35-11-310. Notice to drain waters required; exception.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, after July 1, 1996, no person shall drain water from a naturally occurring or man-made wetland, or any series thereof, which has an area comprising five (5) acres or more, without first notifying the department that the water which will be drained from the wetland, or any series thereof, will not flood or adversely affect downstream lands. Notification shall include the size and location of the wetland, and whether the wetland is natural or man-made.
(b) Subsections (a) and (c) of this section do not apply to disturbances of wetlands resulting from mining operations conducted pursuant to mining permits issued by the department of environmental quality.
(c) Any person draining, or causing to be drained, water of a naturally occurring wetland, or any series thereof, which has an area comprising five (5) acres or more, without first notifying the department as required by subsection (a) of this section, shall not be eligible to participate in the mitigation credit banking system as provided by W.S. 35-11-311. Failure to notify the department pursuant to this section does not constitute a violation for purposes of W.S. 35-11-901.