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1992 Wetlands Inventory & Evaluation Method Discovery Bay Watershed
a\ L Y � t s�i.. . s•. er: �L WETLANDS INVENTORY AND EVALUATION METHOD DISCOVERY BAY WATERSHED by Teri Granger Wetlands Specialist Conducted by the Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Study Team Cooperating Agencies include: USDA Soil Conservation Service US .Environmental Protection Agency USDA Forest Service Washington State Department of Fisheries Washington State Department of Ecology September, 1992 Wetlands Inventory and Evaluation Method: Discovery Bay Watershed Conducted by the Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Team The following is a description of the methods and materials used to complete the wetlands portion of the Discovery Bay Watershed Characterization report (Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Team, 1992). The Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Team (PSCRBT) submitted the report to the Jefferson County Water Quality Office for use by a watershed committee in developing a watershed management (action) plan. The watershed management planning process is mandated in the Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan to address nonpoint pollution problems and the protection of beneficial uses of water in Puget Sound watersheds (Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, 1991). Method Development Because of the size of the Watershed, number of wetlands present, time available, and staffing constraints, field observations of all wetlands in the Watershed were impossible. A strategy to provide the most useful information to the management committee was developed with these limitations in mind. The strategy was based on interviews of local government staff and wetland experts, as well as past experience. Interviews were held in person or by phone to discuss the characterization approach and /or gather information about the watershed's wetlands and prominent wetlands issues. The watershed management committee had not been formed yet so they could not be consulted about the characterization approach. Interviewees included: 1 Two watershed citizens, Kathleen Mitchell and Roger Risley, provided information about the Watershed and assisted with some of the field reconnaissance. The assistance of all of these individuals is greatly appreciated. The PSCRBT Strategy included a three phased inventory and evaluation approach. III* Compile existing wetland and hydric soil maps to create a wetland and deepwater map for the Watershed. Revise the boundaries of selected wetlands (when needed) based on field observations and photographic interpretation. Add wetlands not already mapped when noted during field reconnaissance. III* Assess wetland condition, such as land use impacts and nonpoint pollution sources, at randomly selected wetland sites using both historical photography and brief field reconnaissance. (When a site could not be easily observed, assessment of conditions was based on photography.) Iy Collect data during field site visits to selected wetlands and apply an evaluation method to assess wetland values and functions. 2 h ' Method Implementation The PSCRBT used the following sources to implement the strategy and to produce maps, data, and information included in the report. Wetlands Mans Existing maps were used as baseline location and extent data for watershed wetlands mapping. The National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) and Soil Survey maps were obtained in digital form and placed in the PSCRBT's computerized Geographic Information System (GIS). NWI wetland boundaries were revised for wetlands included in the 3 value and function evaluations when field observations differed from NWI maps. During random field evaluations of wetland condition, obvious discrepancies between field observations and maps were also noted and changes made to PSCRBT final maps. In some cases, wetlands were added. Many mapping changes made during the wetland condition assessments were based on windshield observations of hydrophytic vegetation and /or on aerial photographic interpretation. In addition, the classification of a few wetlands was changed from palustrine (freshwater) to estuarine (mixture of salt and fresh water) as a result of field work. Although the USFWS' definition of wetlands was used during the inventory, a Washington State Department of Ecology wetland determination method for inventories was generally followed (Ecology, 1991); see Appendix C. The method is based on the concepts presented in the "Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands" (Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation, 1989). Because of the rapid and