Delineation Resources

Environmental consultants play an important role in protecting Oregon’s wetlands and waters. They work with applicants to delineate the boundaries of protected resources, submit delineation reports to DSL, and help guide applicants through the removal-fill permitting process.

Oregon's Administrative Rules (OAR 141-085 and 141-090) require consultants meet certain standards when submitting delineation reports. Reports must:

Identify all wetlands and waters on the parcel.
Be prepared in accordance with the 1987 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wetlands Delineation Manual, including its regional supplements for the arid west or western mountains and valleys, and any supporting technical or guidance documents issued by the USACE or DSL.
Meet the reporting requirements found in OAR 141-090-0030 and 0035.

Submit a Report

You may submit a delineation report electronically or by mail:

Submit online: Email your report to wetland.delineation@dsl.oregon.gov. If your report is 35 MB in size or larger, it must instead be uploaded to this online portal and DSL notified by email.
Submit by mail: Alternatively, you may send an unbound copy of the report and a signed cover form to Oregon Department of State Lands, 775 Summer Street NE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97301-1279.

Make a payment: Payments may be made online here or checks mailed to DSL. See delineation report fees here.

DSL staff will review completed reports within 120 days of receipt and respond with an approval, a request for additional information, a site visit confirmation, or a rejection.

If the report is approved, DSL will issue an approval letter. Approved delineations are generally valid for five years, unless site changes require revision.

The approval letter will also describe the criteria under which a removal-fill permit is required. First, work with your consultant or builder to see if the project can be designed to avoid or minimize impacts to the identified wetlands and waters. If impacts must occur, then the next step is to work with the consultant to submit a removal-fill permit application. Learn more about removal-fill permits.