00476
r/EPA
                  United States
                  Environmental Protection
                  Agency
                  Region 5
                  230 South Dearborn Street
                  Chicago, Illinois 60604
September 1984
                                                    905R84104
                  Water Division
                 Report
Literature Review
Of  Wetland  Evaluation
Methodologies
   Wetland Site Types: Palustrine
-Upland —
Vegetation
         PALUSTRINE
         WETLAND
                PALUSTRINE  WETLAND
   Upland
  Vegeta t ion
      -Up land
      Vegetation
Swamp and/or
  Marsh

 Trees and
  Shrubs
      a- High water level
      b Average water level
      c Low water level
     	Ground water levels
      s - Seasonal surface outflow
      p Persistent surface  outflow
                                                              ;x>,. ei
                                                         courtesy Environment Canada

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u
i  '  (a
                                TECHNICAL  REPORT






                               LITERATURE  REVIEW



                                       OF



                        WETLAND EVALUATION fcTHODOLOGIES
                                  Prepared by:







                     U. S. ENVIRON^NTAL PROTECTION  AGENCY



                                    Regi on 5



                           230 South Dearborn Street



                            Chicago, Illinois  60604

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           TECHNICAL REPORT


          LITERATURE REVIEW

                  OF

   WETLAND EVALUATION teTHODOLOGIES
             Prepared by:



U. S. ENVIRONhtNTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

               Regi on 5

      230 South Dearborn Street

       Chicago, Illinois  60604
        With Assistance from:



             WAPORA,  Inc.

         35 East  Wacker Drive

       Chicago,  Illinois  60601
                             tevironmental Protection Agency
                              Lakes National Program Office
                                   GLNPO Library

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j,S.  Environmental Protection Agency

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                             TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                 Pag

TABLE OF CONTENTS	    i

LIST OF TABLES	  ill

LIST OF FIGURES	    v

1.0  INTRODUCTION	    1
     1.1  Background	    1
          1.1.1  Federal Requirements 	    2
          1.1.2  State and Local Requirements 	    4
     1.2  Rationale for Present Study	    5
     1.3  Objectives	    5

2.0  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FACILITIES PLAN-RELATED
     IMPACTS ON WETLANDS	    9
     2.1  Primary Impacts	   10
     2.2  Cumulat ive Impact s	   15

3.0  LITERATURE REVIEW	   17
     3.1  U.S. Water Resources Council (WRC) Study	   17
          3.1.1  Habitat Function	   19
          3.1.2  Hydrologic Functions	   19
          3.1.3  Agricultural/Silvicultural Functions	   21
          3.1.4  Recreation and Heritage Functions	   21
          3.1.5  Geographic Features	   22
          3.1.6  Personnel Needs/Administrative Conditions	   22
          3.1.7  Data Requirements	   22
          3.1.8  Red-Flag Features	   23
          3.1.9  Flexibility/Responsiveness	   24
          3.1.10 End-Products/Evaluation Summary	   24
          3.1.11 Field Testing	   24
          3.1.12 Applicability of Methodologies to Agency
                 Needs	   25
          3.1.13 Conclusions and Recommendations of the WRC
                 Study	   26
     3.2  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Literature Review	   27
          3.2.1  Checklists	   27
          3.2.2  Matrices	   28
          3.2.3  Networks	   41
          3.2.4  Mapping	   41
          3.2.5  Indices	   56
          3.2.6  Habitat Assessment Methods	   60
               3.2.6.1  Corps of Engineers Wetland Evaluation
                        Methodology	   60
               3.2.6.2  Corps of Engineers Habitat Evaluation
                        System (HES)	   61
               3.2.6.3  U.S.  Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat
                        Evaluation Procedure	   65
               3.2.6.4  Michigan DNR Wetland Evaluation
                        Checklist Technique	   69
          3.2.7  Ecosystem Modeling	   71

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                       TABLE OF CONTENTS (CONCLUDED)
     3.3  Other Methodologies	  71
          3.3.1  Federal Highway Administration Study	  71
          3.3.2  Wisconsin DNR Method	  77
          3.3.3  Ludwig and Apfelbaum Matrix Method	  77
          3.3.4  US Office of Technology Assessment Study
                 (Mitigation)	  81
               3.3.4.1  Examples of Wetland Impact Mitigation..  82
               3.3.4.2  Feasibility of Wetland Impact
                        Mitigation	   88
          3.3.5  USEPA Indirect Impact Analysis Method	   90
          3.3.6  USEPA Secondary Impact Analysis Methodology...   92
          3.3.7  State of New Jersey Bureau of Regional Plan-
                 ning Indirect Impact Analysis Methodology	   97
          3.3.8  The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources/
                 Canadian Wildlife Service Methodology	   97

4 .0  CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS	  102
     4.1  Conclusions	  102
     4.2  Recommendations	  104
          4.2.1  Incorporation of Screening Method into Facil-
                 ities Planning	  104
          4.2.2  Baseline Evaluation:  Screening Method
                 Requirements	  107
          4.2.3  Impact Analysis:  Screening Method Require-
                 ments	  108
          4.2.4  Recommended Screening Method	  Ill