broad brush nature of inventories, the federal method has been simplified for use during inventories and the Ecology method modified to fit. PSCRBT needs (for example, vegetation is uses as a basis for mapping in many cases). Revisions to wetland boundaries were mapped on the Washington State Department of Natural Resources' 1:12,000 orthophotographs and, in some cases, on 1:12,000 black and white aerial photographs. The boundaries were digitized from the orthophotos and aerial photographs and placed in the GIS. 4 The PSCRBT's wetlands maps are intended for use as planning tool. They can also be used to alert local government staff, land investors, developers, and other land owners and citizens to areas that may contain wetlands. They do not establish regulatory boundaries. They are not intended to replace the precise determinations and other studies needed when a project is proposed in an area. Wetland Condition Evaluations Using random sampling of polygons on NWI and hydric soils maps, 35 wetlands were observed in the field and on historical (black and white 1948 and /or 1965) and current photography (black and white 1990) to assess their condition. Wetland conditions were also assessed at six value and function evaluation sites, increasing the total sites sampled to 41. The wetland nearest an access point, such as a road, and closest to a sampling point in every other section throughout the Watershed was observed. Features such as alterations, presence of obvious exotic species, buffer width, and pollution inputs were noted and recorded on field data forms. When a wetland was not accessible, photography was used to determine condition. An example of the wetland condition form is in Appendix A, page two of the characterization data form. Entries of the data forms were tallied to estimate the general condition of the watershed's wetlands and the activities affecting them. Values and Functions Assessment Six wetlands were selected for function and value assessments. The studies were completed to help determine the benefits that wetlands provide in the Watershed and to provide site specific examples. Biological support, flood and stormwater abatement, water quality improvement, cultural values, shoreline stabilization, stream flow support, groundwater exchange, and heritage values were evaluated. Wetland condition and buffer value were also determined. Field observations, NWI maps, soil surveys, geology maps, topography maps, and any other available information were used to apply a Washington State Department of Ecology draft functions and values characterization method (Ecology, 1991). Sample field data forms and methodology work sheets are included in Appendix A and B. A report, "Values and Functions Evaluations of Selected Wetlands in the Discovery Bay Watershed' (Granger, 1992), describes the evaluated wetlands. One of the first steps in the functions and values evaluation process is determining the approximate boundaries at the wetland site. During the field visit, an area was verified as a wetland and the approximate boundary was determined using wetland field indicators and photo interpretation. When it was too time consuming to field 5 inventory a wetland due to its size or lack of access, photo interpretation, windshield observations, and soils maps were used to approximate the boundaries and classifications. Products Most of the products of the watershed characterization (except the values and functions document) are included in the Discovery Bay Watershed report (PSCRBT, 1992). Products include: IN* wetland maps 11* tallies IIy characterizations II* general watershed values and functions descriptions III* conclusions and recommendations for management actions. A larger 1:37,000 scale working wetland map was produced for Jefferson County for use with the watershed committee. Digital mapping files will be made available to Jefferson County and other appropriate entities Bibliography Cowardin, Lewis, Virginia Carter, Frances Golet, and Edward LaRoe. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats on the United States. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1979. Washington State Department of Ecology. Wetlands Inventory Grant Requirements Phase II: Basic Identification and Boundary Delineation Method for Wetlands Field Inventories. Olympia, Washington: Wetlands Section, Department of Ecology, 1990. Washington State Department of Ecology. Wetlands Values and Functions Characterization Methodology. Olympia, Washington: Wetlands Section, Department of Ecology, 1991. Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation. Federal Manual for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, D.C.: Cooperative Technical Publication, 2989. Granger, Teri. Values and Functions Evaluations of Selected Wetlands in the Discovery Bay Watershed. Olympia, Washington: Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Team, 1992. Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Study Team. The Discovery Bay Watershed. Olympia, Washington: U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Puget Sound Cooperative River Basin Study Team, 1992. Puget Sound Water Quality Authority. Puget Sound Water Quality Management Plan. Seattle, Washington: Puget Sound Water Quality Authority, 1991. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory: Port Townsend South, Washington quadrangle. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory: Port Townsend North, Washin on quadrangle. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory: Gardiner, Washinglon quadrangle. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory: Uncas, Washington quadrangle. 7 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory: Center, Washington quadrangle. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wetlands Inventory: Mt. Zion, Washington quadrangle. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey of the Clallam County Area. Spokane, Washington: Soil Conservation Service, 1979. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service. Soil Survey of the Jefferson County Area, Washington. Spokane, Washington: Soil Conservation Service, 1975. n APPENDICES: APPENDIX A WETLANDS VALUES AND FUNCTIONS CHARACTERIZATION DATA FORM WASH330TON EWA13MM CF MOOLOOr WETLANDS CHARACTERIZATION INVENTORY SAL DATA (GD) (TO BE FILLED OUT IN THE OFFICE) Wetlewd field #: Wetland final #: - Wetland news: Date: Time start: Tins finish: Field team names MG Field !!sp news: Ortho quad name: Aerial photo #: Location: T R S 1/4 County: City- 1. Wetland size in acres: 2. Indicate which of the following best describes the location of the wetland within the watershed: a. low b. middle C. high 3. Which of the following best describes the accuracy of NWI in identifying the wetland? (!lark all that apply) a. Indicated on WAX but does not exist in the field b. Indicated on NWI. but wrong location c. Indicated on WWI, but wrong size d. Sot indicated on WWI, but exists in the field e. Different classification thaw indicated on WWI 4. Does the wetland include documented habitat for 1) endangered or threatened plant, fish, or animal species or 2) for priority or sensitive species listed with WDW. or 3) listed fish species in WDOF hydraulic MAC? (WDW. WDF, WDHH) No Yes List species. if known: S. Is the wetland docmented by Natural Heritage as a high Quality native wetland site, or does it qualify as a Natural Heritage wetland? No yes 6. Is the wetland listed on the National or State Register of Archeological end Historic Sites, or, if not listed, does it have =7 known archeological features? No yes 7. Is the site part of or adjacent to an existing or proposed recreation area, or is the site connected to ew.existing or proposed conservation/natural area? (BS) No yes S. Does the wetland meet recreation needs that are identified in the local jurisdiction's "Parks and Recreation Plan "? so yes WASMaNGT M DIARTXT or EOOtAMT 14MLAHOS ®ARAMERIZATIOI IlfVE TOQ2 WEIIaID GTMITIO1 (WC) Wetland field #: Wetland final #: Wetland uses: 1.'Are my of the following invasive or exotic species present within the watland? (H9) (Hafer to list 1 for species not listed below.) Ho yes I. If yes, indicate which species and percent cover. species a. Reed canary green f. Juncus effuses b. Purple loosestrifs a. Himalayan blackberry c. Spartina h. Orehardgrass d. Russian olive I. otbar e. Rounculus repens ii. Total percent cover by exotics: a. > 50Z b. 10 -50Z e. < 10Z or dominated by native plant comity 2. Is there visible evidence of hydrologic alterations to the wetland? (H) no yea i. If yes, indicate type (circle all that apply): a. dredging e. drainage ditebes /diversioms b. damming f. blotted outlets /inlets C. diking g. other d. roads II. Indicate the extent of impact due to hydrologic alterations. a. extensive (major change in hydrology. wetland effectively drained) b. moderate (moderate change in hydrology) c. minimal (no visible change in bydrology. or wetlamad stabilised) d. unknown 3. Are there other apparent impacts to the wetland from bosom use? ■o Ten I. If yes, indicate type (circle all that apply): a. logging e. peat extraction b. grasing f, crop production t. litter a. structures d. filling h. recreational owsruse 1. other Ii. If yes, what is the extent of combined impact(s) to the wetland? a. extensive impact ( >50Z of wetlsod impacted) b. moderate impact (25 -501 of wetland impacted) c. nlmfml impact (<25Z of wetland impacted) 4. If yes to #2 and /or #3, indicate the