Federal Register,/ Vol. 61, No. .160 / Friday, August 16,' 1996 7 Notices
42533
de Fuca 'Strait,' Haro Strait, Boundary ,"
. : Pass; Georgia Strait, and the waters.- ''".
- surrounding the San Juan Islands. /';"' :..
'.-: I. baited: August 5, 1996..-. : . ..;.v."l- :.'.'..' £..:'
' Jeanjiie K. Dreveiiak,.' v::.-.';vV--:-A(-'.V'i.i-; /, -»:-.'
Acting 'Chief, Permits and Documentation 1- .; ...
Division; Office of Protected Resources, "^ -
National Marine Fisheries Service. :'. . ..\.\ .'.' . '
' - [FR poc.;96-20896 Filed 8-15-96; 8:45 'ami ='
" "' BILLING CODE;35i<£22-F J_'v.yi^->%./, V:' ' ': X,- "-.;.
'" P'.D; 08^2968] " ;" ;-;. - :^f^-^':\^".- ;
Marine Mammals; Scientific Research '
.Permit (P368G) '; ->./ ..''* '-/" -'~-V'-' '
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries ;N...,- -.'
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic .and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),-
Commerce. ; '.".:' ;'%;.V;--V-V '.,-,-.
ACTION : Receipt of application.' ' : 'r. V. '"T -
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given.that . .-... ,
.Jaines Harvey', Ph.D. and Jenifer Hurley;-".
Ph.D., Moss Landing Laboratory, P.O.'.v.
Box 450, Moss:Lahding, CA (95039-
0450), has- applied in due form for. a
.permit to take maxine.mammals for
'purposes of scientific research.. . ' : . .
'DATES: Written comments must be. '. . .
received on or before. September '16,:
.1996. .-:'..'. ... .-.'''.;.',. . .',.-'.-..'. ' ' ..
. ADDRESSES: The'application and-related
documents are available for review
'upon written request or by appointment
in the following of fice(s): ''-..-'
Permits Division, Office of Protected
Resources, NMFS, -1315-East-West - '
Highway,1 Room 13130, Silver Spring,
'MD 20910-(301/713-2289); and
.. Director, Southwest Region, NMFS,
501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long
. Beach GA 90802-4213; ". ... ; '. .
' .Written data 'or views," or requests for
a public hearing on this request.-should --
be submitted to the Director, Office .of -.
Protected Resources, NMFS, 1315 East-
West Highway, -Room 13130, Silver.;.- . .
Spring, MD '20910. Those individuals
requesting a hearing should set forth the
specific reasons why a hearing on this
particular request would be appropriate.
Concurrent with the publication of
this notice in .the Federal Register,
NMFS is forwarding copies of this
application to the Marine Mammal- '
Commission and its Committee of
Scientific Advisors. .
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
subject permit is requested under the
authority of the Marine Mammal
Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16
U.S.'C. 1361 ei scq.}, the Regulations
Governing the Talcing and Importing of
Marine Mammals (50 CFR pcvt 216), ths
Enc!^ugs;red Species Act oflf;73, or:
;.:v--:;:vhH (16 U.S.C.. 1551 :.; ';,--.}, and
importing, and' exporting of endangered.
. fish and wildlife (50 CFR part 222). .' '
The"applicant proposes to.obtain up ' :'
to 10 California sea lions' (Zalbphus
' califomianus).io conduct three research
projects: (1) videocamefa stud}'sea" '.'
lions will be trained to carry a ' !' "' '"
videocamera attached to a backpack and
will swim.alongside whales alloy.'ing "':
underwater recording'of whale. ''.'.';."/'"?-'>:
_ behavio.rs .(e.g., diving,' feeding and -: ' "; "
;-mating); (2) tag attachmentsea lions.'.''-
will.be used to. deliver and attach small'-
radio and TDR'tags oh the backs of large-
whales. Annually, "up. to 30 each blue-"' ;
whales (Balaeno'ptera musculusj and firi
whales.(S. physalus], 60 humpback .- I. :
' whales (Megaptera novaeangliae], 100
gray whales (Eschrichtiusrobustus), 20
; each minke whales (Balaenoptera -._.:.
acutorosirata) and sperm whales - ' ."
(Physeter'catadon), will be tagged, and .
up to lOp gray whales may be.-.- . ,'-;: rX-
' inadvertently .harassed during'research .;;
' activities; arid (3) physiological study4-\
the trained sea lions will participate in,':.1'
a study of the diving physiology of. this -
species in the open ocean. . '
Dated: August 12, 1996. ';"..'..
Jeannie Drevenak, '. ."'.. ' . :
Acting Chief, Permits and Documentation
Division, Office of Protected Resources,. .'
National Manns Fisheries Service. .,-.'.."
[FR Doc. 96-20911 Filed 8-15-96; 8:45 am]' .-
SILLIHG CODE 3510--22-F -,.-...
[i.D. 0809S8A] ' '-.,. ,>.'..;'.'; :.- ; ''-\.
' Marine Mammals; Scientific Research
Permit No. 1006 (P466C) v /-. -
AGENCY: National Marine-Fisheries.". .
' Service (NMFS), National Oceanic arid
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),.- .
Commerce..,.- . -.,-.;'; :-'. ..-.'- ".
ACTION: Issuance of permit.!. '-'..' .. /'.-
SUMMARY: -Notice is hereby given that a
permit for scientific research has been .
. issued to Mr. Scott D. Kiaiis, Edgerton''.,
Research Laboratory, New'England '..
Aquarium, Central Wharf, Boston,'
Massachusetts 021103.399.... .' '
; ADDRESSES: The permit and related ' '
documents are available for review
. upon written request or by appointment
, in the folloxving offices:
Permits Division,,Office' of Protected'
Resources, NMFS,-."1315 East-West " ,
Highway, Room 13130, Silver Spring,
MD 20S10 (301/713-2289); and ''
Director, Northeast Region, NMFS,
One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA
01930-2293 (508/281-9250).
=;U?PLEMcKTARY !h;!rORMATIQN: On May
23, 199G. notice v/as published in the
rz:\:tr:.:i Lfcr-i-lsi- (61 FR 2650?) that a
had been'subrnitted by the above-named
.applicant. The request-was to harass
harbor'porpbise in the Gulf of Maine ''.'.'
.'during the course of underwater ' '.''.
acoustic playback experiments. The 1
requested permit has been'issued under'
the authority'of the.Marine!Mammal .--'.'
Protection Actof 1972, as amended (16 -:
U.S.C.:'l'361 etseq.}, and the Regulations'
Governing the Taking and Importing'of/
.Marine"Mammals.(50 CFR.Part-216). ':';
. Dated: Augiist'9,1996^ ..' ': " ;..-.- ". ;,."' '
Williaia Wi-Windom, :''-: -;- ,...'.>.;>,
Acting Chief, Permits and Documentation -'.'': -
. Division, Office of Protected Resources, . .. '
National Marine Fisheries'Service. . ' ..' /
[FR Doc._96-20978 Filed"8-15^96; 8:45 am] -/
' BILLING.CODE 3510-22-F ' ' -. .. . ' '.'..
;. CONGRESSIONAL^UDGET-OFFICE'-:..':..
'Notice, of Trarismittai of Sequestration,''
Update Report for Fiscal Year.3997 to ''
Congress and the Office of- .-' '-.-
'Managementarid Budget '
Pursuant to Section 254(b) of the
- Balanced Budget1 and Emergency Defic t
Control Act of 1985-(2 U.S.C. 904(b)J,-
the Congressional Budget.OfGce hereby .
'report's that it has submitted its '
Sequestration Update Report for Fiscal
Year 1997 to.th'e House of-'' .' "':
Representatives, the Senate, and the .- -,
Office of Management and Budget . :''
Stajnley li. Greigg, .- .': . ..''
Director, Office of Intergovernmental
Relations/Congressional Budget Office.
[ER Doc; 96-20842 Filed 8-15-96;' 8:45 ami;.
BILLING CODE 95-0702-4,1 '".-.' ' ' - - -;'
.-DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE .. '.- V ;;.'
Department of the' Army, Corps of"-
- Engineers '- '-''--:-' -': . -:; -'-j- -/-'.- ' :,
' National-Action Pian to Develop the ;
Hydrogeomorphic Approach for .' ''-
Assessing Wetland Functions ---...
AGENCY: U.S. Army. Corps 'of Engineers', .
'" ' : "
ACTION: Notice of intent and request for
comments. . '
SUMMARY: The Corps of Engineers is
. announcing, through the' National
Action Plan, the strategy the Corps and
other Federal agencies will follow to
develop the Hydrogeomorphic
Approach for Assessing Wetland
Functions (HGM Approach). The
National Action Plan was developed by
& National Interagency Implementation
Team. Agencies representsjd on ihe
Iniplsrflcnistion 1'eani are tuo Corp:; of
-------
1 .,'.-. 'tf-xe / Vol.' St. Mu. 550
lfu«inoors, J-Uivirounvmlal ?:-olaction
Aijoncv, M.'Uiai'-J Rcr-curcc Cons%-V5tion
Sorvicn, Federal Highways __
Admiau!*>'atk>n, and the U.S. Fish and
Wtidiifo Service. The HGM Approach is
being developed primarily for use in ths
context of the Clean Water Act Section
404 regulatory program where time and
resources are often limited. This notice
provides the National Action Plan for
review and opportunity for comment.
While not required by law or' regulation,
the Corps is publishing the National ;'
Action Plan for review and comment: v-
DATES: Comments on the National- '
Action Plan must be received by ; -;;
September 16,1998: :,__;
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be '
iubmitted to the U.S. Army Corps of ..-'; .
