Expert says corps' rule won't hurt state's efforts

JOHN DODGE, THE OLYMPIAN

OLYMPIA -- New regulations issued this week by the Bush administration are not likely to diminish efforts to protect wetlands in this state, wetlands officials say.

The new Army Corps of Engineers rule allowing some wetland filling in intermittent streams and flood plains would be prohibited by local ordinances and state rules, said Andy McMillan, wetlands specialist with the state Department of Ecology.

The corps rule would not usurp wetland protections established by local and state governments, he said.

"In Washington, we're in a lot better shape than other parts of the country," he said.

In addition, filling of a streambed would not be allowed in light of salmon recovery efforts required under the Endangered Species Act, said Brid Nowlan, science director for the Washington Wetlands Network, a program of the National Audubon Society.

Early accounts of the rule change did not make it clear that the corps' rule changes are for so-called "nationwide" permits, not individual project permits, McMillan said.

Nationwide permits are for projects that would have a minimal effect on the environment and therefore receive less scrutiny.

He said most projects still would require an individual permit, which places conditions on project designs and construction to limit or mitigate damage to wetlands.

The Olympian Copyright 2002

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