REFERENCES  	  113
APPENDIX A:    Summary of construction related impacts to
               wetlands as identified by previous studies
APPENDIX B:    Summary tables from WRC study
APPENDIX C:    Abstracts of wetland evaluation methodologies
               reviewed in Lonard et al. (1981)
APPENDIX D:    Additional studies reviewed by Lonard et al.
               (1981) that did not meet screening criteria
APPENDIX E:    Scale-weighted checklists developed by
               Nelson et al. (1982)
APPENDIX F:    Example HQI curves used by HES (USCOE 1980)
APPENDIX G:    FHWA method - selected forms (Adams 1982)
APPENDIX H:    Quantitative methods for determining wetland values
               (from Ludwig and Apfelbaum, unpublished)
APPENDIX I:    Pollution coefficients from Zimmerman (1974)
APPENDIX J:    New Jersey (1975) indirect analysis
               methodologies
APPENDIX K:    Procedure recomended by USCOE to evaluate dredge and
               fill sites (from Nelson et al. 1982)
APPENDIX L:    Ontario Government Biological Method
APPENDIX M:    Ontario Government Checklist
                                    ii

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                              List of Tables
Table                                                                 Page

3.2-1.    Fish and Wildlife Service checklist of potential envi-
          ronmental alterations resulting from dredge and fill
          activities	       29

3.2-2.    Part of a checklist used by the US Fish and Wildlife
          Service to assess impacts of dredging and filling
          projects	       30

3.2-3.    Part of a scaling checklist used to assess impacts of
          upland disposal of dredged materials 	       31

3.2-4.    Assessment scale-weighting checklists for type, scale,
          and timing factors associated with dredge and fill
          activities	       32

3.2-5.    Descriptive matrix illustrating physical and chemical
          impacts of river channel dredging  	     34/35

3.2-6.    Critical factors used in rating and determining recovery
          index	       58

3.2-7.    Critical factors used in determining the inertial index.       59

3.2-8.    Criteria for scaling eight factors reflecting wetland
          values for water purification  	       62

3.2-9.    Ecological problems related to dredged material disposal
          and features of applicable modeling methods  	       72

3.3-1.    Key parameters for defining wetland functional values  .       79

3.3-2.    Wetland evaluation matrix devised by Ludwig and
          Apfelbaum	       80

3.3-3.    Examples of onsite mitigation practices useful for
          filling and bulkheading  	       83

3.3-4.    Examples of mitigation practices applicable to excava-
          tion and fill for construction of highways through
          wetlands	       84

3.3-5.    Examples of mitigation measures for control of wetland
          filling due to soil erosion and siltation	       85

3.3-6.    Examples of mitigation measures for eutrophication from
          sewage effluents discharged in wetlands  	       86
                                    iii

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Table                                                                 Page
3.3-7.    Examples of mitigation measures for control of temporary
          adverse effects from pipeline installation 	      87

3.3-8.    Outline of method used by the New Jersey Bureau of
          Regional Planning to assess indirect sewerage system
          impacts	      98

4.1-1.    Sources of wetland data	     109
                                    iv

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                              List of Figures
Figures                                                               Pages

1.2-1.    This portion of the analysis constitutes the screening
          method yet to be developed by USEPA	       7

2.1-1.    Summary of major direct impacts of WWTP construction/
          operation on water resouces  	      12

2.1-2.    Summary of the major types of impacts of wastewater on
          wetlands identified by USEPA 	    13/14

3.2-1.    Interaction matrix linking project activities with
          associated environmental elements or effects ......      36

3.2-2.    Impact severity matrix for scaling comparative impacts
          at two alternative sites for marina construction ....      37

3.2-3.    Protion of Leopold interaction matrix with instructions
          for scaling and weighting impacts  	      38

3.2-4.    Matrix for linking dredge and fill activities with
          physical and chemical effects  	      39

3.2-5.    Matrix for linking physical-chemical effects of dredge
          and fill projects with adverse biological effects  ...      40

3.2-6.    Diagram of a freshwater aquatic food web	      42

3.2-7.    Pictorial diagram of energy transfer in a typical
          riverine forested wetland  	      43

3.2-8.    Diagram of energy transfer model for a typical
          riverine forested wetland  	      44

3.2-9.    Network illustrating various habitat components for a
          riverine or lacustrine cover type at four levels ....      45

3.2-10.   Network diagram of relationships among components of a
          channel catfish habitat suitability model  	      46

3.2-11.   Network analysis of the sequential effects of a dredging
          project on coastal ecosystems  	      47

3.2-12.   Decision tree illustrating effects of surface mining
          and associated dredging and filling  	      48

3.2-13.   Map of a wetland area under consideration for construc-
          tion of a marina involving channel dredging and mooring
          basin at two alternative sites	      50

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Figures                                                               Pages

3.2-14.   US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inven-
          tory classification scheme 	       51