approximate timing of the alteration or impact. a. 103 years b. 1 -3 years s. ongoing to <1 year d. undetesined S. What is the type of surrounding land -use within 200 feet of the wetland? (NW) i. M a. forest- eoercial/ harvested b. forest -uncut c. shrub d. agricultural-caltivated e. agricultural - grazed f. cas•ercial/industrial S. residential h. road 1. saris• J. protected conservation or natural area ii. What is the average density of commercial or residential structures within 200 feet of the wetland? a. high density ( >1 building per 2 acres) b. nsdium density (1:2 to 1:10) c. low density (?1:10) 6. Is them evidence of my pollution or sediment inputs to the outland which would affect the water quality of the wetland? (i.e. culverts, agricultural practices, road r=rvff. logging. etc. Refer to #4 above to detesine probable pollution or sedimout inputs.) M) so Yes a. m known inputs b. undetermined c. probable inputs: d. visible inputs: 7. Does the wetland have a buffer anywhere alcan its perimeter? (RV) •o you i. If yes, which types of buffer are present and what percentage of the wetlands edge is represented by each type? (Note: total abould add to IOOZ) Z width a. laws. grased/cultivated field Z feet b. herbaceous or uncultivated field Z feet b, shrub, grassland Z feet c, forested Z feet d. other Z feet e. none i feet MOSIN i0R DZPARBM CF NOMM 1Ma M CSARACTMZAT= INVINO M MIM Tam Wetland field I: Wetland final f• Wetland naa: 1. Indicate which of the following best describes the presence of open water in the wetland. (Rote: oniy indicate if open water is >in acre or >lOZ of the wetland.) a. no open water b. seasonal open water c. permanent open water Z. Which of the following best represents the interspersion Ober and distribution) of wetland classes (includins open water) within the wetland? (Rote: only indicate wetland classes that are >1/2 acre or >101 of the wetland.) CR A) 8TM�LE l�Aa CQ�i.S 3. Which of the following best represents the shape of the wetland else? (R/A) 4. .�..�' SUME arrym ITZ cmaum 4. Does the wetland have way of the following habitat features? (Circle all that apply) so Yes If yes. circle all that apply: a. mass b. fallen loss C. perches, stature trees d. islands e. beaver lodges or current evidence of was by beavesw f. raptor nest within 300 feet S. baron rookery within 300 feet S. Is the wetland a part of a greenbelt corridor which includes other wetlands or other water bodies? so yes If yes, indicate which of the following best describes the corridor: a. corrects to a riparian corridor with other wetlands within .23 mile; b. connects to corridor >100 font wide with dsae forest or shrub cover; c. connects to narrow corridor <100 feet wide with dose cover; d. connects to a corridor >100 feet wide with barbecias or sparse cover; a. connects to a corridor <100 fast wide with berbecioss cover. 7. Using Cowardin classification. indicate the wtland types found in the wetland. (Note: indicate only those wetland classes that are >1/2 acre or >10Z of the wetland.) L 2. 8. 4. 5. 6. 8. Doss the wetland include any of the following wetland communities which are provide irreplaceable ecological functions and which are undisturbed with c25Z invasive /exotic species! a. sphagnum bog or fen w/ at least 1/2 acre of contiguous peat b. estuarine wetland >1 acre d. mature forested wetland (dominant trees are >80 years old or dominant trees are 50 -80 fears old and with high structural diversity of trees, shrubs, and herbacious vegetation. Other notes: WIeR8lwG7GS DOWAZDZZr DF DOM O T WhrLAXDB (S62ACrEtIZdrIQ IDVENrCRr STURM = FUTUMS (H) Vatlana field i• Wietlad lival #- Watlaua name: 1. Indicate the general storage capacity and depth of the wetland basin. a. wetland is ■ moderate to deep depression b. wetland is in a slight depression C. wetland is generally flat with no depression 2. Indicate which of the following best represents the hydrologic connectivity of the wetland.(HY) a. wetland is continuous or connected to permanent stream with fish; b. wetland is continuous or erected to marine or estuarine system; C. wetland is continuous or connected to a seasonal strea without fish; d. wetland is continuous or connected to open freshwater "at=; e. wetland is isolated (there is no surface water connection via channel or flooding). 3. Does the wetland have a visible inlet or surface water source? ■o you I! yes, indicate type: a. seep or spring b. river or strems c. culvert or drainage pipe d. ditch a. other (describe) f. undetermined 4. Does the wetland have a visible outlet? 