. Engineers,ATTN:CECW-OR,HGM,,-
. Docket, 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW.,
'' Washington, DC'203i4rlOOtf. or faxed to- .
(202)761-5096.; .;;;.../ ."' ..';.';V;.-. :',V-
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT::.Msr->
, Colleen'Charles,Co'rps'pfEngineers;at;;
(202) 761-0199; Ms. Sandra Byrd-j-;- ;,_, ..-
Hughes, Natural Resource Conservation
' Service, at (202) 690-3501; Mr. Thomas
Kelsch, Environmental Protection . '.-.::
Agency, at (202) 260r-8795; Mr, Paul -.;.-.,
1 Garrett, Federal Highways' ' .-. - ,-'->
' Administration, at (202) 366-2067; and -
Mr. Donald MacLean, Fish and Wildlife -,
Service, at (703) 338-22pl.. - ,.'.',
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ,Ths... i.' .-
' Clinton Administration's Wetlands Plan
addressed'the need for improvemeijt of
, wetlands assessment techniques to.,' -, .--.-
. allow forbetter,consideration of :.:;.".x, '
. wetlands functions'inipermit-decisions.';,
TheHGM Approaches, a wetland V.: , .;,
assessment procedure that will increase
the accuracy of wetland function. ;; . ;
. assessments, allqw.;for repucability,,and..
reduce' the ambunt'of time required to . .
'' conduct a wetland function assessment..
. The HGM Approach is based on three.....;;
' - fundamental factors that influence how;:;
. wetlands function: positipn'in the ;--.--
, landscape (geomorphic"setting), .water ''
source (hydrology), and the-flow_.and..;: \
fluctuation of the water .once in the../^ ;'
wetland'(hydrbdynamics). The' HGM.', ':
/Approach first classifies wetlands .based
on their differences'in functioning;'-;'''_' '
' second it defines functions that each.-;'.
'class of wetlands performs','and third it:1-
' .-uses reference to establish the range.pf..^'
' f functioning of .the wetland. Regional,-..; -.., f
assessment models are' developed based- .
on the-func.tional profile that describes-., i
' .the physical,.biological,.and chemical;.'.-;
' characteristics'of a regional.wetland....V;
' ^'subclass, '£he goal of the National...; l+:~--4
.. '^Action Plan is to develop, over the next-1'
' ', two yearSj'sufficient! assessment models, -.
. : to address 80 percent of the Section. 404, -:
: "permit workload requiring wetlandr',,.:..
fuiic.'doii ssatfsuine-iifc-. To achieve thus
"oaL ar>proxhTia(.ely 25-30 regional
subcbss inodsls v.'.Ul bo rsquirrsd 'r.o bs
disvolopad. Given tlia mag/iitsida of tha
cfforl, and the noed for interdisciplinary
.expsrlisa, dovclopmsnt of ihra KGivI
Aooroacli will require participation
from several Federal, State, Tribal xad
local agencies, academia, and die
private sector..This involvement will
occur at all stages of model
development:.. ..' \
Rob art W. Burkhardt, -. . ; .
Assistant Chief, Operations, Construction,
and Readiness Division, Directorate of Civil
Works..-
National Action Plan To Develop the . -
Hydrogepmorphic Approach for Assessing
Wetland Functions : ... ' '' ' ' '." -'
. I. Executive Summary ' ''.""'
,'H. Overview of Hydrpgeomorphic Approach
' :'. (HGM Approach); .''.: '' ;'.'' '- ''. - - ': -
IIL Bevelopment..Strategies of the HGM ,.
' .'-"Approach--'.'.,'.. ,;."-...: ::'.,'..-'.';'.. ."-
: V A. Goals and Objectives for Development .
'-" B. Development of the'HGM Approach .. .
C.'Agency Roles and Coordination' ' .
, 1: National Interagency Implementation-
Team '' '"'. '''''".'
2/Regional Assessment Teams (A-Teams)
3. \VES as Technical Support Center
"4. Coordination, with State, Tribal and local
agencies, academia and the private sector
D. Quality Control for Model Development
'. ' E. Training and Outreach ' '-
' ' i;-Training - ~ ..-'' ' ;''
2. Outreach'.. '-.'.''
- F. Policy Statement-: ';,-.:
IV. HGM Documents ..' .',.-. ' . -.
'" A. HGM CIassification_of Wetlands
V-B. Procedural .Document . '-. '-..;.. .-'
' C. Guidance for Establishing Reference
Wetlands. .*-'"'' '-..'.''' ' "-.
D. National Guidebooks ' . .
' E. Regional Guidebooks ..'".". ''': '.
. i. Operational Draft Guidebook; .' -
2. Final Regional Guidebook "
V.. Application of HGM Approach ..-:: ''.. - -
VI. Schedule -.- -..' ."...:-.- '..'''. '
'A.Phase IPilot Projects in 1995. .
' B. Phase IIPriorities for 1996 to'1998 ; '.
- C. Phase HIModel Development Beyond
,1998.::'..;.- .-.-'' V; -. ..;.''.!:\'-'-? ' '.'.'
.VII. Funding ', _.,,- . _ - '''' ,' :
' References .,, '-. :'. .. , . : ."
-' Appendix-^-pefinition of Terms ;' ;
National.Action Plan to Develop the .-
Hydrogebmorphic Approach for. .
Assessing.Wetland Functions
I. .Executive Summary;;"- '._;;"': '.;" .
' The National Action Plan to Develop..
' the Hydrogeomorphic.Approach for ../. .,
Assessing Wetland-Functions (Action,; ; .
Plan) identifies the strategy the Corps
and other.Federal.agencies.will follow,. .;
to develop this hew,wetlands:fuiiction., v
"assessment methodology .The' '.,- -. -.:-
HydfogWmbrphic Approach, for . ; .
-Assessing'Wetland Functions'(HGM ; .
: approach) is a procedure for measuring
b''::ic,
to satisfy &a i^cb-^icnl and .
o''[i:.-'i'.'i.:r-n:;itic requifemotits of lint Chan
W".tor Act Section 404 regulatory
nro'.'Kiin wbsre timo and resourcos arc
oi'i'.cii limitnd. Information obtained from
application of ths HGM Approach can
assist project proponents'and regulators
in assessing the level of environmental
impact of a proposed project, in :
determining the appropriate level of
regulatory review, and in assessing
compensatory mitigation required for
offsetting environmental impacts.The
hierarchical and modular nature of the
procedure make it adaptable to a variety
' of other regulatory, planning,
'management, and educational situations
where information on wetland functions
is needed.' ' .; ' ;"' '
The HGM Approach is different from-'.
other assessment procedures in that it / '- .
first classifies wetlands based ori:their '...
differences in functioning, second it; '';-
defines functions that each-class, of' :' ;
wetlands performs, and third it uses . ' -
"reference" tp.establish the range of- : ' ''
functioning of the wetland. Functional:
classification narrows the focus^of: '.
attention to tiis functions a particular.' '
wetland type is most likely to perform:
and to the ecological characteristics that . .;
control these functions. This increases,
the accuracy of the assessment; allows -.
for replicability, and reduces the - ,
' amount of time needed to conduct'the ;
assessment. Tha approach also utilizes
"reference wetlands'; as the means for
'. establishing the scale-,.or iridex.-agaiiist'.i
which other wetlands of the same type
'' in a particular" gepgraphic.area can.be -.
.compared to determine their functional
capacity. Reference v/etlands are ;. ":-,.. '
selected to reflect the range, of ;'::.;-.;.
'conditions in a particular geographic '
.area that a particular wetland type-may ;,.
exhibit, from, relatively undisturbed, to ;;'.
highly degraded.,-.:,-. V-L^/v'.;'' ' ' ..
'' ' Under the HGM Approach national .-,;,-
guidebooks are being developed for each
' of the'major, classes of wetlands:.., -.'....
' riverine, depressional, slope,' flats:, /;.
(mineral soil and organic soil),.and'.'. -
fringe (estuarine-andlacustrine). The^ .:.
national guidebooks provide standard-
templates upon which models for. - ' -,.'
.. regional guidebooks are developed for ''
" specific wetland subclasses. Regional' ::. '-
guidebooks include assessment models
for each regional wetland subclass as..;;
well-as subclass'descriptions; functional
profiles; and-implementation methods. <:
Interdisciplinary teams of.wetland . '- :.; -
.specialists from Federal, State; and local
'agencies as well as 'the private sector
and academia,,will coordinate the -.
development of assessment models for
each,regional-guidebook..-To ensure the
-------
Federal, .Register /Vol. 61. .No. 160 / Friday, August 16,
42585
- . '. .
technicaly
region
'' beina'provided by the U.S.' Army . . program where time and resources are
sd to'- Engineer WaterWays Experiment Station; - pften'.lim'ited. However the hierarchical _
_v.'.,._-r- '"^v TO'facilitate 'development of the - and'modular nature of the procedure -
ial guidebooks; WES, in':" V ''' make it adaptable'to a variety of.other '
-_..?;" ,.-,,-<.i, ^v^PorUral and - 'regulatory, planning, management, and.
educational situations requiring the ... '
. assessment of wetland functions.- '.; '
The HGM Approach is different from
other assessment procedures in.that.it .
first classifies wetlands based on their ...
d.llgvJ'>^^v'Jr...7.. . -A - - 1
wetland experts from Federal, oiaic, . , 0.^5^^^ g^,..~-~-il":^~j i A
Tribal and local agencies.'academia' and"-: conjunction with other federal ana
-/SriVate sector Each regional. .^:,Y;, . State agencies and other wetland ,
mrfdSk will be 'published initially as '" experts..has.deyeloped, and will..
