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

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Hydrology Indicators Water marks on trees Oxidized root channels