1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center

Wetland Delination Manual, 1987 38
Section C. Selection of Method
56. All wetland delineation methods described in this manual can be grouped into two general
types: routine and comprehensive. Routine determinations (Section D) involve simple, rapidly
applied methods that result in sufficient qualitative data for making a determination.
Comprehensive methods (Section E) usually require significant time and effort to obtain the
needed quantitative data. The primary factor influencing method selection will usually be the
complexity of the required determination. However, comprehensive methods may sometimes
be selected for use in relatively simple determinations when rigorous documentation is
required.
57. Three levels of routine wetland determinations are described below. Complexity of the
project area and the quality and quantity of available information will influence the level
selected for use.
a. Level 1 - Onsite Inspection Unnecessary. This level may be employed when the
information already obtained (Section B) is sufficient for making a determination for the entire
project area (see Section D., Subsection 1).
b. Level 2 - Onsite Inspection Necessary. This level must be employed when there is
insufficient information already available to characterize the vegetation, soils, and hydrologyof
the entire project area (see Section D, Subsection 2).
c. Level 3 - Combination of Levels 1 and 2. This level should be used when there is sufficient
information already available to characterize the vegetation, soils, and hydrology of a portion,
but not all, of the project area. Methods described for Level 1 may be applied to portions of
the area for which adequate information already exists, and onsite methods (Level 2) must be
applied to the remainder of the area (see Section D, Subsection 3).
58. After considering all available information, select a tentative method (see above) for use,
and PROCEED TO EITHER Section D or E, as appropriate. NOTE: Sometimes it may be
necessary to change to another method described in the manuaz, depending on the quality of
available information and/or recent changes in the prospect area.
Section D. Routine Determinations
59. This section describes general procedures for making routine wetland determinations. It is
assumed that the user has already completed all applicable steps in Section B, ( If it has been
determined that it is more expedient to conduct an onsite inspection than to search for
available information, complete STEPS 1 through 3 of Section B, and PROCEED TO
Subsection 2.) and a routine method has been tentatively selected for use (Section C).
Subsections 1-3 describe steps to be followed when making a routine determination using one
of the three levels described in Section C. Each subsection contains a flowchart that defines the
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