3.2-15.   Sample from a 1:24,000 scale habitat classification
          map showing wetlands in Colorado 	       52

3.2-16.   Features of the "palustrine" wetland system - part of
          the wetland classification scheme used by the US Fish
          and Wildlife Service 	       53

3.2-17.   Ecological "key" map illustrating erosion potential for
          a northwest coastal area watershed   	       54

3.2-18.   Areas of Wisconsin in which wetlands have been or are
          currently being mapped 	       55

3.2-19.   Detailed steps in preparing a "HES"  	       64

3.2-20.   Generalized evaluation procedure for employing HEP ...       66

3.2-21.   Relationship between baseline conditions, conditions
          without a proposed action, conditions with a proposed
          action and net impact	       68

3.2-22.   Portion of MDNR wetland evaluation checklist 	       70

3.3-1.    The relationships between the concepts of opportunity,
          effectiveness, and significance in evaluation of wetland
          values and functions	       75

3.3-2.    Flow chart of the method developed by Adamus (1983) to
          evaluate baseline conditions in wetlands and effects of
          highway construction 	       75

3.3-3.    Hypothetical cost comparison using three different
          mitigation measures to alleviate disruption of surface
          and subsurface drainage due to highway construction on
          wetland fill	       89

3.3-4.    Method presented by Zimmerman (1974) to assess indirect
          Impacts of wastewater facilities 	       91

3.3-5.    Definitions of various sub-boundaries within the geo-
          graphic area affected by 201 wastewater planning ....       93

3.3-6.    Illustration of the concept of the "sub-area," or those
          portions within the economic area which are most likely
          to be affected by 201 planning	       95

3.3-7.    Example situations whereby wells located near a wetland
          may or may not be directly hydrologically connected  .  .       96
                                    vi

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Figures                                                               Pages

4.2-1.    Method used by Reed and Kubiak (1983)  to incorporate
          wetland evaluation into the facilities planning process      105
                                   vii

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1.0  INTRODUCTION


1.1  Background


     Wetland  communities  are ecologically,  recreatlonally,  and aestheti-

cally important systems  that may  be affected by implementation of waste-

water management planning  activities in USEPA Region V.   The presence of
wetlands  and the  specific  type  of  wetland which may  be affected  by a

wastewater project, however,  may be difficult to determine objectively in

such cases  because of differences  in:  (1)  definitions of  what  exactly

constitutes  a "wetland"  ;  and (2) differences in the degree of biological

training of  the evaluator.   Problems of wetland definition involve estab-

lishing  both the  areal  extent  and  type  of wetland.  Differences in the
amount  of  biological  training  possessed  by a project reviewer result in

varying interpretations of wetland values.   Often, persons with minimal or
no biological training are required to make such determinations and a val-

uable area may be overlooked.


     During  the course of the development of a facilities plan, therefore,

potentially  valuable wetlands may not be objectively evaluated, depending
on who  is  conducting  the review.  This can lead to adverse effects during
construction and operation  phases of a given project.   A method is there-

fore needed  which  can  be employed by  Federal  and State  and/or their con-
sultants  agency personnel   who  are  not  necessarily  trained  in  wetland
  This  document  uses the wetland definition  developed  by Cowardin et al.
(1979)  and  currently employed  by  USEPA.  This definition  is  as follows:
"Wetlands are  lands transitional between  terrestrial and aquatic systems
where the  water  table  is  usually at  or near the surface  or  the land is
covered  by  shallow water.   For purposes  of  this classification wetlands
must  have  one  or  more  of the  following three attributes:  (1) at least
periodically,  the  land supports predominantly hydrophytes, (2) the sub-
strate  is  predominantly undrained hydric  soil, and (3)  the  substrate is
nonsoil  and  is saturated with  water  or covered by  shallow water at some
time during the growing season of each year."

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ecology to objectively screen wetland values and potential adverse effects
of individual  projects  on wetlands.   However, at  present,  no consistent,
standardized methodology  has been developed  for  screening  potential im-
pacts  of  these  activities on  wetlands in  USEPA Region V.  This  report
provides  a  review  of  available  methods for  assessing such impacts,  in
order  to  provide  the  basis  for:   (1)  selecting  an  existing  screening
methodology which  may  be  suitable  for use in Region V;  (2)  selecting an
existing methodology  which  may  be  modified for this same purpose;  or (3)
allow development of a new screening method.

     The concern for  developing  an  objective standardized method of eval-
uating  impacts of  wastewater treatment projects  on wetlands has  arisen
historically from the protection which these natural communities have been
afforded  by numerous  Federal,  state  and  local  laws and  regulations.
Communities and  organizations that  plan to  build and  operate  treatment
systems that may affect  wetlands  are confronted  with an  array of legal
considerations.  These result from requirements of the Federal Clean Water
Act,  the  Rivers  and Harbor Act of 1899, two Executive Orders, and certain
precedents  being  established  within the states.   These will be  briefly
reviewed here  in order  to provide a suitable background for the remainder
of the present  report.