10 r.s I! yes. indicate type: a. river or stream b. culvert or drainage pipe c. ditch d. undetermined 5. Which of the following best describes the water mm t through the wetland? a. no visible movement or slow, movement b. channel flaw C. fast movement d. moderate movement e. undetermined 6. Which of the following best describes the density of emergent or woody wetland vegetation? Indicate which type. (HY) Emergent Wioodv 1. a. little or sparse vegetative cover b. moderate vegetative cover a. dense vegetative cover 7. Which of the following best represents the density of vegetative cover is the wetland? a. t30Z b. 30-752 e. >75Z 8. What is the average slope of the area within 200 feat of this wetlandT a. steep (> 8Z) b, moderate (3 -8Z) c. lau (<3Z) 9. Using geologic asps, soils information. and topographic information, does there appear to be a confining ]Ayer such as hardpan. bedrock. etc. below the wetland? so Yes Describe source(s) of information: 10. Is the wetland upstream, adjacent, or within the floodplain of any habitat areas such as ceonecting waters for fish habitat, estuarine or other type of wetland, or other areas dependent on base flow? so Yes L. If yes, identify habitat type: ii. Indicate how the wetland praridos base flow support. a. hydrologic connectivity b. adjacent c. within the floodplains d. upstream a. unknown 11. Does the stream uhich supports the habitat area (identified above) have water flaw daring the late summer months? (Do not include streams or rivers that are fed by glacial melt.) so Yes We.E03GTOS DEPA4II4T ar ROMON CBASALTERIZATIa INVJXTOB? CULTURAL VALMM (C) Wetland field #: Wetland final Wetland norms: I. Indicate the types of access to/withia the wetland. To wetland Within wetland a. pedestrian trail b. road c, boatable access 2. Can any distant scenic vistas or nearby l.andforms such es mountains. offshore islands. open water. cliffs, canyons, or valleys be seen from the wetland? NO Ten If yen, describe: 3. What is the proximity in miles from the wetland to the following areas? <.25 hr. .25 - .5 hr. >.5 hr a, nearest school/university b. nearest nature center c, nearest urban center d. nearest park 4. Is the wetland currently being used for passive recreational activities such as swimming. fishing, birdwatching, etc. at the watland? so ?es S. Is the wetland currently being used for education and/or research? so Ies If yes, describe: 6. Is the wetland adjacent to an established conservation area or park? so you 7. If the wetland is adjacent to soother water body. which of the following best describes the amount of fetch in the adjacent water body? a. little or no fetch b. moderate fetch c. long fetch S. If the wetland is adjacent to a water body with a moderate to long fetch, which of the following best describes the density of the vegetation? a. sparse grass /forbs or no vegetation b. sparse woody vegetation or dense herb vegetation c. dens e woody vegetation 9. If the wetland is adjacent to a tidally influenced water body, which of the following best describes the upland area? (Include each appropriate category) a. no development d. 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S« � .. . . ct � « � » ■ » . � � APPENDIX C BASIC IDENTIFICATION AND BOUNDARY DELINEATION METHOD FOR WETLANDS FIELD INVENTORIES D 0 WETLAND INVENTORY GRANT REQUIREMENTS PHASE II:� BASIC IDENTIFICATION AND BOUNDARY DELINEATION METHOD FOR WETLANDS FIELD INVENTORIES INTRODUCTION: The following document describes a basic method for identifying wetlands and delineating their approximate boundaries in the field for wetland inventory purposes. It is divided into a site reconnaissance procedure and site determination procedure, the later including vegetation /hydrology evaluation and in "uncertain" situations, soils evaluation (see the "uncertain" conditions evaluation on page six of this document for a description of these situations). This method is not intended to be used for jurisdictional delineations. It is intended for inventory applications only. Unlike the jurisdictional method, which requires a determination of the presence of three wetland parameters: hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and hydrology, the inventory method relies heavily on the assessment of wetland vegetation and obvious hydric indicators (those observed without digging a soil pit). Assessing the presence of hydric soils is not required for positive wetland field identification during inventories unless "uncertain" conditions are present. When uncertain conditions exist, then soils must be evaluated in order to make a wetland determination. Users of the basic method must be familiar with the "Federal Method for Identifying and Delineating Jurisdictional Wetlands" (Federal Interagency Committee for Wetland Delineation, 1989) (the federal method) as the basic uses concepts, procedures and descriptions from the federal manual. Some of the "uncertain" conditions described in the basic method are similar to those termed "disturbed" or "problem" areas in the federal method. The federal method identifies problem and disturbed areas by the absence of one of the three wetland parameters.. Because the basic method does not always assess the presence of all three, this can't be directly applied to inventories. The basic method presumes that an office (paper) inventory has been completed for the inventory area using the National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps, hydric soils map units from soil surveys, aerial photo interpretation, and a map (like the USGS topographic maps) that provide topographic contours. The paper inventory should result in orthophoto reconnaissance maps on which possible wetland areas identified during the paper inventory are mapped. See Appendix A for a discussion of reconnaissance maps. You can map directly on the orthophoto. Likewise, you can map on a mylar overlay to preserve the orthophoto for final mapping in the field for clarity during any subsequent boundary transfer to final maps. The paper inventory can be completed for the full area to be inventoried well in advance of field work or in portions or blocks of the whole, previous to investigating those blocks in the field. Preparations for field inventory work, including reconnaissance map production, are described in detail in "A Guide To Conducting Wetlands Inventories ", available from the Department of Ecology. Note that a few of the recommendations in the Guide have been updated in this document. SITE RECONNAISSANCE PROCEDURE 1. At the site, review existing information on the reconnaissance map and aerial photos (which should be used to supplement the orthophoto reconnaissance map in the field). 2. Become familiar with prominent wetland features and access points. Take advantage of access by road, railroad, trail crossings, or stream /river crossings. 3. Divide the suspected wetland area into inventory units by noting changes in vegetation type, height, and tone and texture on aerial photo. Inventory units are similar to the federal method's vegetation units, however, inventory units may include areas that normally are not vegetated. For inventory purposes (a broad brush approach) -the units, in most cases, should generally reflect the USFWS classification system at the class level (Cowardin et al, 1979)0 not vegetation communities as in the federal method. For example, palustrine scrub /shrub (SS), emergent (EM), open water (OW), forested (FO) , aquatic bed (AB) , etc. would be inventory units. The units noted during the reconnaissance procedure may need to be refined during field examination. 4. Determine if an 'uncertain condition(s) may exist. Areas that seem uncertain and will require soils examination should be in separate inventory units distinct from the class in which they occur. 5. Walk through the site and /or within viewing distance with binoculars. Visually confirm reconnaissance map. . 2 visually scan the area the naked eye and /or features displayed on the 6a. Confirm if uncertain conditions noted previously are present. If so, note whether they are a result of human activity and represent "significant" changes to vegetation,- soils, and hydrology in any of the inventory units. Significant means that an act or event may have resulted in a change to the extent that the area may no longer be a wetland. NOTE: In some cases, you must complete vegetation analysis for the unit to determine if uncertain conditions are present. 6b. For each unit that doesn't have uncertain conditions, complete the vegetation /hydrology evaluation below. 6c. For any unit(s) that do have uncertain conditions, complete the soils evaluation for each, in addition to the vegetation /hydrology evaluation. FIELD DETERMINATION Vegetation /Hydrology Evaluation 1. Collect the data listed below for each unit at observation areas which best reflects the vegetation characteristics or conditions of the entire unit. Record observations /data on field data form. Your observations should reflect the present conditions in the season of the site visit. However, if you have evidence that another condition occurs in another season which would alter your description of the wetland, make note of your prediction on the data form. For example, you observe an open water area in April but on the aerial photo the unit appears to be emergent in August when the photo was taken. Data collection includes: a. Dominant plant species by strata; tree, shrub and herb layers (see Appendix C for determination.of dominance); b. - Indicator status of each species; C. Estimate of percent relative cover of the dominant species or; d. The percent of the dominant species that are facultative or wetter. 