1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center
1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center
1987 Wetland Delineation Manual - The Wetlands Regulation Center
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<strong>Wetland</strong> Delination <strong>Manual</strong>, <strong>1987</strong> 51<br />
Section E. Comprehensive Determinations<br />
67. This section describes procedures for making comprehensive wetland determinations.<br />
Unlike procedures for making routine determinations (Section D), application of procedures<br />
described in this section will result in maximum information for use in making determinations,<br />
and the information usually will be quantitatively expressed. Comprehensive determinations<br />
should only be used when the project area is very complex and/or when the determination<br />
requires rigorous documentation. This type of determination may be required in areas of any<br />
size, but will be especially useful in large areas. <strong>The</strong>re may be instances in which only one<br />
parameter (vegetation, soil, or hydrology) is disputed. In such cases, only procedures<br />
described in this section that pertain to the disputed parameter need be completed. It is<br />
assumed that the user has already completed all applicable steps in Section B. NOTE:<br />
Depending on site characteristics, it may be necessary to alter the sampling design and/or<br />
data collection procedures.<br />
68. This section is divided into five basic types of activities. <strong>The</strong> first consists of preliminary<br />
field activities that must be completed prior to making a determination (STEPS 1-5). <strong>The</strong><br />
second outlines procedures for determining the number and locations of required<br />
determinations (STEPS 6-8). <strong>The</strong> third describes the basic procedure for making a<br />
comprehensive wetland determination at any given point (STEPS 9-17). <strong>The</strong> fourth describes<br />
a procedure for determining wetland boundaries (STEP 18). <strong>The</strong> fifth describes a procedure<br />
for synthesizing the collected data to determine the extent of wetlands in the area (STEPS 20-<br />
21). A flowchart showing the relationship of various steps required for making a<br />
comprehensive determination is presented in Figure 16.<br />
Equipment and material<br />
69. Equipment and materials needed for making a comprehensive determination include:<br />
a. Base map (Section B, STEP 2).<br />
b. Copies of DATA FORMS 1 and 2.<br />
c. Appendices C and D.<br />
d. Compass.<br />
e. Tape (300 ft).<br />
f. Soil auger or spade.<br />
g. Munsell Color Charts (Munsell Color 1975).<br />
h. Quadrat (3.28 ft by 3.28 ft).<br />
i. Diameter or basal area tape (for woody overstory).<br />
Field procedures<br />
70. Complete the following steps:<br />
• STEP I - Identify the Project Area. Using information from the USGS quadrangle or other<br />
appropriate map (Section B), locate and measure the spatial boundaries of the project area.<br />
Determine the compass heading of each boundary and record on the base map (Section B,<br />
25 February 1997 Environmental Techncal Services Co. 834 Castle Ridge Rd Austin, Texas 78746