When the impacts are significant, the permittee is required to compensate for the loss of the functions and values. DES requires that certain projects mitigate for the impacts by conducting one (or more) of the following activities:
- Restoring a previously existing wetland
- Creating a new wetland, or
- Preserving land (at least 50 % upland) to protect the values of the adjacent wetlands or water resource.
Since 1967, New Hampshire has required permits for such activities. While state law requires that dredging and filling of jurisdictional areas must be avoided and impacts minimized, More than 2,000 permits each year are issued for unavoidable impacts.