L 'operational drkft.for a two year ?:&.,;.; continue to develop,.the necessary
' period that-willprbvide agencies',^,-,;.;'. \ support'documents technical.- .
%3i^&&^^^^$g%gs$.
j ''' ' '-'d" comments''>-'':'":'-'' development of regional guidebooks to ..-
asParesult :qf applicatio^'-ensure consistency'and accuracy in'-^
-»i Drafts'will be'---'"'.'-'' these efforts.-- ;.-' .-:- ; . --' '':!' -:'"
.pnal drarts wm.oe...,,,...., ,... ^ supplemen1;: development of,the. ,;
'"~* t Appr6'ach,'the"F.ederal agencies.... -
'je preparing a policy statement in
ear future to clarify, the application
^.L.^jHGM Approach within the : ,:^- '
Section 404 regulatory program. For .. -.
-i 'llioL (JldooJ-J-tco ,vv^*^fcij_i.'wfc-j «**»*.- 7 . --.-
':-....:-' differences'in.functioning, second it.'..;.-;;
.
, ..
-- performs, and third it uses: - ...
e final publication'The
r 1 PoioSl euidebooks ° wiU be' -.i-
final regional guiaeooojss wm.ye.. f
reyiewed.and revised on. an as needed-
YV G UJ.GLJLX VJ.^ jjxrfAiv^*.***."i
"reference"- to .establish the range i
.functioning of the_ wetland. HGM is a
hierarchical classification with five_ :
major hydrogeomorphic wetland _..-
classes. These classes are: riverine, ..
depressional, slope, flats (organic soil ...
and mineral soil),-and fringe (estuarine..;
level ot environmental impact 01 a. ...
"because of.thetime and effortneeded'toX ^ sed project/t c p^e project.....;:,- g^ZToS wetS
develop regional guidebooks These,.;--:;-.- *he^ves, to identify measures that;.;;. f^^; setting)
efforts will be-prioritized so.tJaat at the ;;; ,Wouli£iiumize environmental .r-;--, -,: - &IOCT S the
end of Phase II there are a sufficient-;;: --'- - - ---"-- - -^-.-:---> ' inyaroiogyj,.diiu mo
address 80 percent of the . .
permit workload requiring a functional -
assessment. Given limited agency . :
: resources', it is clear that such an .-.;".';.
- undertaking'vall require the". - - -
-coordinated participation of other ' " ' :''
Federal/State; Tribal, 'and local ' . .
a"ericies,"as well as individuals from ' ;
academia, and the private sector.' State _
agencies and others who choose-to
initiate development''of assessment'
models oh tieir own v.dll'be encouraged
to coordinate with the. Federal agencies '
' to ensure quality control in model '-.! '
development and the maximum ".-; '''
applicability'of the product by State,' '
Federal,'and local agencies.' " ' ; '
-Techhical.'s.uppprt for the:
' impact's, to determine mitigation
requirements', and to establish'standards ..
. for measuring mitigation success. The .\ .
policy statement will indicate the. ; ;..,
manner in which such applications can.
provide greater certainty and ... -. ... ...
consistency withiri the. decision making
process.
no\v v/euiiuus iuiu,Liuu.. ; ;,: ..
if the wetland in the landscape .
ing), water source .-:.-..»'.'
the floxy and ''.. .-;.:' -, '
,_ of the water once in'the. ..'.-'v.
wetland (hydrodynamics). Within a -.''
specific geographic area -wetland classes .
can-be furtlier divided into regional ..;.'.,.-,
subclasses (e.g.., vernal pools in _:_ . -; :
California; prairie potholes in the. ' ..; -'"
northern'plains states, and pine - ';
flatwoods in the southeastern U.S.). - .-
. Classifying wetlands based on how they r;
function narrmvs the focus of attention
to a-sp'ecific type or subclass of. wetland',.
the.functions"that wetlands withiri the. - -.
' subclass, are most likely to perform, and-
the landscape and ecosystem factors
II. Overview of HGM Approach
The Hydrogeomorphic.Approach to
Assessing Wetland Functions (HGM
Approach), developed by .scientists at
'the'U.S.'Army Engineer Waterways '
Experiment Station''(WES),'i§ a ' .. . >-"= «"»«."~-r~ ----.:jw" . , , .. -
procedure for measuring the capacity.of.. ' that are most hkelv-to mfluenceho^ , .
a wetland to perform functions. The v . -.wetlands in the subclass function, (bee-.-
procedure was. designed to satisfy the 'Table 1.) This increases the accuracy ot
technical and programmatic" /. -- ' . ' V. the assessment, allows or rephcabihty, .
requirements of the Clean Water Act'" :, and reduces the amount of time needed ,
Section.404 (Section'404);regulatory -\l. .Kconduct-the assessment^'--.' .-..--'
'"' TABLE 1 '-HYDROGEOMORPH1C-.CLASSES ;OF WETLANDS ShibwiNG ASSOCIATED DOMINANT WATER SOURCES, ': -. ,, -
,.: . "-:;.- .';:'- --':.-';:":-:'-- HYDRODYNAMICS, AND EXAMPLE'S OF SUBCLASSES. ''.- -._;.- :-.: . : : ; "-' ;
Hydrogeomorphic class
. Depressional
Flats (mineral soil) .'.
Flats (organic soil) ........
Fringe (Estuarins)
Fringe (Lacustrine) :
Dominant v/ater source
Overbank flow from channel-
Return flow from groundwaiei
arid interflow.
Return fiovv from ground'.vs'ier
' Precipitation ..'.....-......:
Precipilatioh :
Overbank
-------
/ Vo!. i;1
100
Ths flCKI Ap^.-o.-ch includes n
aio and an application
;,!ii!»';. The dovalcpmcnt phase is
r-'r.'dcd out by aa iniordisciplinary team
df wetland experts (A-f?arn) and begins
v/hU she classification of wetlands into
it;t;ii)oul subclasses. Ths A-team then
develops a functional profile dial
tl«:;H:rihes the physical, chemical, and
biological characteristics (wetland .
functions) of the regional subclass,
fdunlifies which functions are most
libily to be performed, and discusses
didurent ecosystem and landscape
attributes that influence each function.-"
Tim functional profile is based on the
experience and expertise of the A-team
and information from reference- '
v/ctlands. Reference, wetlands are ' ;
selected from a reference domain (or 'a ,.'.
defined geographic area) and represent -
sites that'exhibit'a range of variation-
within a'particular wetland type -"-
including sites that have been" degraded/
disturbed as well as those sites which
have had little disturbance. The A-team
next develops and calibrates assessment
models. These models define the , .
relationship Taetween attributes of the
wetland ecosystem and surrounding .
landscape and the capacity of a wetland
to perform a function. The assessment
model Jesuits in a functional index (0
1), which estimates the capacity of a
wetland to perform a function relative to
other wetlands from the same regional
, subclass in the reference domain. The.
standard of comparison used to scale . .
functional indices are reference. .
standards, or the conditions under- .
. which the highest, sustainable level of
function, is achieved across the, suite of .;
functions performed by wetlands in a . .
regional subclass.
The application phase of the HGM
Approach can be used to assess wetland
functions in the context of a Section 404
permit application review as well as in
the context of a planning or .'- : .'...!.
management project. Regulators can' use
this procedure to rapidly and accurately
determine the level of environmental -
, impacts of proposed projects, compare
project alternatives, identify measures -
that would minimize environmental '
impacts, determine mitigation . ' '
requirements, and establish criteria for
measuring mitigation success. As such,'
the procedure will be helpful in '. ;, : '
providing greater certainty, reduced .
permit review times and more rapid
decision' making. , ' ..'.". . .''..-.
The HGM Approach is designed to
* focus 'on wetland functions and not to .
address values. Values represent the ..
, . significance of wetland functions to
society or individuals. The functional
indices' developed under this approach
cannot be used to assign values to
v.'allaad functions in terms of economic
or other v.-ilue uuila r.s required by the
public hi'.srest mview process sinf:o
values often reflect local priorities and
may reflect policy issues beyond the
scope of- this method. Local priorities
can also change over time and,
therefore, must often be redefined at
different periods of time. Information
provided by the HGM;Approach can .'.._.
serve as the basis for establishing public-
values,, and thus aid in the shaping of
national and regional management
policies. ..-'. '
III. Development Strategies of the HGM
'Approach- ',' '...,.-.'.'
A.'Goals and Objectives for.. .. - - :
Development'-'i'-'-.. -:'-../-.:'. ' - ' '
The primary'goal for the development
_ of the HGM Approach is' to have 'a ..-'. :'
standardized'assessment methodology ,'.
that can be applied consistently in a .'.'";'
diversity'of wetland, types throughout-'
the United States, uses the best available
technical information,'.arid maintains '',_
compatibility with the time and . '
resource framework of the Section 404
Regulatory Program. The objective is to .'
develop,' during the next two years,'
sufficient' assessment models to address
80 percent of the Section 404 permit
work load requiring functional
assessments. The Section 404 permit
work load requiring functional
assessments will generally be the
.. individual and general permits _ .' .
' .requiring compensatory mitigation..-' ..
To achieve this goal the Corps arid '
other Federal agencies have formed, a .'
National, Interagency Implementation .
Team (Implementation Team). The
Implementation Team is responsible for
preparing a National Action Plan' to ': .
Develop the.HGM Approach'for . .'' .' !:
Assessing Wetland Functions (Action'".;
Plan). The Action Plan identifies the
sfrategy-the Federal agencies will follow
..'in developing this new assessment .,-. ..-<'
. methodology to meet the objective of -
addressing 80 percent of the Section 404
regulatory permit workload requiring .':.
.- functional assessments.1-'. .'- ..'..-.,
To-achieve this objective the regional
' subclass models and regional '. :.
guidebooks will: ;;..--.' ..
