Wetland Resources

Policies, Regulations, and Permitting

The New Brunswick government manages wetlands through the New Brunswick Wetlands Conservation Policy and the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration Regulation (90-80) under the Clean Water Act. This policy and permitting process regulates all work in and around wetlands and watercourses to protect the health and natural function of these systems.

The policy applies to all regulated wetlands equal to or greater than one hectare in size, or any regulated wetlands which are continuous to watercourse regardless of size.

The policy regulates all alterations in wetlands and in the 30-metre protective area (buffer) around them. The policy prevents the loss of Provincially Significant Wetland and ensures no net loss of wetland functions in all other wetlands.

Under this policy, the Watercourse and Wetland Alteration (WAWA) permitting process is used to regulate and reduce negative impacts to wetlands by assessing and identifying threats caused by work projects. Watercourse and Wetland Alteration permits are required for all work carried out in or within 30-metres of a wetland or a watercourse.

Some common activities in or within wetlands or watercourses that require Watercourse and Wetland Alteration permits include, but are not limited to:

  • Soil disturbance or building structures;
  • Vegetation removal;
  • Use of machinery.

The New Brunswick Wetlands Conservation Policy encourages a 30-metre-wide protective buffer of natural, undisturbed vegetation around a wetland. The buffer protects wetlands from the impact of outside threats, and serves as important habitat for a wide range of wildlife.
Watercourses are the bottoms, banks and sides of any channel, natural or man-made, that is wider than 0.5 metres, and any other natural or man-made basin (e.g., lake or pond).

Contacts and Resources

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