1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center

Wetland Delination Manual, 1987 111
6.Q. Is there a map that goes with the regional indicators?
A. Yes, the regional indicators of soil saturation continue to be developed and are being
proposed for use with the manual for the four Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation
Service main regions; Northeast, South, Midwest and West (see enclosed map).
7.Q. Can the soils list be used as corroborative information with a secondary indicator for
verification that the hydrology criterion is met?
A. No, only the information listed can be used. Comments on the appropriateness of the
information and suggestions for others should be provided during the comment period.
8.Q. Can blackened leaves be used as hydrology indicator?
A. No, only those listed in the list of hydrology indicators.
9.Q. Must three transects always be evaluated for the methodology described to determine the
prevalence index?
A. No, in most cases, only 1 transect is required for purposes of these tests. The following
guidance provides the exact circumstances under which options concerning the number of
transects are permitted before proceeding to Step 11 and repeating the two transects: - If the
prevalence index value determined for the first transect is less than 2.5 or more than 3.5, and, in
the professional judgment of the investigators repeated transects are likely to provide the same
result, the investigators need not repeat the transect. In cases where this shortened method is
used, this should be reflected in the results. While the agencies recognize that this change in
protocol does not strictly adhere to the method contained in the revised manual, it is nevertheless
a practical step to reduce the demands of using the comprehensive method.
10.Q. How are the frost-free dates determined under the proposed revisions which the field
testing should utilize?
A. The frost-free dates are to be determined by using the summary of growing season data
developed by NOAA referred to on the first page of the Interagency Protocol. This information
is available for each state and will be provided to the Divisions for distribution to the field in the
near future.
11.Q. Must sites visited and data collected prior to the recently released revised data sheets be
redone using the new forms?
A. No, both versions collect essentially the same data. Sections I (Background) and VI (Wetland
Evaluation) of the revised data sheets are identified as sections that will generally apply to the
entire site, and in most cases will not have to be repeated for each individual transect. Besides
25 February 1997 Environmental Techncal Services Co. 834 Castle Ridge Rd Austin, Texas 78746