1.1.1  Federal  Requirements

     When most Federal  laws  and  policies for protection of wetlands were
adopted,  multiple  uses  for  such  areas were not  considered.   The  regula-
tions were adopted primarily to remove these areas from development consi-
derations and  to discourage  activity which could damage natural wetlands.
The  following  sections  briefly  outline  the protection afforded wetlands
under the major Federal  laws.

     The Clean Water Act.   The Clean Water  Act  provides  broad  statutory
authority for  protecting  wetlands and other waters  of  the United  States,
and  establishes  an institutional framework for  implementing  wetland pro-
tection.  This  framework  includes the  facilities  planning  process under
Title II, the Section 303 water quality standards process, the Section 402

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National  Pollutant Discharge Elimination  System (NPDES)  permit  program,
and the  Section 404  Dredge  and  Fill permit program.  The facilities plan-
ning process  provides  for a detailed review of  the impacts of wastewater
treatment  projects  on sensitive environmental resources,  while  the water
quality  standards  establish limits on levels of pollutants  in the waters
of the  United States.   However, primary protection of  wetlands  is imple-
mented through the 404 permit program and the NPDES permit program.

     The Section 404 permit prevents destruction or alteration of wetlands
by regulating activities  which  result in the disposal  of  dredged or fill
materials  in  wetland  areas.  While the 404 permit protects wetland areas,
it is  actually a  regulation of dredge and fill activities.   If  there is
not  placement of  dredge  or fill  material,  no permit  is  needed.   A 404
permit  could  be  necessary if a new  facility required dredging activities
in natural  wetlands  or if outfall structures were  to be constructed in a
wetland  that  is  considered  to be within the waters of the United States.

     Under  Section 402  of the  Clean Water Act, the discharge of effluents
directly to the navigable waters, including wetlands, of the U.S. requires
an NPDES  permit  and  a program to  monitor  the  discharge.  Under this sec-
tion of  the Act,  most municipal treatment facilities must provide waste-
water treatment at secondary or higher levels.

     The Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.  Section 10  of  this Act requires
that all  persons  who wish to build any structure or undertake any type of
work in the  navigable  waters of  the United States first  obtain a permit
from the  Corps of Engineers.   When built within the navigable  waters of
the United  States, a Section 10 permit will be required for the construc-
tion or  placement  of piers, wharfs, weirs, booms,  breakwaters, bulkheads,
revetments,  jetties,  and  any  permanent  or  semi-permanent  obstacle  or
obstruction.  A Section 10 permit is also required for any modification of
a  navigable  water  of  the  United  States.  These modifications  include
dredging, excavating, filling, and the disposal of dredge spoil.

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     Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands.  Under Executive Order
11990, actions taken by Federal  agencies must minimize the degradation of
wetlands and must  preserve and enhance the natural  and  beneficial values
of wetland areas.  For communities wishing to use natural wetlands as part
of  their wastewater treatment systems or  for projects  involving direct
wetland  elimination  by  filling,  and where  no practical  alternative  has
been  Identified, this  Executive Order  presents  the  issue of  what con-
stitutes  "degradation"   (lowering  of  the natural values  of  the  system
beyond acceptable levels).  Certain interpretations of the Order have also
held that the  mandate  not only prohibits the  use  of a natural wetland as
part  of  a  wastewater   treatment  system,  but  that it also  restricts  the
discharge  of  fully  treated  effluents  to  wetland  areas,  except  under
special  situations.   The  interpretation  of the  degree  of  "lowering"  of
wetland values varies with the agency or individual  conducting  the eval-
uation, however.

     Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management.   Executive  Order 11988
requires  Federal agencies  to avoid  any direct  or  indirect  support  of
floodplain  development.   The  Order  also directs Federal  agencies to pro-
vide leadership in acting to:   (1) reduce the risk of losses due to flood-
ing; (2) minimize the impact of floods on human safety and health; and (3)
preserve the  natural  and  beneficial  value of  floodplains.  Many natural
wetlands are  located  within  the 100-year floodplain, as are many areas
that communities  might consider suitable for the development of artificial
wetlands.

1.1.2  State and  Local  Requirements

     Wetland areas are  also protected under a variety of  state  and local
regulations.  State statutes  frequently  address  water quality, floodplain
development,  and wetlands  protection.   Language  in an  approved Coastal
Zone Management Plan may prohibit wetland degradation on the coastal areas
of  Region V states.  Local regulations may also protect  wetlands through
zoning regulations,  subdivision  restrictions,  building  codes, sanitation
codes,  conservation  districts,  or  special-use permit regulations.   Deed
restrictions may  also exist for individual sites.

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1.2  Rationale for Present Study

     Although wetlands are  protected  by laws and Executive  Orders  as de-
scribed above,  several  unresolved issues regarding the effects  of  waste-
water treatment  facility  construction and operation on wetlands may arise
during the 201  planning  process.   Issues of primary concern are:  (1) how
to  objectively  define existing baseline conditions within  a wetland; and
(2) how  to accurately assess  the direct and cumulative impacts  of  a 201
project on wetlands.

