Hydraulic Code Implementation Community Advisory Group

Since 1943, anyone planning certain construction projects or activities in or near state waters has been required to obtain an environmental permit commonly known as a Hydraulic Project Approval (HPA). Thousands of HPAs are issued each year for activities ranging from work on bulkheads, piers, and docks to culvert replacement and mineral prospecting.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) administers the HPA program under the state Hydraulic Code, which is specifically for the protection of fish life. WDFW Habitat Biologists  process HPA applications. But more importantly, biologists help people and groups apply for an HPA and provide technical assistance to ensure projects meet state conservation standards for finfish, shellfish and the habitat that supports them.

The role of the advisory group is to provide perspectives on how WDFW administers the Hydraulic Code Rules (Chapter 220-660 WAC).  This includes providing advice about changes proposed to regulations and operations of the HPA program.

At the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, we celebrate diverse individuals who bring a wide range of perspectives. All are welcome to participate in our processes regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability.

Mission statement

The purpose of the advisory group is to provide input to WDFW HPA Program staff on ways to improve implementation of the HPA Program in order to 1) Maintain and improve consistency of HPA permits; 2) Improve the soundness of permits; 3) Increase understanding of the public about the importance of the HPA in protecting fish life, and 4) Improve HPA implementation outcomes for fish and people.

The advisory group provides input on the effectiveness of the HPA program in such areas as procedures, transparency, consistency, outcomes, compliance, and communications. Fish protections that can be improved through operational measures without changes to rule or statute are also topics for discussion by the group.

Meeting calendar

Agendas will be available approximately one week prior to the next meeting.

Date Location Meeting materials
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In-person meeting. Location and agenda will be posted closer to the meeting.

Agenda to come
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Virtual meeting

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Natural Resources Building in Olympia, WA

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Meeting will be virtual. Please see the agenda for more information.

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Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information

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Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information

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Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information

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** Meeting cancelled **
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Individual calls with CAG members were conducted in lieu of a meeting.

Agenda to come
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** Meeting cancelled **
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Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information

 

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Video Conference Call - See Agenda for Call Information

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WebEx Meeting

 

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Thurston County Fairgrounds Expo Room

3034 Carpenter Road SE

Lacey, WA  98503

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** Meeting cancelled **

Wa. PUD Assn. Conf. Rm. at 212 Union Ave SE Suite 2, Olympia, WA 98501

Wa. PUD Assn. Conf. Rm. at 212 Union Ave SE Suite 2, Olympia, WA 98501

Olympia Center Rm 100: 2018 HPA/Enf recaps
Olympia WPUD Conf Rm: Introduction to compliance issues
Olympia, DCR Handouts: Suction dredge rule making, proposed comments, Whitehouse proposal
Olympia, DCR Handouts: Whitehouse proposal, Thurston response, March 2018 "Issues & Buckets"
Olympia 600 Cap Way N. Handouts: See minutes for transcribed wall notes
Olympia NRB 556 Handouts: HPA 2017 overview; Climate Change slides
Webinar Handouts: Proposed Rules; Sultan/Similkameen science
Mill Ck Region 4 Conf Room Topics: Skype with Margen Carlson; Rulemaking overview; Sultan River (Brokes); Atlantic Salmo
Webinar/Conference Call Handouts: Incorporating climate science into culvert design
Olympia NRB DCR Handouts: Habitat News; charter; draft SOPs
Mill Ck Region 4 Large Conf Rm Handouts: Meeting notes; charter
10:00am - 3:00pm, WDFW Directors Conference Room 537, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, WA
10:00 am - 3:00 pm, WDFW Region 4 Office, Large Conference Room, 16018 Mill Creek Blvd, Mill Creek, WA 98012
10:00am - 3:00pm, WDFW Directors Conference Room 537, Natural Resources Building, Olympia, WA
Olympia Capitol Bldg, Columbia Room Handouts: draft forage fish guidance; 1st Compliance & Effectiveness Monitoring rept
Port of Tacoma, Fabulich Center Conf Rm 104 Handouts: Drought response 2015; culvert design guidelines; Monitorin
Olympia OB2 Conf Rm SL-04 Handouts: HPA Program overview; forage fish science

Additional information

HPA Implementation Guidance Documents