3 Note: If 50% of the dominant species are faculative or wetter, hydrophytic vegetation is present. e. Obvious hydrology indicators f. USFWS Cowardin Class la. If the wetland is large, parts are difficult to access, or time limitations are prohibitive,w observe accessible units as described above and- use them as representative units. Relate observations to similar units identified on the reconnaissance map. If necessary, identify field indicators from vantage points using binoculars and photo interpretation. As a last resort, use photo interpretation to determine presence of indicators. Use your knowledge of the wetlands in the vicinity during binocular and photo interpretations. Note on the data form what type of observation was completed for each inventory unit. Indicate on the wetlands reconnaissance map the location of observation points. 1b. If the portions of the wetland are complex, either large with numerous communities, or a complicated interspersion or mosaic of vegetation types, combine these areas to form one large unit by class and indicate that this unit represents a composite or mosaic of vegetation types. 2. Determine whether obvious hydrology field indicators are present as described on pages 16 through IS of the federal method (summarized in Appendix D). For inventory purposes, obvious field indicators are those you can observe without digging a soils pit. If wetland hydrology indicators are not observed or are inconclusive, hydrophytic vegetation is present, and an uncertain condition is not present, assume wetland hydrology is positive for the unit. Note the assumption on the data form. 3. Make any further adjustments if needed to inventory units mapped during the site reconnaissance. During the field determination, you may find a particular inventory unit must be divided into more units because understory vegetation indicates that the unit may have portions that are wetland and others that 4 are non - wetland. For example, this is highly probable in forested systems because the canopy, often consisting of species that grow commonly in both wetland and non- wetland conditions, obscures the more diagnostic understory vegetation. 4. Determine if the inventory units are wetland: 4a. If indicators of wetland hydrology are confirmed, hydrophytic vegetation is present, and uncertain conditions are not present, consider the inventory unit (and equivalent units if the unit is a representative) wetland. 4b. If wetland hydrology field indicators are not observed or are inconclusive, a uncertain condition is not present, and hydrophytic vegetation is present, assume hydrology is present in the unit and consider the unit (and equivalent units if the unit is a representative) as wetland; 4c. If wetland hydrology field indicators are present, and hydrophytic plants are not, consider this an uncertain condition and follow the procedure for transitional conditions unless the unit is normally an unvegetated flat. 4d. If wetland hydrology indicators and hydrophytic vegetation are not present, and a problem or disturbed condition does not exist, consider the unit upland; 4e. If uncertain conditions are present, proceed with soils examination in the following uncertain conditions evaluation; 5. When all vegetation units have been investigated: 5a. Number or code each unit to correspond to the field data form eg. EM 1, EM 2 (perhaps was an uncertain portion of an EM unit), SS. 5b. Exclude inventory units that are non - wetland and use the outer boundaries of the wetland units as the approximate boundary of the wetland. 6. For some of the uncertain units, more time or expertise may be needed to make a wetland determination than is usually available for wetland. inventories. If a determination cannot be quickly made, the unit should be "red flagged" on reconnaissance map as well as on any final wetland 5 map to indicate a need for more careful evaluation if a project is proposed for the area. Red -flag these areas by mapping the unit boundary lines in a different color or use a different map convention. Use a unique map convention or color to indicate areas where the units and the wetland boundary were photo interpreted as well as for any boundary areas for which you have a low level of confidence. Some examples include: units where you are confident it is wetland, but investigating its outer boundary is not practical; you used binoculars. Uncertain Conditions Evaluation (Soils) Introduction: Uncertain conditions include situations where vegetation (or the lack of it) is inconclusive or confusing, or where significant changes have occurred. Significant means that an act or event may have resulted in a change to the extent that the area may no longer be wetland. Uncertain