(1) Be developed in a consistent and
'. coordinated.manner to.facilitate state ...
'' and federal interagency agreement, on
; applications of.the HGM approach. This
; will require involving-experts from ;_';_;
academia arid the private sector, as well
. as Federal,-State, Tribal and-local '.--^...
.' agencies at all-stages and levels of ' '-
'-review;'":-:.-"": :''- V-.: i:'V '"' ':
-(2) Utilize the best scientific.-
information in the development, of each
model; ., -.".-' "-"-"
(3) Hsvelop a:;3css;n3nt model? b'lsod
Oil v;;:tior.;:l -and regional priovilio.; i\u-
ths Rstgulatory program;
(4) I'/iako ths most efficient use of -
limited agc-incy resources; and
(5) Ensure private sector involvetnsnt
at all stages and levels of development.
B. Development of the HGM Approach
Development of the HGM'Approach is
' a multi-step procedure and will require ''
the participation by several Federal, ' .
State, Tribal and local.'agencies, as well -
as experts from academia and the
private sector. This participation will.-'-.
occur at all stages of the model .: -.
development process starting with
initial model development through '
model calibration, verification, and
validation of the revised model. .;"£;
. .The first step of this multi-step' '.-.
procedure was toJdentify the priority>:i-
for model development of wetland....-..;.
. subclasses through surveys of Corps'! i^-
district officesI-The next step is to .:.. ;-:-
establish regional assessment teams (A-
teams) from participating agency '-,-.,.'.-. .
specialists that are trained in the HGM.: -::-;
classification and approach. The A:.'-p-- . '
teams will identify and prioritize : -.-;. .-
regional w.etland subclasses and define-
tlie reference domain. ';-.-.' '. ' -, ,'. ''
Once the regional subclasses and : '-
reference domain have been identified,
assessment models foe wetland' .:-.....
functions will.be drafted based On a. ...
review of ttie literature and revie\v of.,-'.; - '
existing models. Model development... -. .".
will include identification of reference..'. ^;.
' wetland sites, functions for each./ -,.; - -.. ,
wetland subclass, .variables for.each-.-- ' ':'
'. function, and development of functional ,.
indices. The draft models will then.go .; ^. ,.
through an' interdisciplinary peer review, . -
in a.technical,workshop format to' .;j;
". provide individuals with expertise on .
the hydrology, soils, vegetation and ; ...' '.
.: wildlife use of each'regional subclass an.' .-
opportunity to critique the-draft.;-.- -'
;. assessment model..The workshop '-.'
participants will include wetland .. .- .-';
''experts from Federal^State,.Tribal, and '
.. local agencies and individuals from.;;.-.
. academia and the private sector and 'will .
be an integral part of.model; ''.' " : '
.development. At the workshop the ..'; ' ''
model will be critiqued and revised as ;; . .
needed to reflect recommendations from:.
... the workshop p'ariicipants. After model- , -.-.
review arid revision the draft model will
..be calibrated with data collected by the :;'. .-
" ' A-team,from reference wetland sites and .!, '
',] field tested for accuracy arid'.sensitivity-. . -
-.' of functional', indices. The model willi,: -,-;
,-' then,be published as'a draft operational; "
.. regional wetland subclass guidebook ;.- .
(operational draft), for a two year period
prior to final publication. The . ; :,.;-, ". '
'operational draft will .include a ~ -.'..- .-.
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Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 160 / Friday, August 16, 1996 / 'Notices
42537
. description and range of tlie regional .
wetland subclass, a functional profile,
the functional assessment models, and
application instructions with field data
' ' sheets. The first year following draft _..-
' publication, review comments will be '
solicited during which time the .; '
' operational draft models will be .
subjected to further extensive field
testing by the Federal agencies. Review
-.'comments will be incorporated into a
'.-'final model. The final model .will .-'- .-. ..-
' undergo review and revision as needed
on a periodic basis not to exceed a five.
' year length of,time -to ensure .that new
' technical data and research are
incorporated into the model.
C. Agency Roles and Coordination
Given the magnitude of the effort, and
the need for interdisciplinary expertise,
development of the. HGM Approach will
require participation from several .-
Federal, State, Tribal and local agencies,
academia, .private consultants and other
: wetlands experts. The following
identifies how such involvement will be
coordinated; _ ..
1. National Lnteragency Implementation
. Team [Implementation Team)
The Action Plan will-be administered
by a National Interagency .
'linplementation'Team chaired by a
representative from the U.S.'Army
Corps of Engineers (Corps). Other
agencies represented, on the
Implementation Team'will be the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
' Service (FWS), 'USDANatural
'Resources Conservation Service (NRCS),'
the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA), and NOAArNational Marine
Fisheries Service/Technical assistance
will be provided to the Implementation
Team by representatives of Waterways
Experiment Station (WES),-and others
involved.in the development of the
HGM Approach....-.;.. ./.-..
The''Impleme'ntation Team is ' .
responsible for. ensuring that the Action
Plan is implemented in a consistent and
' timely fashion, and that the concerns
' and priorities of each agency are
considered. They will meet.on an as
needed basis to assess progress, ensure
timely development of products, snd
address problems and potential
inconsistencies. . .
2. Regional Assessment Teams (A-
Toains)
Regional assessment teams (A-teams)
will include scientists with «?xps?tis-j in.
v.'tfJavicl hydrology, biochemistry, soils,
pj-uls, and wildlife, with represo;iVaiioK.
hrr: - c.acb againr/ cm Uic-.
~ ;...1';-;".>v>!'.r..!.3Ort Team, ?-" cjJp.-'Cp^.'S'.tK.
The representative from the Corps will
serve as the A-team leaden It is .the ; - . ::,'
primary responsibility of the A-team to -.
develop regional functional assessment V
models and guidebooks.-To accomplish'-'
this each A-team is tasked with .<. :' '.: v
identifying reference wetlands and :
developing functional assessment. ; '
models and guidebooks for priority '.-."'
regional wetland subclasses.; Specific -'', -' .
responsibilities of the A;team are listed:>.
below:- .'...; .; -..?:.,..>' ---"y-''-.-.:''
o Identify regional wetland subclasses :
and define reference domains.;.-:-.- _:....;.-; -
« Identify reference wetland sites.-_;'.:'.;
« Identify functions for each subclass.'
° Identify variables and develop ".-.'
functional assessment models.. - ' '. -
« Conductinteragency and :' ' ' :'.'
interdisciplinary"workshop to.critique . .
models. .- '.'. . ' "';''' " ''''
Collect data from reference wetland --'
sites. .. .'.-. -:, '-.': ' -; . '.-"
« Calibrate functional assessment . .
models using reference wetland data.; "
« Verify and validate the accuracy'
and sensitivity of functional indices. .,'.,.
A-teams will solicit technical, input
from other wetland experts as necessary
to accomplish their objectives. A-teams
will meet on an as needed basis during
the development and implementation of
regional assessment models. It is .
anticipated that development of each . .
model will take.approximately one year...
to complete.. . .
3. WES as Technical Support Center . -
WES will sorvs as the primary. -.."-
technical support center for . ''
coordination of all model development-
It is anticipated that a representative '.'-.
from WES will pro vide technical' "'
support to the A-teams. WES will also
maintain standards for quality control
(protocols), in concert with other
' ' Federal agencies, and facilitate . /.,, ,,._._
publication of all HGM documents.:' .'..';
WES will also serve'as-the "center for.;"
training and outreach activities related
to the HGM Approach. '..' : ;'":'-.'".''..
4. Coordination With! State,' Tribal and ',
Local-Agencies, Academia and the ";.. .;
Private Sector . ; . " '..';':...." .
It is the intent of the Federal agencies
to involve representatives'from
appropriate State, Tribal and local - . ;
agencies, as well as local experts from'
academia and the private sector in the
development of regional assessment
models. Input will be solicited regarding
ths technical accurac}' of the niodeL as '
v/eil as iff. applicability to Federal,
;:,tatB, Tribal and local wetlands " -
:.rop,ranis. A-teams v-rill be responsible .
icr identiiying individuals outside of -
:ihe. Fedevpl government with e>;pertise
.;< f't? bvclri'-lc-p'-s bLogeochomical
processes, soils, and habitat functions of
the regional wetland'.subclass to-..';..'' ;'.;. ".:
participate in the peer review. " : .' ' -'.-.
Concurrently,' it is anticipated that' '''';';
many State regulatory and/or resource' ' . .
agencies will be interested iri taking the ''.."
leadin developing similar assessment' -' '..
.methods using'the HGMApproach for '. ;"'
their own regulatory programs and other.
purposes. Assessment models ; -' :;'.-';-'.-...'.
developed by'Statq.'agencies'may be --'..
- accepted for use'within Federal::; '. =;':-'.^.
': programs if they'satisfy Federal.quality'^;..
control standards.-For this reason, States '..
are ehcouragedto- coordinate with WES.'.. .;
at the initiation of the project to ensure . '".
consistency with Federal efforts. The '
Federal agencies will work to establish -.'.
collaborative efforts with/States' in the
development of regional HGM ''.' _. '
'assessment models'to ensure .maximum s:.':
r efficiency. of.bp'th'_e_ffprts'ahd the ' '
' broadest,possible apptication-of tlie -..,'
assessment-methods. ;; .;,;-: .. '"' .
' Moreover,'many States have on.-going. .-
' research supporting the development of'
' monitoring programs to characterize and-
assess the condition of their wetland
resources'; The-HGM Approach'provides
' a useful framework for targeting States' '
data collection and research efforts... . _ ..
