Georgia Wetlands: What you need to know

Georgia Water Quality Control Act, Code of Georgia Annotated (CGA) 12-5-20 to 12-5-53

Georgia Shore Protection Act (GSPA), CGA 12-5-230 to 12-5-248

Georgia Coastal Marshlands Protection Act, CGA 12-5-280 to 12-5-297

Land-use planning: Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia (GRR) 391-3-16-.03

Marshlands protection: CGA 12-5-280 to 12-5-297 and GRR 391-2-3-.01 to 391-2-3-.04

Permit application: CGA 12-5-286

Permit restrictions: CGA 12-5-288

Upland component marshland buffers: GRR 391-2-3-.02

Shore protection: CGA 12-5-237 and GRR 391-2-2-.01 to 391-2-2-.03

Permit applications: CGA 12-5-238

Permit process: CGA 12-5-239(k)

Local programs: CGA 12-5-241

Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Resources Division

DNR Environmental Protection Division

DNR Environmental Protection Division Geologic Survey Branch

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Savannah District Office Mobile District Office Jacksonville District Office

See ADDRESSES & CONTACTS for addresses and telephone numbers.

See national section for basic information and federal regulations.

• Rules. Georgia protects its waters under the general authority of the Georgia Water Quality Control Act (CGA 12-5-20 to 12-5-53). The state has established regulations with general protection criteria for wetlands and has laws that may require state permits (in addition to federal permits and state water-quality certification) for projects in a wetland area.

If a proposed wetlands project is not covered by a nationwide or general permit, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) provides public notice of the wetlands application, and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will ...