NEW FEDERAL WETLAND DELINEATION CRITERIA

A summary of the:

Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Northcentral and Northeast Region

The Northcentral and Northeast Regional Supplement to the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual will be utilized for wetland delineations starting March 1^st, 2010.

The Regional Supplement presents wetland indicators, delineation guidance, and other information that is specific to the Northcentral and Northeast Region. The development of Regional Supplements is part of a nationwide effort to address regional wetland characteristics and improve the accuracy and efficiency of wetland delineation procedures.

The Regional Supplement is one of a series of supplements to the 1987 Manual. The Regional Supplement presents wetland indicators, delineation guidance, and other information that is specific to the Northcentral and Northeast Region. The development of Regional Supplements is part of a nationwide effort to address regional wetland characteristics and improve the accuracy and efficiency of wetland-delineation procedures. This supplement is applicable to the Northcentral and Northeast Region, which consists of all or portions of 15 states: Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin”.

 

HOW WILL THIS EFFECT LAND EQUITY?

· More inclusive wetland analysis criteria

· Expanded regulated wetland boundaries

· Increased application processing time

· Expanded criteria for delineations on agricultural and silvicultural lands

 

The three parameter approach of identifying federal wetlands based on soils, hydrology and vegetation is still utilized

 

Hydric Soil Criteria

Example of changes:

· Revised data sheets which require significantly more information to be taken

· Hydric soil indicators have been revised resulting in additional areas meeting hydric soil criteria

An example of a secondary wetland hydrology indicator (surface soil cracks)

 

 

Hydrology Criteria

Example of changes:

· The definition for the "growing season" has changed. Plant activity has been added to soil temperature criteria, as well as reducing the depth (from 20” below ground surface to 12” below ground surface) for accurately recording soil temperature.

 

· Hydrology criteria are broken down between primary and secondary indicators. Hydrology is considered met if one primary or two secondary indicator(s) is met

 

· Hydrologic indicators are much more inclusive (i.e. Restrictive layer within 12” of the ground surface can be used as an indicator of wetland hydrology)

 

· Additional site visits, ground water monitoring, evaluation of aerial photographs and local rainfall activity may be required to confirm or deny the presence of hydrology criteria

An example of a primary hydrology indicator (water marks on trees)

 

An example of a primary wetland hydrology indicator (water stained leaves)

 

 

Vegetation Criteria

Example of changes:

 

· Revised data sheets which require significantly more information to be taken

 

· Criteria for analysis and identifying hydrophytic vegetation more encompassing

 

· Qualifiers (+ or -) removed from the indicator status of vegetation (i.e. species that are FAC+, FAC and FAC-, would all be treated equally as FAC species)

 

· Replaces the use of “relative percent cover” for analyzing vegetative data with the use of “absolute cover”

 

An example of an area that lacks hydrophytic vegetation and could still be considered a wetland

(Species: European Buckthorn - Rhamnus cathartica)

 

Growing season will now be determined by soil temperature and now spring plant activity

Photo Date: March 17, 2008

 

Criteria for Analyzing Disturbed Areas Including Agricultural and Silvicultural Sites

 

Disturbed areas that lack one or more of the criteria will need additional analysis to determine if the area is a wetland. This may include:

 

· Leaving the area fallow for one or more growing season(s) to see if hydrophytic vegetation establishes.

 

· Removal of certain FACU species from analysis

 

· Using a reference site to compare the subject site too

 

"wetland determinations on difficult or problematic sites must be based on the best information available to the field inspector, interpreted in

the light of his or her professional experience and knowledge of the ecology of wetlands in the region" (Supplement pg. 117)

                                    An example of a disturbed site lacking one or more criteria for analysis               An example of a disturbed site lacking one or more criteria for analysis

                                                                 

 

Click on the images below to view the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and the Interim Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Northcentral and Northeast Region (Supplement)