Many States have increased their efforts .. j
to monitor'and document the ecological '
' condition -of their wetlands in recent .'.
years:-This"infbmiation is'used.to define'
more appropriate and specific wetland ' '
water quality standards, to;report on the
he'aidi 'of .States! aquatic systems for .-
Clean Water Act Section 305 (b) . -. .
purposes, and to set performance .
criteria for .wetland restoration and .
. 'mitigation project^'. Much of the data
from these activities can support the
development of functional 'assessment
" models based'on the HGM Approach... .
Federal and State' agencies undertaking _.
.'the'development of regional assessment,-
models are encouraged .to coordinate - .
with these State research and '
monitoring programs to 'facilitate an .
exchange of technical information. .
Finally, there may be. circumstances
where a functicnal'assessment model.
based on the -HGM. Approach is.'. ' -.
developed for a specific'application .' :
(e.g., within a watershed planning effort,
for a particular permit application). In
-such cases, entities responsible for
developing the model are encouraged, to
the maximum extent practicable, to '
follow the standard protocol for
developing a regional assessment
model. It is anticipated that these.
models may then serve as the basis for .
Federal or State efforts to expand the
scope of applicability of the model
through additional calibration and pssr
...£
:<;s
H'ti-
-------
oL 51, Ho. ICO / F-k!;;y, A::;;ust 10.
/'.', flavin? Ctoniro! for fctti&ii
faH'jtniflii'Hii
Wlii?-} t!;o agaucl-.:s reccg»i.r.3 that tho
stops uoodod lo develop oadi model
will vary basod on the uiiiquo
circunurtanccs of each ei'fort, certain
minimum requi«:moats must be met to
ensure consistency, technical accuracy
and intercgoncy support for the
development of each regional ... . .--.
guidebook. The protocol (minimum .
steps) to be followed in regional model
guidebook development and the
implementation process involve several
£-hr.sos. These phases, llr.icd i;\ Table 2,
era described in do'ail in '.he draft
guidance from WSS, D.ivolopuv.rnt of
K:-;f;ion-7>.l Wetland Su.bck.ss TIGM
Functional Assessment Model
Guidebooks (May 1990). The
Implementation' Team will maintain
oversight to ensure product
development focuses on priority
wetland types and meets agency needs.
In order to satisfy Federal standards for
quality and consistency, models '
developed by consultants.or other A-
. teams not formed by,the Federal.' . '
agencies will be required to perform the
stnj.v. described in Tab to 2 if those
me;''!?!--; sra Jo bo uso-.l within Federal
prcf;i"j.rns. Hn'ltios undertaking separate
sffoi^s to develop HGtvl functio'sai'
assessment -noclsls are encouraged to
iufnnn the Corps early on of ihoir intent
and provide timely opportunities for
agency participation and review. Any
model developed by an entity other than
the Federal agencies must be reviewed
by the agencies prior to-application ''. ''-.
under Federal programs to ensure-
consistency with quality assurance steps
outlined in this document, including '
agency and private sector peer review. -
,,, ...TABLE 2.STEPS IN .DEVELOPMENT OF MODEL GUIDEBOOKS (DRAFT)
Phase I: Organization of Regional Assessment Team: ' .-.... .--.'<' . ' '.;
A. Identify A-Tearh members ,.' >,.^.-'. . '.'.-. .'.',..-'- .. ,= '-..'"I ..'...'..- : ' .
B. Train members in HGM classification'and assessment. ". .: ' -.'-, :-..
Phase II: Identification of Regional Wetland Assessment Needs:, ;.' '..'-. . '...-.. .= .' .. .. -.-,
A, Identify regional wetland subclasses' ... ...;',. ' "'.''' --'' .' - ,.. " - .. --.'
8. Prioritize regional wetland subclasses '!....':. .... ^,. .. ...- -:.. '-.;.-.'. v ."'-. -,- -
C. Define reference domains '' '; *.; .'.." ':'.",[^'~ ' ' .' .'''.'.:; :.. . V-
D. Initiate literature review -.. ";, " ."'.'.'".'"'". ' ':''' '' .... -. "".'.' "" '
phase III: Draft Model Development '- . ' '.-.;'''.''' : ''.t-'1-l' " '' '.;'.' .- " ;'
. A. Review .existing models of wetland functions '''.'"' "' '- ' '.-' . .. '
'B. Identify'reference wetland sites ' . " . :: . ' -. ".' ";''.
C. Identify functions for each subclass ; .-..' ':'':'; '" v '. ~ '':' .-'. .' .
0. Identify variables and measures ' ' ' - -..'.. ' . . .... ' ' '
E. Develop functional indices. :'.-' . ,,.. ,';, . .. . .
Phass IV: Draft Regional Wetla'nd Model Review: . ' .:. '.. -'. , . ' , ..'..'
A. Obtain peer-review of draft model ' . .'....,.;
B. Conduct interagency and interdisciplinary workshop to critique'model .
C. Revise model to reflect recommendations from peer-review and workshop" .
D. Obtain second peer-reviesv of.draft model ' ''' '. ' '" '.''.., " .";
Phass V: Model Calibration: '...' ' '...'. ;' '
, A. Collect data from reference wetland sites ..,'-. '. .-.''.-
B. Calibrate functional indices using reference wetland.data ' '-.- '
, C. Field test accuracy and sensitivity of functional indices--..: ' -. -*-.''..-'
Phase VI: Draft Model Guidebook Publication:' .. ; . .-; ->:'"'.''-.' " :':,-'''' .
A. Develop draft model guidebook ' -.' . .'.-.':.' ';': .:...-' ' '-. .. '-.:
B. Obtain peer-review of draft guidebook . ' -.-:'-. .':.'. .' :. ''. -. .' :-.- ;'
C. Publish as an Operational Draft of the Regional Wetland'Subclass HGM Functional. Assessment Guidebook to fc
Phase VII: Implement Draft Model Guidebook- -. ; .": . ... "';..-'. ' --.'.. ''
A. Identify users of HGM Functional Assessment .-"'.' ..- ',' '.:.'..;!' ..-. ,,- . ;,, . .'..V
B. Train users in HGM classification and evaluation ,;.;.-. -...-.'''". '.,".' ..'.*'.,.-' ' -': *.';. ' .' '
, C.^ Provide'assistance to users-. ..'... ,-'.- ..- ";':.';:.'.'':';/":''''''!... .". ':'-.. ; ."-'.". '- :. ' "
Phase VIII: Review and Revise'Draft Model Guidebook .'.'''-; "-Vr :"'';" "''. : '"''''."': '.' :"'..'^"" .''
be used in the field .
E. Training and Outreach
1. Training! / '".:.
Training on th'e.HGM Approach .will-
be necessary to ensure consistent; ..'.»<-?.
development and application of regional
assessment models. Four different- ;.. '-.
training courses proposed to be offered....
by the Federal age.ncies'are.based on the.
'needs of. different' users.--Jhese courses. ;*_
range from an introductory.cdiirse to.... '
familiarize program" administrators'.with'
the HGM Approach to technical training
in regional subclass:model development
and the application of thp.HGiyi'A.,.;.,,!:*-:;;;
Approach.;The-proposed.'courses a're,-::.--
briefly described below:-'.;../.':';.. _.-:
A.;HGM Executive CourseThis .<.. '.;
course \villbe designed for executive'/- -^
and management personnel who.need to
understand the basics of the HGM .
Approach and application', but do riot
need to'either develop or'apply ..':'.;.'....
' functional as'sessment rnpdels.:,The-y :'-.':
course will.be;approximately two days'
in length arid provide background on-. .,(-
tlie HGM Approach,, the conceptual'^
-also provide-prograrnadministratprs..^..^
' with information.necessajy-to evaluate--;;
the.prbper deyelopmenf ^and application:
; of ie regional.subclass_mod.els.-:';'?.-';':',y/:'
!':-_. BVHGM Appiication.''Course^-A' :;"1«?;;'
/second course.will be offered to thdse'^-t.
individuals 'directly responsible for'1;? :'!':'
applying HGM! models: in-'the field... The -'
course:bbjective,will be.to'ehsure :-,-'. jv:
'.'"students are as proficient'as possible in. -
' applying regional subclass models and
in evaluating'the application of HGM ',''
models. The course will focus on the. '.;';
application of models' under'different '
' sdenarios such as project impact ''. _
; assessment,'alterriatiye analysis, and-y',..-
."'mitigation'desigh/mpnitoring.'It. will',!'.''_
, require a full five.days tp'corriplete with;
considerable emphasis 'on field'-work-. -: /'
This course will be offered through the" '.
..".Corps regulatory training curriculum. '
";.;.' C. HGM Model DevelopmentThis.' '
v; courser.will be designed for personnel ''
*' responsible for drafting -and. testing rieW--'
HGM.rhpdels.' It is anticipated that: r';-, i':
;. participants will have an adequate :.."
'-.'..understanding of the HGM Application.
..' course. Students will be provided - ' i '.'
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'Federal Register /.-Vol. 61, No.' 160 7 Friday. August 1G, _^^ Nonces
42509
information oh the sequence of steps:.. ;.::-.
necessary to de'velop models arid the : - '-
lessons learned from prior .development
efforts. The course will be..;.-;-..- -. " v".
.. approximately three-days long and - ;; -" -.-
' include field exercises-on identifying ..-,.-.,..
'' and collecting data from reference '-,-; .\.^
wetlands.-'.'W:'----<'.-.:''.'..'. .'''£:' "'.
D Train the TrainersA fourth '...;>.
course wi]ibe"offered to.train'those -.-..-:...,
-individuals who will be responsible for./-;
"'local training;The course objective will.:-
be to enable students.who are proficient .-
' 'in the HGM Approach"and model.-_// ^.,;
development to train others in the HGM ;
Approach, model development, and -' ' ;:.
