Washington HPA Requirements for Docks and Shorelines

WASHINGTON FISH-HABITAT REVIEW

Washington law generally requires a Hydraulic Project Approval, or HPA, for construction or other work that uses, diverts, obstructs, or changes the natural flow or bed of state salt or fresh waters.

Projects that may require HPA review

Waterfront work commonly associated with HPA review includes new or replacement docks, piers, floats, ramps, piles, boat lifts, bulkheads, shoreline stabilization, beach nourishment, dredging, aquatic-plant work, bank protection, stream crossings, and demolition in or near state waters. The project location and exact scope determine whether an individual HPA, streamlined pathway, pamphlet authorization, or another process applies.

What WDFW reviews

• Fish life and aquatic habitat at and near the site.
• Project footprint, overwater coverage, shading, water depth, and pile locations.
• Shoreline processes, substrate, vegetation, erosion, and sediment movement.
• Construction methods, equipment, access, timing, turbidity, noise, and debris control.
• Materials placed in or near the water.
• Removal of existing structures and restoration of disturbed areas.
• Work windows and conditions intended to protect fish and habitat.

Information that helps an HPA application

• Clear existing and proposed drawings with dimensions, ordinary high water, waterward extent, and construction access.
• Pile number, diameter, material, installation method, and removal method.
• Float, ramp, and decking dimensions, including grating or light-transmitting features.
• Shoreline-treatment length, height, material, toe elevation, drainage, and alternatives considered.
• In-water work duration, sequencing, and proposed work window.
• Habitat information, biological studies, photographs, and mitigation measures.
• Construction pollution-prevention and debris-containment measures.

HPA conditions become construction requirements

An issued HPA may specify work timing, access, isolation, pile methods, materials, grating, equipment condition, spill response, concrete handling, erosion control, restoration, notification, and reporting. The contractor should review the full approval before estimating and again before mobilization. Conflicts between the HPA, local plans, federal authorization, and construction drawings should be resolved before work begins.

Dock and float design considerations

Reviewers may consider how a structure affects light, shallow-water habitat, fish movement, substrate, vegetation, and shoreline function. Project teams can evaluate narrower components, grating, increased height, orientation, fewer piles, reduced overwater area, deeper-water placement, or removal of obsolete structures when those changes meet the project’s purpose.

Shoreline stabilization considerations

For bulkheads and shoreline work, reviewers may evaluate the cause of erosion, risk to existing structures, alternatives to new hard armoring, waterward encroachment, beach substrate, forage-fish habitat, vegetation, large woody material, and neighboring shoreline effects. Drainage correction, vegetation, beach nourishment, soft stabilization, or hybrid systems may be considered where feasible.

Related WCI guides

• JARPA application guide
• Salmon work windows
• Soft shoreline construction
• Washington waterfront permit checklist

HPA requirements and rules can change. Confirm current requirements directly with WDFW and qualified project professionals before relying on this guide or beginning work.