     A variety of methodologies have been developed and used for assessing
baseline  conditions and  the  impacts of  various activities  on  wetlands.
However,  no  consistent  evaluation methodology is currently being employed
by  all government  agencies  within USEPA Region  V during  facilities  plan-
ning.  As a  result, a wide variety  of  values (or lack of  values) may be
ascribed to wetland communities during completion of baseline assessments.
In  addition,  analyses of potential  impacts also have  varied widely with
respect to scope and depth.

     In short, large differences may result in the quality of the environ-
mental  analysis  conducted   on wastewacer   treatment  projects  involving
wetlands.   Nevertheless, it  is desirable that a consistent methodology for
screening potentially adverse  effects of such activities be developed for
use by  planning agencies and  organizations, so that  objective  and  well-
balanced  facilities planning  decisions can be  made.   This  is  essential
especially in view of the ecological,  recreational, and  aesthetic  values
associated with natural wetlands and the various Federal,  state, and local
protection they  are afforded.  The  rationale  for  the present  study has
thus emerged from the need for such a methodology.

1.3  Objectives

     The  specific  objectives of  this report are to review  and summarize:
(1) direct and cumulative Impacts  that may result from implementation of a
facilities plan;   (2)  the  available  literature concerning methodologies
that have been  developed to  evaluate  wetland  ecosystem baseline  condi-

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tions; and  (3) methodologies  that  assess Impacts of various  human activ-
ities on wetlands.   Ultimately,  this  information will  be used by USEPA to
develop  an objective  impacts screening  methodology  for  use  during  the
facilities  planning  process.   Figure 1.2.1 illustrates how the screening
method could  be  incorporated  into  the -existing  facilities plan process.

     Prior  to  instituting the screening  method, it is  assumed  that  the
engineering  consultant who  is  preparing  the  facilities  plan  will  know
generally whether or not  wetlands  are within the study area.   If wetlands
are  present,  then the  screening method would  be instituted.   The method
would  necessarily consist of two sequential  sub-parts.   The  first  step
would  require  determination   of  the  functions  and values  associated  with
the  existing wetland(s) and  the  location and areal  extent of  these areas.
Functions and values would include hydrological, geological,  and biologi-
cal  characteristics  listed in Figure  1.2-1.   The next  step of the screen-
ing  method  would require  an  analysis of potential  secondary and primary
impacts  of  the  facilities plan implementation on  wetland functions  and
values as defined in the first phase of the screening method.

     If no  adverse effects were  anticipated, the results of the screening
analysis would be  summarized  in  the facilities  plan.   If  adverse impacts
were implicated,  further issue specific studies might be required prior to
submittal of the facilities  plan in order to identify the expected nature
and  severity of  the effects  of  project implementation.  An alternative
pathway would be to  include   the results of  the screening analysis in the
facilities  plan  and  to use it as the basis for further planning decisions
and  possible  mitigation (Figure 1.2-1).  The  screening method will ulti-
mately enable  agencies,  planners,  and  consultants  to  identify critical
aspects of  wetlands  that  might warrant further study,  and is  not intended
to  be a detailed  and  time  consuming technique.   Additional  detailed
studies  would  be  required only if  their  use  were mandated  because of
potentially adverse effects or lack of data.

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     The  remainder  of  this  document  is  divided  into  three  sections.
Section 2.0 reviews  potential impacts on wetlands which may  result from
various activities  associated with facilities  plan implementation.   Both
direct  and  cumulative  impacts  are  discussed.   Section 3.0  summarizes
recent  literature concerning methods  for evaluating  baseline conditions
and impacts of man's activities on wetland systems.   Section 4.0 presents
conclusions about the methods reviewed and recommendations for the devel-
opment of a screening  methodology for use in Region V by facilities plan-
ners and agency personnel.

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2.0  GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FACILITIES PLANNING IMPACTS ON WETLANDS

     The objective of this section is to provide a brief description of the
types  of  impacts which  can result  on  wetlands due  to  implmentation of a
facilities plan.  The purpose of this review is to provide a background for
the  literature  review  of  wetland  assessment  methodologies presented  in
Section 3.0.  Appendix A contains additional summary information concerning
major impacts which may result from construction activities within wetlands
due to dredge  and fill  activities and other  types  of construction.  Since
the types of direct impacts of these types of activities are similar to the
effects of  a wastewater treatment  project,  this summary can be  used as a
means of understanding some of the effects of the latter.