' application. This course will be two . .
'days in length with a pre-requisite of
having extensive experience iii the HGM '
Approach-. ''...''.'-'.;; ;'* ;.-'''?. ''_.'-
2. Outreach. '" ' -'' - -.-"'
. . .. .._ .... . ....
::' In addition to this Action Plan and ' .''
the 'training courses the Federal agencies
. are proposing, additional outreach... _.-:..
:efforts are-planne'd to'ensure that State,-:'.-'.
Tribal, local agencies and the general. '.
public are informed on the HGM
Approach, including the direction the ., .
' -Federal agencies will follow in .:
developing and implementing the HGM
'Approach. The following strategy .; / .
identifies additional steps the agencies.
will take over the next few years to meet
. that objective.' . .' . ' ,
A11 technical publications included
under the HGM Approach (e.g., national
and regional guidebooks, supporting
technical documents) will be published
by WES under an interagency logo. .
Once published, these documents-may .
be obtained by interested parties . -
through an appropriate Federal .
.' publications office, including the
National Technical Information .Service
" (NTIS). In addition, WES will develop a
:-' hdrne page on the'Internet dedicated to ;
the HGM Approach to make pertinent
" documents available electronically. The
home page, will include a quarterly .'
publication to update interested readers
on the status of efforts to develop and
implement the HGM Approach. Among
the information.included iii this
publication will be a current' listing of
completed national and-regional
guidebooks (including both' operational
' and final drafts), as well as information
concerning the status of other models.
under development.
WES will also have the primary
Federal lead for keeping the scientific
community inforraed about the-HGM__
Approach through the pressntetini! ox
uucnnation. at appropriate professional
rnsstings-and within technical
pulilicalions. Similarly, ths Federal
£-22i;.c\i-fs will rrtski: ir.forroalion
organizations and journals to ensure .
ithat the regulated'community and ;.' '; -
others are informed oii-tlie development'
of the HGM Approach.. EPA's Wetlands ;'
Information Hotline (1-800-832-7828)
will also serve as.a distribution center- -
for HGM materials.- In'additidn'to the -' '
' Federal agency training programs -
described above, it. is anticipated that -
private wetland training institutes ivill-
'begin to provide'additiqnal training '. '. \-
opportunities; for .both the public and-; ;-:_
'private'sectors.'.In'addi.tion to .these ;."'
; formal training programs,-the agencies .-
anticipate sponsoring short'seminars on
the HGM Approach to'respond to local
interests or needs.
F. Policy Statement '-.. ' ... ;.-.. ' .-'
Conciirrent with development of the ; ^
HGM.Approach; the Federal agencies- '-
will develop a policy statement
clarifying "how.-the HGM Approach can
be used within the Section 404 program"-
to improve regulatory decision making.- .
. The' policy statement will address -.,"-
various issues, including how
information on'wetland functions
"generated by the HGM approach will be
used by regulators to make timely and
consistent decisions that are -reflective
of the relative functional capacity of '
different wetlands. In addition, the ^ '
policy statement will discuss how other
important factors, such as the relative
value .of wetland functions, are to be
considered in the decision making
process. The policy statement will be
published in the Federal Register for .
public review and comment prior to
final issuance by the Federal agencies.
IV. HGM Documents:- ...
The following'documents have been
or are expected to be published by WES
as part of the development strategy.
Published documents are available .
through the National Technical ' '.
.'Information Service at-(703) 487-4650.
- A. HGM Classification of Wetlands
(Brinson, 1993)This document lays
out an approach for classifying-wetlands
into similar functional types (classes ' .
and subclasses) based on their-
hydrogoomorphic characteristics.
Wetlands are initially classified based
. on three major characteristics: (1)
gsomorptiic setting, (2) water source,.
and (3) hydrodynamics. The five major
wetland classes are depression, slope,
flats, fringe, and riverine. (Brinson has'
since revised this to seven'major classes:
riverine, depression, slops, mineral soil.
fiats, organic soil Gats, estuarine fringe^
and lacustrine fringe.) The classification
is not intended to supersede or replace
olho-r v/otltoid classification mo-bods
Jyjiyviud for purpn:;3S other than
B. Procedural Document (Smith, et al,
.1995)This document establishes the ; '
' "guiding rules'-' for model development '
and application of the HGM Approach. '' .
Included is standard guidance for : - '
' wetland bounding, characterization, and-; ..
:'assessment using a regional assessment-. :
' model, as well as guidance for - '''_ :' ' .
' development of A-teams and assessment
models.;-' ",,'".
:: C. Guidance for Establishing . ----
Reference WetlandsReference;'..' . f ..
i wetlands'- are used to establish a baseline i-'-'V
.from .which individual wetlands are .;:-'t.v
: compared to'assess their functional- '. ". I
capacity/Data1 collected from reference;;-- -
wetlands-is used to-calibrate the --. |-;
regional functional, assessment models;
'This document will provide guidance v.
:..on how to identify arid establish''. " --'.. ,. .
reference wetlands and determine the . -.' .
geographic range (reference domain) of ;.,
.'-the regional wetland subclass. -:.- . '; --.
' D. National GuidebooksThese . .'': -
'.documents' will provide a template for.'.,''.:.'
each hydrbgeomorphic wetland class . : -
from which regional guidebooks can be -.-.
developed. 'National guidebooks will be
established for the major classes of - . .-''.
wetlands: .'''. - .' ' " .
Riverine Wetlands' ' '.'"'*'
Depressional Wetlands ' -..-.-
Coastal and Lacustrine Fringe.
Wetlands . ' ' '
Slope Wetlands' ' ' .." '"
- ^-Flats Wetlands(mineral .soil flats
and organic soil flats) -:
Each 'document will provide the
rationale and supporting literature for
inclusion :of selected wetland functions ..
and variables. The 'document will lack- ... -
, field calibration and specifics on '-."
'reference'standards. National- ''
guidebooks will be published initially .--.
as operational drafts for a two year'
. period, to allow the public to provide :'..
comments on the information contained y
within. Revisions will be made in ' /.'-.
response to field reviev/ and public .. -:.-.
- comment and a final guidebook will be^
published.--- , ' ' '-,''
- E: Regional GuidebooksRegional -
. guidebooks are the' tools which will be --
used in the field to conduct wetland ,"
functional assessments. These . ' _'-
documents contain the regional .wetland .
subclass models developed by .the A-
team, including data from reference ';
wetlands and tlic calibration of the
functional'indices using the reference
. \v'etland data. The document will also -.
' contain an appendix of field.forms to be
used in conducting .functional
&s
-------
junl .OniVt G:p"''-!bctfk
Mrt«3c's riiviRcd by Uw A-t-..-;i.n For a
{/articular wotlauil subda--.. bavin:;
b-jun reviewed by an iniorcgoncy pamsl
and on interdisciplinary tostu. of experts
f.-usiilisr with the wetland subclass and
region, will b« published by WES as an
"Operational Draft" of the regional
guidebook for that subclass. Ths preface
m each operational draft will contain a -
statement and address for soliciting
review comments. Each operational
draft will be made available for-public '.
' use for a two year period during which
tSmo comments'and recommendations
for revisions will be accepted. The
operational draft will.be revised to
reflect recommended changes in the - .
models and the revis.ed'models will be .
published as a Final Regional ..-. ..,' -.
Guidebook two "years from initial.:.:.'-.-.
publication. .'.'" - , ;i-'='- "r
' 2. Final Regional GuidebooksThe .-
revised operational drafts will be" '
' published as final regional guidebooks .
two years after initial publication. Each
final regional guidebook will remain in
use for a period not to exceed five'years,
during which .time it will be reviewed
by an interdisciplinary'team to assess,
changes in the state of wetland science,
including the applicability of new data-
and research on the particular wetland
subclass, and to determine if revisions . .
are needed to the regional models. If
revisions are required,' die final regional
guidebooks will be revised and ..
republished.- ,'.' :' ' '
V. Application of HGM Approach';'.' t
One of the primary benefits-of.the
HGM Approach is that it provides ; ..
project proponents and regulators with
a method to rapidly and consistently;
assess the level of environmental-impact
of a p'roposed project. This information.,
is particularly valuable within the .;'; .
: -reviewof Section'404 permit -...- ...-
applications where the HGM Approach .-'
can assess the .ability of a wetland to .,-.
perform a specific function before and ..
after'the proposed discharge of dredged .
or fill material. As such, the evaluation
can be useful in identifying the least .
damaging project alternative as required
by the Section 404 program. Moreover, :
the metiiod provides regulators with a .'
more predictable tool to gauge the level-::
of environmental impact and, therefore;
to more consistently determine the. ;:.-: '
appropriate regulatory response,' i.e-.,'s' "..-
ensure that the level of review is .'.' '-
commensurate with the degree of.'...: .
environmental impact arid based upon ':,
.the best available'scientific information'.
NRCS in its administration of the", 'ii
' Food,Security Act of 1985 and the '. '-..-
Federal Improvement and Reform Act of
1996 is tasked with determining '.-.' -
"inir.uti.n eFicds" ya t:oixvorsio'i oc
prop-.'i.::j'.!. conversion of wetlands ou
agricultural iaiids. To aid thorn ,i:i this
i/n'ort. NRCS will utilise the 1-IGM
Approach to detorjiiina tlio impacts on
llic hydrological and biological .
functions 01'.'.b.c wetland duo to the
conversion/proposed conversion.
"Thresholds" to determine ths minimal
effect will be established by NRCS. The '
information provided'from an HGM . . .
assessment can then be compared to the
threshold and provide the basis for
making a minimal effects determination.
