WHAT IS A WETLAND?
A wetland is an aquatic resource located between land and water. Activities within some wetlands are regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As defined in 33 CFR Section 328.3 (b), wetlands means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. They may also include seasonally ponded areas.
WHAT IS WETLAND DELINEATION?
A wetland delineation establishes the boundary between wetlands and uplands (or non-wetlands). A wetland delineation establishes the location and physical limits, size, of a wetland for the purposes of federal, state, and local regulations. A wetland delineation is also an element of a “jurisdictional determination.” This process identifies which water bodies within a project’s boundaries meet the definition of “waters of the United States.” A wetland delineation should result in three things: 1) A wetland boundary clearly marked in the field; 2) A map that clearly identifies data collection points and the boundaries of the delineated wetland. (Topographic and aerial site maps are very helpful); 3) A report, with data sheets, that explains how the boundary was determined, and what scientific and regulatory methodologies were followed.
7Q10 are proficient in addressing the protocols for the following Corps Manuals and Regional Supplements: US Army Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual – 1987; Regional Supplements to the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual for: