CORPS OF ENGINEERS REGULATORY PROGRAM WETLAND DELINEATION MANUAL August 26, 2005

Background Clean Water Act (1976) Implementing Regulations –Definition of Waters of the U.S. –EPA: 404(b)(1) guidelines (1980) Technical Report Y-87-1

Purpose and Intent Describe technical guidelines and methods using a multi-parameter approach to identify and delineate wetlands for purposes of Section 404 of the CWA Intent is not to change jurisdiction of the CWA Not a classification system

Manual Organization Introduction Technical Guidelines –Wetlands –Deepwater aquatic habitats –Non-wetlands Characteristics –Hydrophytic vegetation –Hydric soils –Wetland hydrology Methods –Routine –Comprehensive –Atypical –Problem Areas

Wetland: Defined Those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.

Wetland Hydrology Inundated or saturated –Upper 12 inches Growing season –Period when air temperatures are above 28 °F at a frequency of 5 years in 10 –Greater than 5 % Criteria –Visual observation of inundation/saturation –At least one primary indicators –At least 2 secondary indicators

Wetland Hydrology Sources of Data –Corps District offices –U.S. Geological Survey –National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration –Natural Resources Conservation Service –State, county, and local agencies –Developers and consultants

Wetland Hydrology Primary Indicators – Observation of inundation – Observation of soil saturation – Water marks – Drift lines – Sediment deposits – Drainage patterns in wetlands Secondary Indicators (2 or more required) – Oxidized root channels – Water-stained leaves – Local soil survey data – FAC-neutral test

Hydrology Indicators Water marks on trees Oxidized root channels