The HGM Approach also provides
important information to determine the
nature and level of compensatory -
mitigation that is needed to effectively
.offset impacts to-wetlands. Identifying
the degree to which a project may :
adversely affect the hydrologic', -.-'
biog'eochemical and habitat functions of -.
a particular., wetland, enables regulators '-
to more accurately'determine the ..-.
amount and type of compensatory
mitigation required to offset the adverse
impacts. In addition, the indicators and-.
variables used to establish the . . '
assessment,model may provide
performance standards with which .
mitigation projects can be monitored to.-
determine compliance. .
In addition to being utilized in tlia
Section 404 regulatory program,.the .
HGM Approach may also bo. applied to
mitigation banking (the-.crealion, '.- .'.
. restoration, or enhancement of
- wetlands) expressly for the purpose" of :
providing compensatory mitigation for
multiple projects. The HGM approach . .
can be used to determine the '
appropriate number of credits available ,
' at a mitigation bank and also to
. establish performance standards to v -
' measure the success of the project'in
- meeting stated goals. '.-'.': ..'-. ' '- ' .'
The HGM Approach can be applied to
.' determine the relative functional :, .;
capacity of wetlands in a particular
geographic area within'a watershed ' '
planning effort, which, typically-.'
involves the collection and distribution
of data-tin the functions of wetlands in .
the area..,The'information gathered'can -
' be used to make management decisions
on the locatiori'of future development .'
within the watershed and.the protection.
of its' aquatic resources. Where existing-
regional subclass, mo dels are not .-
: available, a watershed planning effort
may provide the basis' from which a-
. regional assessment model .can be .
developed: In such cases, the model can '
.-.' be tailored, to meet a specific application'
- of the'-planning effort. " '.- .-:' -....- ,
. ' The.HGM Approach may'also.be used
: in the.context of a.States' wetland water
quality 'standards program. The HGM
' Approach provides a useful framework
for UiivciJn«; ^tcife*' :\:.in v.Ci:.ar:<:au. ;-.;id
locnni-di clfiii-ts. ivMuyoailci.; it :.:o
increased v'.sir ci'fo;::; tu mcnufoc :;:id
iiocuiiwui. Siio occiogiisil t:.-i-c.(iilic:n of
thoir ws'Jaji'J-j. This iii.CorjnaSion is i'r.cr,
used to defins mora apprGf.ncila and
specific wetland water quaiily
standards, to report on the health of . :
Stales' aquatic systems, and to set
performance 'standards for wetland
restoration and mitigation projects. The '
indicators and variables identified in a
regional guidebook can serve as the
basis for establishing narrative or -
numeric.criteria used to assess whether '
an established standard has been met.
VI. Schedule ,
Development of the KGM Approach is
being accomplished in three phases..-
Phase I is a pilot phase xvhich was .
initiated in 1995.and..fpcused on " _. . ;'"'
developing functional assessment '... .
.'models and regional guidebooks for- .:". .
priority regional wetland subclasses.. "V . .
identified by the Corps of Engineers./-' ":.. -.
These priority regional subclasses are: " -
(a.) 'South-Central Florida flats and . '>
depressions and flats of the Everglades;. , - .
Co.) Western Kentucky and Tennessee
riverine (low gradient, low order); (c.)
Vernal pools in California; (d:) Prairie -..
potholes of the northern plains states; '
(e.) Southeast-Fine Flatwoods, and (f.) ;
Coastal Fringe of ths Texas.Gulf Coast: ; ''.
Phase II, initiated in 199S, consists of ah
expanded nationwide effort to develop
functional assessment models and :-;:- :
regional guidebooks in approximately. -.
15-20 additional regional wetland ":' V-
subclasses in order to acheive the goal-'
of having a'sufficieiit number of-""'
. assessment models to address- 80
percent of the Section- 404 permit - . .:.
workload requiring functional ' ..' '..'
- assessments. (See Table 3) Under Phase '-.
Ill, Which will be initiated during 1998,' ;
, functional assessment models and ' :',-
. regional guidebooks will.be developed :'V.
. for all remaining regional wetland ' ' -' ''':
subclasses identified. :.- .-'."'.. ' ," '.''.'-
i -Phase I.of .the Action Plan was . "
initiated.in 1995 and is focused on
developing regional guidebooks,for-'. .. ;
, regional .wetland subclasses of national;-^,-
priority as identified by a. survey sent to .'.
: Corps-Districts:Nationalpridrities were:'.-
determined'andpilot.CorpsDistricts:.v :'
'selected by surveying field offices and.'
-identifying those types of wetlands-j--. '.'
':.: -which, for example, are experiencing-:"'-
:;-. the most'development pressure,-'are. 'ix-s-.--'.)..-"
:': threatened due to scarcity;' ahd/br are.-.':.v\i--
'-. .complex and difficult to' assess. A-teams ..,
. were established to-identify reference
wetlands and develop functional ' '';*
indices for these priority.regional'.- - ''
. f-
-------
availability of personnel, lime
Federal ResislerJJToL^^^
-^"^^Itasks such as::,- regional wetland subclasses,an.d. ,...,
":. LideltiQcation of functions relevant. . est
to the particular wetland subclass the,.. . -
of existing assessment models, ..
. fining workshop was held tor-A-team . -. -and testing of functional -;
members to ensure consistency m the. . develop ^
of funcUonal -,. dccurate manner..;-
efforts to'develop regional
models.-The A-t'
.TABLE 3.-
ces for priority
-. '.Contributing-..
: agency(ies)
Draft Complete.
Published. '-. '
Dec-96
Apr'96 .-:
Technical Report _':..!
_
Technical Report
"
ational Action- Plan
^^-
Dec 97 .'...'..
Draft completed.' ''. - .
-Workshop held Feb 96.-;. :
Workshop held May 96. .'
Workshop held Apr 96.,'
Workshop Jul 96.':-.-"- ;'.'
To.begin N'ov.96.' '.-.." '"'/.
RockiesWIT. CO. UT
Regional Fringe: Coastal Guidebooks
Regional Fists Guide-books
Workshop held Feb 95
COE/WES j Operational Dra ^ - ;;:
^,,,,,,, . ' Operational Draft --^P J ^
FHWA ,.'. 'Operatic
-------
In tha northern plaiuu states and vernal
ijocls in the Central Valley of
California), riverine v/otlands (low
gradient streams in western Kentucky/
Tonncssco), flats (pine flatwoods in
North. Carolina and flats in the' East
Everglades of Florida), and flat/, '
dopressiohal mosaics in Florida. Table 3
identifies their current status and
anticipated dates of completion.', ' "
2. Phase IIPriorities for 1996 to 1998
Phase II, initiated during 1996,'.
consists of an,expanded nationwide '
effort to develop regional guidelines in
.. approximately 15-20 additional, :
regional wetland'subclasses. Regional
. subclass models developed in Phase .H .
will be developed under the same ' .
protocol as described .for Phase' I. As
identified in Table 3, efforts currently '.
.underway as part of Phase. II include the
development of assessmenLmddels for ..
riparian systems, Herbaceous; . ' -
dpprcssional and slope^wetlands ih the.
northern Rocky Mountains, forested
slope wetlands in New England, and
coastal fringe wetlands of the .Gulf of
Mexico. However, it should be
recognized that expanded efforts in this
Phase will not address all regional
wetland subclasses. The.numb.er of ' :
efforts initiated is dependent upon the
availability of personnel, time, and.-'
financial resources.'. .''''.'. - ,:
In addition to the development of ;
regionalguideb'ooks.'the agencies will .
work together during Phase II to develop
necessary guidance on how the HGM
Approach may be applied in the review
of Section 404 permit applications. The
intent of this document is to clarify how
information from'an assessment can be '
used to determine the level of, ..... -.
environmental impacts a proposed '
project may cause and the appropriate
regulatory response. >. ".
3. Phase IIIDevelopment Beyond 1998
Based on the needs of the Federal ...
agencies and work conducted to date, by
others, the agencies will establish a -
priority listing of additional models to--
be developed beginning in 1998."- '
VII.Funding _;,'.. - '.- : ;'.'- .''' ' "
; .Primary funding for the Federal effort
to develop the HGM Approach'has been
, and will continue to be provided- ;.-.'.
through the Corps,'with additional../,!:!.':
support being provided by'other-federal
agencies/.including EPA; NRCS and -I-...'.
FHWA. As development of the.approach
continues, limited Federal-funds, will be
available for the development of each
regional guidebook to support tasks
such, as too colloofioa. of data, lra>iim<>,
and technical v/orkshops. The cost for'
developing regions!, guidebooks is
expected to vary depending on the
scope of the effort and the level and -
nature of participation by Federal, State,
Tribal and local agencies and the private
sector. For Slate, Tribal and certain local
efforts, EPA's State Wetlands Grant.
Program has made funding available for
those agencies wishing to pursue an
. HGM Approach within their wetlands
program. Interested State, Tribal and
local agencies should contact the local
EPA office for further information.
References ' ' '"
Brinson, M.M. 1993. A Hydrogeomorphic
Classification for Wetlands. Wetland '
; " Research Program Technical Report ' '
- .-WRP-DE-^4. U.S. Army Engineer':
'' Watenvays Experiment Station,'.' :'.
'. Vicksburg, MS.' ' ' ''' .' .'.'-.- :.
Brinson, M.M., Haiier. F.R. L'ee, L.C., Nutter]
W.L., Smith, R.D., Whigham'; D. 1995.
Guidebook for Application of ..'
. Hydrogeomorphic Assessments to.
Riverine Wetlands (Operational Draft). -
' .- Wetland Research Program Technical
Report WRP-DE-ll. U.S. Army Engineer
Watenvays Experiment Station,
' Vicksburg, MS. ' .
