1. (a) An applicant for a permit issued under this chapter:

   1. (1) must demonstrate, as a prerequisite to the issuance of the permit, that wetland activity:

      1. (A) is:

         1. (i) without reasonable alternative; and

         2. (ii) reasonably necessary or appropriate;

            to achieve a legitimate use proposed by the applicant on the property on which the wetland is located; and

      2. (B) for a Class III wetland, is without practical alternative and will be accompanied by taking steps that are practicable and appropriate to minimize potential adverse impacts of the discharge on the aquatic ecosystem of the wetland; and

   2. (2) except as provided in subsection (b), must establish that compensatory mitigation will be provided as set forth in section 6 of this chapter to reasonably offset the loss of wetlands allowed by the permits.

      The department or the board may prescribe additional conditions on applicants that are reasonable and necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

2. (b) The commissioner may approve exceptions to compensatory mitigation in specific, limited circumstances.

3. (c) For purposes of subsection (a)(1)(A):

   1. (1) a resolution of the executive of the county or municipality in which the wetland is located; or

   2. (2) a permit or other approval from a local government entity having authority over the proposed use of the property on which the wetland is located;

      that includes a specific finding that the wetland activity is as described in subsection (a)(1)(A) is considered conclusive evidence of that fact.

As added by P.L.282-2003, SEC.38. Amended by P.L.52-2004, SEC.8; P.L.1-2024, SEC.8.