     Several terms need to be first defined in order to clarify the discus-
sions  that   follow.   These  include  the  terms  primary  impacts,  secondary
impacts, and cumulative impacts.  Primary impacts are defined here as those
which result directly from a construction activity.   Secondary impacts is a
term that has been used in the past by facility planners to signify effects
of induced  growth on natural and man-made resources.   The  typical defini-
tion  is  that  secondary impacts  are those  produced by  population growth
induced by   the  availability of  wastewater  treatment facilities.   To  be
consistent  with  the Council  on Environmental  Quality's  (CEQ)  guidelines,
however, the present study  includes the term  secondary  impacts  as a sub-
category of  cumulative  impacts.   By definition, the CEQ identifies cumula-
tive impacts as  follows  (CEQ regulations 29  November  1971,  effective date
30 July 1979 - 40 CFR Parts 1508.7 aw 1508.8):

     "Cumulative impact is the impact on the environment which results from
the Incremental impact of the action when added to other past, present, and
reasonably foreseeable future actions regardless of what agency (Federal or
non-Federal) or  person  undertakes such other actions.   Cumulative impacts
can  result   from  individually minor but collectively  significant actions
taking place over a period of time."  "Effects include":
     (a)  "Direct effects, which  are caused  by the action and occur at the
          same time and place".

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     (b)  "Indirect effects, which are  caused  by the action and  are later
          in time or farther  removed  in distance,  but are still reasonably
          foreseeable.    Indirect  effects  may  include   growth  inducing
          effects  and  other  effects  related  to  induced  changes  in  the
          pattern  of  land  use,  population density  or  growth rate,  and
          related  effects  on  air and water  and  other  natural  systems,
          including ecosystems."

     Under this definition,  a direct  Impact is  synonymous  with primary, and
secondary impacts are synonymous  with indirect effects,  or those  produced
by induced  changes.   For consistency,  the present study utilizes  the CEQ
definitions.
     An example of a  direct  cumulative impact related to  facilities plan-
ning would be the removal of  a specified amount of wetland  habitat to allow
for construction  of  several  sewage treatment plants and associated inter-
ceptor  systems  within a large geographical  area.   The direct  cumulative
impacts  on wetlands   in  this case could  be defined,  for  example,  as  the
total number of acres of habitat directly eliminated by construction of all
plants, lagoons, and interceptors (and the resulting ecological,  hydrologi-
cal, and  water quality  related  impacts).  Indirect cumulative  impacts in
this case  would  be defined as the number  of  acres of  wetlands affected by
induced growth  produced  by several facilities within  the  larger geograph-
ical region.   Both types of  cumulative effects (direct and indirect) would
be expressed either as total  acres eliminated (and resulting impacts) or as
a percentage of  the  total available  wetland acreage within a defined area
(such  as  the service area or larger  geographical region).   A  method  for
assessing  cumulative  Impacts of  USCOE Section 10  and 404  activities  has
been prepared  (Coates 1981)  but  is not reviewed here.  Adamus (1983) also
briefly  discussed various means  to  assess  cumulative Impacts  of  highway
construction activities  on wetlands.

2.1  Primary Impacts

     Direct  impacts   of   facilities  plan  implementation  on wetlands  may
result from construction of sewage treatment plants, lagoons, interceptors,
and pump  stations.   For  detailed discussions of  general  construction im-
                                   10

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pacts,  the reader  is  referred  to  the citations  in the  bibliography by
Darnell  et al.  (1976)  and Nelson  et  al.  (1982b).   Wetlands may  also be
affected by wastewater discharges (USEPA 1983).

     The  major  types  of  direct  impacts  that wastewater  treatment  plant
(WWTP) construction and operation may have on water quality are illustrated
in  Figure  2.1-1.  Vegetation  removal,  encroachment,  alteration  of hydro-
logic regime,  and  reduced water quality would  all  have  adverse effects on
wetland values.

     Direct elimination of wetland habitat or  encroachment of  a treatment
facility  at  the  edge  of a  wetland could  disturb or  eliminate  wildlife
habitat,  and  produce  increased  erosion  and  sedimentation.   Interceptor
construction may result in direct habitat elimination where pipelines cross
wetlands.    Construction  of  an  interceptor  crossing a wetland  may also
cause temporary  increases in  runoff and erosion, producing increased sedi-
mentation  within a wetland.   Increased sedimentation (from human activity)
may have direct  biological effects, either on wetland plants or on aquatic
organisms, by  direct  smothering or by producing increased turbidity (simi-
lar effects also may result from WWTP interceptor construction).  Construc-
tion of a wastewater treatment plant or interceptor across or adjacent to a
wetland may also block water  sheet flow or interfere  in various ways with
the overall water  balance (budget) of  these  communities.   These interfer-
ences could  include  ground water, surface water,  precipitation,  and evapo-
transpiration inputs and outputs.  Because almost every ecological function
of  wetlands   is  linked   directly  with  the hydrologic  regime   (i.e.,  the
balance between all water inputs and outputs), activities such as intercep-
tor construction have  the potential  for  producing  a variety  of  adverse
physical, chemical, and biological impacts on wetlands.

     Discharges  of treated wastewater  into wetland ecosystems  may have a
variety of impacts.   These were recently reviewed  in  detail  in a Region V
publication    entitled   The  Effects of Wastewater Treatment Facilities on
Wetlands in the Midwest (USEPA  1983).   The  major impacts on wetlands iden-
tified therein are listed in  Table 2.1-2 and  are  not  discussed further in
the present review.
                                   11

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   Table 2.1-2.  Summary of the major types of impacts of wastewater on
        wetlands identified by USEPA (1983).
      Type of Impact
                     Description
   Change in Hydro-
    logic Regime
•  Nutrient Cycling
   Accumulation of
   other.dissolved
   substances (in-
   organic ions, sul-
   fur compounds, BOD
   loading by non-toxic
   organlsms, etc...)