Davis, M.M., E.J. Clairain, Jr, W. Ainslie, M.
Gilbert, M.A. Schwinn, M. Sheehnn, G.
Sparks, K. Trott. and M. Whited. May -
199G (Draft). Development of Regional -
' Wetland Subclass HGM Functional
...Assessment Model Guidebooks.
Smith, R.D. 1993. A Conceptual Framework
for Assessing the Functions of Wetlands.
. .. ' Wetland Research Program Technical ' .'
- Report WRP-DE-3?. U.S. Army Engineer
' Waterways Experiment Station',
Vicksburg, MS.
Smith, R.D., A. Ammann, C. Barto'dus, and
'M.M..Brinson. 1995. Approach for
. -.Assessing Wetland Functions.Using
.Hydrogeomorphic Classification,:'
.Reference Wetlands, and Functional ;
Indices. Wetland Research Program' '
.. Technical Report WRP-DE-9. U.S. Army
'" Engineer-Waterways Experiment Station; '
. 'Vicksburg, MS. . -..-..,
. Appendix A
Definition of Terms Used in the '
..Hydrogeomorphic Approach
. Assessment Model: A simple model
.that defines the relationship between
ecosystem and landscape scale variables
and functional capacity of a wetland. "
The model is developed and calibrated
.using reference wetlands from a .-
reference domain.- ' ..-. . : .
. Assessment Objective:The reason
why an assessment'of wetland functions
-is being conducted. Assessment'. ."-. .'-'
objectives'normally fall into one of three
categories. These include: documenting - '
existing conditions, comparing different
wetlands at the same point in time (e.g.
alternatives analysis), and comparing
:«>:» (0.3. impact analysis a;- mUi-;--.;-:.:
succoss).
Asssssrnant Te:;rn (A-Taa:*): An
iiitei'discipluiary gvcup of regional a-vl
local scientists responsible for
classification of wedands within a
region, identification of reference
wetlands, construction of assessment
'models,'definition of reference
standards, and calibration of assessment
models. .
Functional Assessment: The procsss .
by which the capacity of a -wetland to
perform a function is measured. This
approach measures capacity using an
assessment model to determine a
functional capacity index.
. Functional Capacity: The rate or
magnitude at which a wetland
'., ecosystem performs a. function.'
Functional capacity Is dictated by..
characteristics of the wetland ecosystem
and the surrounding landscape, and
interaction between the two. ', '..
. Functional Capacity Index [FCI): An
index of the capacity of a wetland to .
.perform a function relative to other
wetlands within a regional wetland
subclass in a reference domain. '
Functional' capacity indices are by
definition scaled from 0.0 to 1.0. An
index of 1.0 indicates the wetland
performs a function at tho highest'
sustainable functional capacity, the
level equivalent to, a wetland under
. reference standard conditions in a
reference domain. An index of 0.0
indicates the wetland does not perform
the function- at a measurable level, and
will hot recover the capacity to perform
the function through natural processes.'
Highest Sustainable Functional
Capacity: The level of functional
capacity achieved across the suite of
functions by a-wetland under reference
standard conditions in.a reference
domain. This approach assumes that the
highest sustainable functional capacity -
is achieved,when a wetland-ecosystem
and the surrounding.landscape are ,.
undisturbed: : ,'
Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Class: The
highest level in the hydrogeomorphic
wetland classification: There are five. .
basic hydrogeomorphic -wetland' classes /
including depressional, fringe, slope,
riverine, and flat..' -
,. -Project Target: The level of . . '
functioning identified for a restoration
or creatiqn project. Conditions specified
-for the functioning are used to judge
whether, a project reaches the target and
is developing toward site capacity. "
- -'Pro/ecr Standards: Performance
criteria and/or specifications used to
guide the restoration or creation .
activities toward the project target.
Project standards should include and
-------
Federal Register / Vol. .61, No." 160 /.Friday,: August. 16, 1996 / Notices
specify reasonable contingency .' ... .
measures if the project target is not
being achieved. -. ">.
Red Flag Features: Features of a
wetland or the surrounding landscape to
which special recognition or'pfotection
is assigned on the basis of objective '. . -.
criteria. The recognition or protection'-.
may occur at a federal, state, regional, .or
local level, and may be official or. '". ..' .
unofficial:'-, ''.'. . V ,':"_'';)'' '.';';.
Reference Domain: The geographic "-...'
area from which reference wetlands are..
selected.' A reference domain may or . .
may not include the entire geographic .
area in which a regional wetland
subclass occurs. .-'-._ : '.-. - ; '"' '.
Reference Standard Sites:.The sites-.:::-
.within'a reference wetland data set from
which reference standards are .--.....-.- ""
developed. Among all reference -.':-.-.
wetlands,.reference standard sites are .-/
judged by an interdisciplinary, team to .
have the highest level of functioning. "'"''
Reference Standards: Conditions "-*
exhibited by'a group of reference
'wetlands that'correspond to the highest
level of functioning (highest, sustainable
level of functioning) across the suite of
" functions performed by the regional
. wetland subclass. The highest level of
functional capacity is assigned an index
score of 1.0. by definition.
Reference Wetlands: Wetlaiid.sites
that encompass tile-variability of a
regional wetland.subclass in a reference
domain. Reference wetlands are used to
establish the range of conditions for
construction and calibra'don'of .
functional indices and establish
reference standards: '{ ;.'.'
Regional Wetland Subclass: Wetlands'
within a region that are similar based on
hydrogeomorphic classification 'factors.
.There may be'more than one .regional
wetland subclass identified within each :
hydrogeomorphic wetland class; ':'.''" '
depending on the'diversity of wetlands '
in a region; and assessment objectives: ":.
., Site Potential: The highest level.of[-,- .-
functioning possible, given local \: ...
constraints of disturbance .history, land.
use,- or other factors. Site capacity may.
be equal to or less than levels of, .-
functioning established by reference - '
standards for the reference domain,- and
it may be equal to or less than-the , " >.
functional capacity of a wetland :. '-:.'
ecosystem.:- -. ' ;.'.-. ."""''.;.'" - ''-- - ...-" -'
Wetland Functions:.The normal "'-
.activities or actions that occur in .." ...
wetland.ecosystems; or simply; the ',':
.things that wetlands do.'Wetland '-
functions result directly from the '.;'.'
characteristics of a wetland ecosystem .
.and the surrounding landscape, and ...
their interaction... . ', ,.-... '.' -.
[FR Doc.-96-20877 Filed 8r15-95; 8:45 a.m]
BiLLiNG CODE 3710-92-U ,''-.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY "'. ..- '. -'
[FE Docket Nos. 96-45-NG, 96-44-NG, 96-
46-NG,'9S-41-NG, 96-47-NG, 96-48-NG, .
96-26-NG, 9S-49-NG, and 96-51-NG]
Coastal Gas Marketing Company;
Northstar Energy, Inc.; .Mock Energy
Services, LP; Arco Products Company,
Division of Atlantic Richfield'"\'";. '' -
.Company; Producers Energy ...
Marketing, LLC; Producers Energy.';''"
Marketing, LLC; St Lawrence Gas -~; .
Company, Inc.;- Co'ehergy Trading ' ,:.-'-'
'Compahy; Orders Granting".'". ;-". , ..;,'
Authorization To Import and/or Export.
"Natural Gas ..- .' '"''.
AGENCY: Office of Fossil Energy, DOE.'
ACTION:'Notice of orders. .. .'
SUMMARY: The Office of Fossil Energy of
'the''Department if Energyi'gives notice ,
that'it has issued Orders authorizing '-' V
various imports and/or exports' of.-. ' .
natural gas. These Orders'are''.- -.'
'summarized in the attached App'endix...
These Orders are available for
inspection and copying in the Office of
Fuels Programs Docket Room; 3-FOSGi
Forrestal Building, 1000 Independence
Avenue; SW., Washington;.DC 20585, ' ."
(202) 586-9478". The Docket Room is . '
open between the hours of 8:00 a.m.' and
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidaj's. .' ''
Issued in \Vashington, DC, on August 2,
1996. ' '
Clifford P. Tomaszav/ski, ' '
Director, Office of Natural Gas, Office of Fuels
Programs, Office of Fossil Energy.
.APPENDIXIMPORT/EXPORT AUTHORIZATIONS GRANTED-
DOE/FE '
Authority
Order No.
1183 ' "
11R4
1 1 85
1187
1188
1189 '...
1 1 °.0
m'i
11Q^
Date issued
07/1 0/S6
.' 07/12/96
07/12/96
' ' 07/22/96-
07/25/96
' . 07/25/96
. 07/?S/35
07/2S/98
0~! /c-g/QS
'
. Importer/exporter FE docket No; -
Coastal Gas Marketing Company
..(96-45-NG).' '
Northstar Energy Inc.' (96-44-NG) '
Mock Energy Services, LP (9646-
' NG). ' ' '
ARCO Products Comoany Division
of. 'Atlantic RichfieJd Company
(96-41-NG).
Producers Energy Markeiina, LLC
(95-47-NG).
Producers Enerqy Marketing, LLC
(9S-48-NG). ' '
St Lswrsncs Gas Cc-'Ti^sny Inc.
. (98-26-NG).
AECVVes'Md (of;-^9-NG) '..
OcEn&i'ov l^pci'iirj Co'y-rieirr'' (95
51-MG}.. . . .. .
Import volume -
600 Bcf/term '...:...
7.4 Bcf/term....'....'.
100 Bcf/term
25 Bcf/tsfm .........
365 Bcf/term
(Combined
total). .
365 Bcf/term
(Combined
tots!). ''
20 275 Mcf/per
day.
200 Bcf/term '
150 Bcf/te
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