Wetlands Act of 1970:
The land immediately adjacent to tidal water often contains coastal wetlands which are regulated under the Wetlands Act of 1970. NJDEP regulates activities within coastal wetlands pursuant to the Wetlands Act of 1970, N.J.S.A. 13:9A-1 et seq. The Act required the Commissioner to inventory and map the boundaries of all coastal wetlands within the State from the Raritan Bay south. The NJDEP’s Coastal Wetlands maps are used to determine jurisdiction. You must have coastal wetlands permit to excavate, dredge, fill or place a structure on any coastal wetland shown on the maps. Wetlands beyond or inland of these delineated wetlands are regulated under the freshwater wetland regulations, subject of another discussion.