conditions include those that occur naturally as well as those resulting from human impacts. These areas are sometimes included in the "Problem Area" or "Disturbed Area" section in the Federal Manual (pp 50 -55 Disturbed Areas, pp 55 -59 Problem areas). In these cases, it is not sufficient, for inventory purposes, to rely on the presence of hydrophytic vegetation and obvious wetland hydrology to identify a unit as wetland and delineate the approximate boundary. It is necessary in these cases to determine whether hydric soils are present. Therefore, in these units continue the evaluation by examining soils. Problem and Disturbed Conditions include areas where: A. nonpersistent wetland vegetation is replaced by upland annuals or where no vegetation persists eg. seasonal wetlands, such as vernal pools; B. vegetation is dominated by facultative upland or obligate upland plants (greater than or equal to 50 %) such as some evergreen forested wetlands, or scrub - shrub (salal) but existing wetland information sources or field observations suggest the area may be wetland; C. vegetation is dominated by facultative up or upland non- diagnostic species such as pasture grasses 6 S including red top, orchard grass and quack grass, and observations suggest the area may be wetland; D. there is visible alteration in wetland hydrology such as ditching or filling and vegetation indicates that a ; conversion to upland may have been successful; E. vegetation has been removed completely or have been grazed or mowed and there is no obvious hydrologic indicator (obvious means without conducting soil analysis); F. the wetland is being actively cultivated and there is no obvious hydrologic field indicator; G. the wetland is covered exclusively by facultative species or the over story is facultative and under story has been obliterated, and there are no obvious wetland hydrology field indicators; H. the vegetation is monotypic reed canary grass or dominated by Facultative vegetation with Facultative Up herbaceous layer; I. the site consists of vegetated flats during the winter or early spring months before vegetation has emerged; J. the site is confusing or it is difficult to draw conclusions and you feel it is necessary to look beyond vegetation and obvious hydrology indicators. Evaluation: 1. Evaluate the vegetation (if vegetation is present) and hydrology for uncertain units as described in vegetation /hydrology evaluation and record on the data form. 2. Proceed with Soils evaluation: 2a. At the representative observation area in the unit, examine the soils for indications of hydric characteristics as described on pages 13 - 15 in the federal method. Use the procedure described on page 34 (step 8) of the federal method to. examine soils. These indicators and procedures are summarized in Appendix E. It is acceptable to use a soil probe to examine a soil core (See Appendix E for soil sampling procedure). You many need to conduct additional soils examinations to determine the outer boundary of some units. 7 2b. If site is dominated by facultative upland or obligate upland species, follow procedure on page 55 - 56 of the federal manual, to determine if the unit is a wetland. 2c. For buried, plowed, or scraped substrates, follow guidelines on page 52 to examine soils. Mark the location of soil examination site on the reconnaissance map. Due to time limitations often associated with wetland inventories it may be appropriate in this situation to "red flag" these areas for future detailed evaluation. 2d. Investigate sandy soils or other soils that lack field indicators of hydric soils thoroughly for the presence of hydric soil indicators. 2e. As cautioned on page 12 in the federal method, be careful when using soil survey because a soil map unit of an upland soil may have inclusions of hydric soils that were not delineated on the map or vice versa. Also, some map units may be hydric soil areas, but are not on the hydric lists because they were not given a series name at the time of mapping. Hydric soils can retain their hydric characteristics for long periods of time after changes in wetland hydrology have resulted in loss of wetland function. Compare the area in question with a nearby reference site if occurrence of relic hydric soils is suspected. Combine observations of reference site and any other available evidence, and use your best professional judgement as to the currentness of hydric soil indicators. 3. Record findings on soils data form for each uncertain unit. 4. If the unit has hydric soils, consider the unit wetland and include it in determination of approximate wetland boundary. 5. If a reference site was used in the determination, record the information on the site on the data sheet. 8