Regulated Wetland Activities. Any person wishing to perform regulated activities on freshwater wetlands must obtain a permit. Regulated activities include any form of draining, dredging, excavation, removal of soil, mud, sand, shells, gravel or other aggregate from any freshwater wetland, either directly or indirectly. The building of any structures, roads, the driving of pilings, or the placing of any other obstructions is regulated, regardless if they do or do not alter water flow. Pollution, installing a septic tank, running a sewer outfall, discharging sewer treatment effluent or other liquid wastes into wetlands or to drain wetlands is subject to government approval. Furthermore, specific activities that substantially impair the functions served by wetlands or the benefits derived from them require a permit, whether or not they occur on the actual wetland affected.

Exempt Wetland Activities. The following activities are not covered by the act: activities in wetlands less than 12.4 acres; normal agricultural activities, except filling; recreational activities such as fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and picnicking; continuing lawfully existing land-uses; routine maintenance of existing structures or buildings; selectively cutting trees and harvesting firewood, but not clear-cutting trees or wetland vegetation.