1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center

Wetland Delination Manual, 1987 112
the reorganization of these forms, revisions have been made to collect data on the 1987 Manual,
include questions on the regional indicators, and clarify the functions and values assessments.
12.Q. How should the Corps provide comments on the proposed revisions to the 1989 manual?
A. Each District is to submit comments to their Division office for consolidation into one
response to EPA (in accordance with the Federal Register issued 14 August) prior to the end of
the comment period (currently 15 October); a copy of these comments are to be provided to
CECW-OR. Each Division is encouraged to provide comments to HQUSACE at least one week
prior to the end of the comment period so that key issues and concerns raised may be stressed in
the comments which will come from Headquarters. In addition, the Corps has the opportunity to
comment through the interagency field testing reports, which are due to HQUSACE by 1
November. HQUSACE and WES will continue to participate in interagency efforts to finalize
revisions to the 1989 Manual until such time as the revisions become final. There is
consideration being given as to the need for a time extension to the comment period (and
therefore the field testing). If this becomes final, we will let the Divisions know as soon as
possible.
13.Q. Is the information gathered during the inter agency field testing available for release to the
public and may the public accompany the teams in the field?
A. The interagency field testing of the proposed revisions to the 1989 Federal Manual for
Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands published in the 14 August, 1991 Federal
Register is being performed to evaluate the technical validity, practical utility, and clarity of
understanding of the proposed revisions. The results of the field testing will be taken into
consideration during the final revisions to the 1989 Manual. The information gathered during the
field testing is considered to be predecisional by HQUSACE and inappropriate for release prior
to the finalization of the proposed revisions. Counsel is preparing written guidance on this issue
and it will be distributed to the Divisions as soon as possible.
14.Q. Will delineations made now under the 1987 Corps Manual be subject to redelineation
under the revised 1989 Manual after it is finalized?
A. Wetland determinations made after 17 August, 1991, are made following the guidance
provided in the 1987 Corps Manual and memoranda of 23 and 27 August, 1991. These
delineations are subject to and remain valid for the period of time described in RGL 9-6. As
discussed in Issue #4 of the preamble to the proposed revisions to the 1989 Federal Manual for
Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands issued 14 August in the Federal Register,
wetland calls made after the issuance date of these revisions but prior to finalization of the
revised manual may be subject to redelineation under the new manual at the request of the
landowner. Final actions will generally not be reopened. Wetland calls made under the 1989
Manual are already subject to redelineation under the 1987 Manual in accordance with the
guidance issued 23 August. Until such time as the proposed revisions to the 1989 Manual are
finalized, it is unclear as to what effect, if any, the equity provision in the preamble to the
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