Oregon Updates Fees For Wetland And Waterway Permits (Photo)
- 08/21/25
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has adopted new fees for the Removal-Fill Program, which helps protect wetlands and waterways by requiring permits for projects that add or remove material from rivers, lakes, wetlands, and streams, and other waters throughout Oregon.
The updated fees take effect January 1, 2026. Applications received on or before December 31, 2025 will be charged current 2025 rates.
Key changes include:
- A five-year fee schedule with annual increases, starting in 2026.
- Fees that begin covering 60% of program costs in 2026 and rise to 80% by 2030.
- A tiered structure will set fees according to project size, complexity, and whether the project is for-profit or not.
- A five percent annual inflation adjustment.
Oregon’s Removal-Fill Program protects waters by reviewing projects such as bridge and boat ramp construction, culvert installation, or filling wetlands for development. When wetlands or waters are present, applicants must submit a wetland delineation report to identify the boundaries of the protected area.
Currently, permit fees cover only 21% of program costs. The remaining costs come from the interest accrued by the Common School Fund, which supports Oregon’s public schools. The new fee structure reduces this subsidy while giving applicants a clear schedule of costs for the next five years.
The new fees were developed with input from a rulemaking advisory committee and two rounds of public comment. DSL adopted the rules after considering feedback from communities, Tribes, industry, and other partners.
More information and the full fee schedule are available at oregon.gov/dsl/wetlands-waters,
.
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www.oregon.gov/dsl
Oregon Updates Fees For Wetland And Waterway Permits (Photo)
- 08/21/25
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) has adopted new fees for the Removal-Fill Program, which helps protect wetlands and waterways by requiring permits for projects that add or remove material from rivers, lakes, wetlands, and streams, and other waters throughout Oregon.
The updated fees take effect January 1, 2026. Applications received on or before December 31, 2025 will be charged current 2025 rates.
Key changes include:
- A five-year fee schedule with annual increases, starting in 2026.
- Fees that begin covering 60% of program costs in 2026 and rise to 80% by 2030.
- A tiered structure will set fees according to project size, complexity, and whether the project is for-profit or not.
- A five percent annual inflation adjustment.
Oregon’s Removal-Fill Program protects waters by reviewing projects such as bridge and boat ramp construction, culvert installation, or filling wetlands for development. When wetlands or waters are present, applicants must submit a wetland delineation report to identify the boundaries of the protected area.
Currently, permit fees cover only 21% of program costs. The remaining costs come from the interest accrued by the Common School Fund, which supports Oregon’s public schools. The new fee structure reduces this subsidy while giving applicants a clear schedule of costs for the next five years.
The new fees were developed with input from a rulemaking advisory committee and two rounds of public comment. DSL adopted the rules after considering feedback from communities, Tribes, industry, and other partners.
More information and the full fee schedule are available at oregon.gov/dsl/wetlands-waters,
.
###
www.oregon.gov/dsl