   Trace metal
   Accumulation
•  Accumulation of
   refractory chemi-
   cals (i.e, surfac-
   tant s, phenols,
   pesticides)

•  Soils and Sediments
•  Plant communities
•  Animal Communities
Sequential changes in all wetland features, pos-
sibly including nutrient cycling, sedimentation
rates, erosion patterns, plant and animal commun-
ity composition, overall water budget; effects
ultimately depend on loading rate, discharge
quality, size and type of receiving wetland.

Most wetlands studied to date achieve good removal
of nitrogen via denitrlfication; phosphorus removal
is more variable and a less well known process;
wastewater application alter rates of nutrient
cycling in largely unknown ways.

Wetlands have some ability to assimilate organic
loading + other compounds but changes in soil
chemistry (i.e., pH changes etc.,) may result,
producing shifts in dominant plant types.
Some metals do accumulate within wetlands, others
are less well retained; bioaccumulation affected
by various physical/chemical factors.

Wetlands typically accumulate such compounds;
long-term ecological effects poorly known.
Potential erosion, channel creation; chemical
leaching; litter buildup.

Shifts in species composition, areal distribution;
changes in biomass, production; changes in detrital
cycling; transfer of potentially toxic materials
in food chain.

Changes in wildlife, animal, and fish populations
may result directly from changes in plant community,
alteration of water levels or reduced water quality;
increases in insect disease carrying vectors possible
but not well known; benthic invertebrate communities
may shift to more pollution tolerant forms.
                                       13

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Table 2.1-2.  Summary of the major types of Impacts of wastewater on
     wetlands identified by USEPA (1983) (concluded).


   Type of Impact	Description	

•  Protected Species     •  Possible adverse effects due to reduced water
                            quality, changes in plant community structure,
                            habitat elimination.

*  Health/disease        •  Viruses, bacterial and parasite related diseases
                            all potential, but very poorly studied area.

•  Overloading/stress    •  Potential for increased stress on receiving wetlands
                            due to added pollutants; resulting in reduced
                            production, shifts in metabolic (energy flow)
                            pathways; effects largely dependent on relation
                            between amount of loading and size of wetland.
                                       14

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2.2  Cumulative Impacts


     Cumulative impacts  of construction grants  project  implementation may
include the additive  direct  effects  of individual WWTPs and  their  associ-

ated infrastructure or the indirect  effects of  induced  growth.   Construc-
tion and  operation of WWTPs  and associated  interceptors  can result  in a

variety  of  secondary  induced growth  impacts.   These  include effects  on
water  quality  and quantity due  to construction  and operation,  or  direct

wetland  habitat elimination  caused by land use  changes.   Indirect  impacts
produced by changes in water  quality and/or quantity may  include  the fol-

lowing (inferred from Zimmerman 1974):


     •  Positive impact can occur by improving water quality by elimi-
        nating or reducing direct discharges to wetlands and hydrolog-
        ically  connected  areas,  thereby  improving  ecological   and
        recreational values;

     •  Potentially adverse impacts from induced development resulting
        in  increased  overland  runoff,  erosion,  and  sedimentation.
        Development  increases   the  amount   of  impervious  surface,
        reduces recharge  areas  for  groundwater,  increases runoff  of
        pollutant-laden stormwater and  erosion from bare construction
        sites,  possibly   resulting  in  adverse  effects  on  wetlands;

     •  Potentially adverse effects may occur because of increased use
        of  surface and  groundwater.   Decrease  in recharge  area  may
        affect  wetlands.   The  overall  balance  between  surface  and
        groundwater may alter wetland water budgets.

     Potential indirect effects  on wetlands  due to land use changes caused

by induced growth  could  include  the  following (based on information given
in Zimmerman 1974):
          Direct wetland  habitat elimination  due to  construction  of
          new  residential,  commercial,  or industrial facilities  and
          infrastructure because of growth induced by the availability
          of new sewage treatment facilities;  and

          Construction of  new residential, commercial,  or industrial
          facilities and  associated  infrastructure  adjacent to  wet-
          lands as a result of induced growth producing:

               encroachment  effects  on  wildlife  (spraying,   noise,
               human presence),
               blocking  of  surface  sheet  flow  or  other  hydrologic
               effects  (drainage, etc...),
          -    increased pollutant loadings,  and
               other impacts as described in Section 2.1.
                                   15

