this guidance is to make the permit application process more predictable and consistent. We can minimize the risk for schedule delays by submitting complete drawings to the regulatory agencies the first time. Adhering to this guidance will help WSDOT staff and consultants improve the quality of our JARPA drawings.
Complete Permit Application and Drawing Guidance Questions and Answers (pdf 29 kb)
Permitting Guidance for Projects with Impacts to Isolated Wetlands
The Washington State Department of Ecology must issue an Administrative Order for WSDOT projects impacting isolated wetlands. It is important to understand the resources available and Ecology’s permitting process (pdf 57 kb).
Section 401 Certification for 404 Nationwide Permits
Projects that are covered under the Army Corps Of Engineers nationwide permits may automatically receive 401 certification. The ACOE's Special Public Notice specifies whether a project must apply for individual 401 certification. ACOE's Special Public Notice has three parts. The first part describes the relationship between 401 certification and the section 404 nationwide permits. Pages 5 through 6 lists NWPs for which 401 certification is:
- approved for all projects--individual 401 certification is not needed.
- partially denied without prejudice-- some potentially covered activities will need individual 401 certification, whereas others will not.
- denied without prejudice--all covered activities will require individual 401 certification
For NWPs where 401 certification is partially denied without prejudice, refer to the second and third parts of the special public notice to determine if your project activities need individual certification. Note that the Chehalis and Puyallup tribes have 401 jurisdiction and require individual certification for all NWPs. The EPA, which handles federal and other tribal lands requires individual certification for essentially all NWPs.
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Beaver Trapping on WSDOT Property
There are occasions when beavers may need to be removed from WSDOT’s property for any number of reasons. If beaver removal is necessary, you must answer the question “Is the beaver activity causing human health/safety issues or property damage?” The answer to this question will determine the process that must be followed to remove the beaver. In either case, coordinate trapping activities with your Regional Maintenance Environmental Coordinator (RMEC) (pdf 17 kb) or Region Biologist.
The regulations for trapping are established by law in RCW 77.15.194 and WAC 232-12-142.
Trapping damaging beavers
If you can document that the beaver is causing, or will cause, health/safety issues or property damage then trapping can be done any time of the year. Safety issues and property damage include situations such as causing flooding over the roadway or erosion of the roadway fill slope. Documentation of the safety issue or property damage is required and the documentation should be placed in a file to provide to WDFW, if requested.
WSDOT employees do not need a license for removing beavers under this scenario. If a private nuisance trapper is used, he/she has to have a current trapping license and WSDOT is responsible for insuring their trapping license is up to date. Requesting a copy of their signed certification from WDFW is sufficient to insure compliance with this requirement.
Either live traps or body-gripping traps can be used to remove the beavers. If live traps are used, no Special Trapping permit is required. If body-gripping traps are used, a Special Trapping permit is required from WDFW and trapping cannot begin until you have the permit in hand. To submit for the nuisance abatement permit, you must fill out the one page “Application for Permit to Trap for Animal Problem” form and send it to WDFW’s Enforcement Office. It typically only takes a couple days for WDFW to process the permit once it is received. The Special Trapping permit is good for 30 days. It can be extended, upon request, for an additional 30 days if you have been unsuccessful in catching the beaver. The trapper must have this permit on hand while trapping. The permit also requires that a Trapper’s Report of Catch Form be filled out by April 10, whether or not any beavers were caught.
A beaver caught in a live trap can either be relocated within WSDOT property or euthanized.
Although there is no notification requirement for trapping, it is recommended that you let the local WDFW Area Habitat Biologist know when and where you will be trapping. This allows them to respond to any calls they may get from the general public concerning this activity.
Trapping non damaging beavers
Removal of beavers that are not causing a safety issue or damaging property requires a trapping license, including WSDOT employees. Trapping licenses are available only at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Olympia headquarters office (in person or by mail). A trapping license is valid from April 1 to March 31 of the next year. Trapping can only be performed during the Furbearer Trapping Season and only live traps can be used. The beaver may either be relocated with in WSDOT property or euthanized. A Special Special Trapping permit is not required for trapping in this situation.
Considerations
According to WDFW, research has shown that beavers seldom survive relocation. Methods of increasing the chances of survival are discussed in WDFW’s publication Living with Wildlife - Beavers.
Often times when you remove a beaver, another will take its place. Beavers live in colonies that may contain 2 to 12 individuals and colonies can be as close as ½ mile apart. In some situations it may be more effective to use some type of device, such as a beaver deceiver, to address the problem. Work with your environmental staff (Region Biologist and RMEC) to decide the best option for your particular situation.
If you have questions about the beaver trapping requirements work with your local WDFW Area Habitat Biologist or contact WDFW’s Enforcement Office.
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