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     The actual  indirect cumulative Impacts  on wetlands within  a service
area will  depend on the rate  and  direction of induced growth.   Since  the
total acreage of  land  affected by induced growth is much greater than that
required  to construct  the WWTP  and associated  infrastructure,  indirect
cumulative impacts from facilities plan implementation will typically be of
far greater  magnitude  and extent  than the  primary (direct) impacts.   In
effect, Indirect  impacts are  an extension and amplification of  the primary
impacts, but extending  over  a larger geographical  area.   Indirect impacts
on wetlands will  be  focused,  however,  within the areas of greatest project
growth and development.  Effects  of  induced growth are therefore typically
of far greater significance than primary impacts.   At present, no methodol-
ogies are available specifically for analysis of indirect effects of facil-
ities  plan implementation on wetlands.   Available methods for  assessing
these generalized  effects  of  types  of  impacts are  summarized  in Sections
3.3.5 through 3.3.7.
                                   16

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3.0  LITERATURE REVIEW

     This  section summarizes the  recent literature  concerning  freshwater
wetland evaluation  methodologies.   Methods for evaluating  baseline  condi-
tions  (physical,  chemical and  biological)  as well  as  project-related im-
pacts are included.

     Sections 3.1 and 3.2 summarize two major literature reviews  on wetland
impact assessment methodologies that  have  been prepared recently.   Section
3.3 summarizes information on other methodologies available for  evaluating
impacts on wetlands  not included  (for the  most part)  in the  two  major
reviews summarized in Sections 3.1 and 3.2.

3.1  U.S.  Water Resources Council  (WRC) Study

     The publication  by  the  U.S.  Water Resources Council (WRC)  (Lonard et^
al.  1981)  is  significant because  it  constitutes  the  primary  source  of
documentation of  pre-1981 literature.   The report is a  detailed review of
previously published  wetland evaluation procedures.   It was  prepared for
the WRC  by the  U.S.  Army Corps of Engineers  Waterways  Experiment Station
(WES)  at  Vicksburg,  Mississippi  (the  reader should note  that  to  avoid
duplication,  only a  few of the final 20 papers selected for  detailed  analy-
sis in the WRC  study are discussed in detail again in the present  report).
The procedure used  by the WES  team was to first screen a  large number of
potential wetland evaluation methodologies in order to determine if they
fell into one or more of the  following functional categories:
  Major Functional Categories
  Habitat
Related Functional Subcategories
Common wetland plant and animal
  species
Endangered, threatened, or rare plant
  and animal species
Game species:
  - aquatic, terrestrial, avian
Commercial species
Nongame species
                                  17

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  Hydrologic                         Floodwater conveyance and storage
                                     Wave  energy dissipation and  shoreline
                                       protection
                                     Ground and surface water  supply,
                                       including recharge  and  discharge
                                     Water quality,  including  waste assim-
                                       ilation and sediment trapping

  Recreation                         Water-oriented  activities such as
                                       canoeing.  Other activities such as
                                       photography,  bird watching, and
                                       camping

  Agriculture/Silviculture           Cultivated crops
                                     Pastureland, hay crops, forestry
                                     Peat

  Heritage                           Landscape:
                                       - natural and unique areas
                                       - open space

                                     Cultural:
                                       - archaeological sites
                                       - historical  sites

                                     Scientific:
                                       - research
                                       - education

     The  study  also  examined  the  advantages and  disadvantages  of  each

selected methodology, identified where  methodologies were not available or

were of  limited  value  for defining wetland  functions,  and prepared recom-

mendations  for  improving the consistency of  available wetland  evaluation
methodologies.  Twenty documents were selected which met the screening cri-

teria listed  above.  These  were then analyzed  in further detail to deter-

mine:
          What wetland functions were analyzed;
          Geographic applicability;
          Personnel requirements;
          Data requirements;
          "Red Flag Features";
          Method flexibility;
          End products;
          Type of field work required; and
          Possible administrative uses.
                                  18

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     A profile  of  each methodology was developed  from  this analysis and a
series of  tables  was developed summarizing the  information.   These tables
are provided in Appendix B.  Abstracts of the 20 final methods selected are
presented in Appendix C.

3.1.1  Habitat Function

     Of  all  methodologies  reviewed,  those  involving  ecological  habitat
evaluations were determined to be the most thoroughly developed.  Twelve of
the 20 methods  reviewed dealt with habitat evaluation.  Appendix Table 8-1
lists the  types of habitat functions included by  each  of the 12 methodol-
ogies.   Habitat  functions included  abundance, distribution,  and diversity
of plant and animal populations; presence of rare and/or protected species;
and  types  and  abundance of  game  and commercial  species of  animals.   At
least five of  the  20 methodologies presented require use of an interdisci-
plinary evaluation team.

     Although well developed methods for evaluation of habitat function are
available,  the WRC study concluded that there is much room for improvement
since each method is  often  based  on various assumptions which  need to be
made  because  of  major  gaps  in scientific  knowledge.   For  example,  some
methods assume  that  selected groups of diverse plant or animal species are
reflective of  overall habitat  value.   Other types  of  assumptions  include
the following:  (1) that plant community structure defines wildlife habitat
requirements;   (2)  that  there is a  positive  relationship  between  habitat
diversity  and  wildlife  species  diversity;  and (3) that  there  is  a corre-
lation between  interdispersion of  vegetative  and wildlife  diversity (New
England Research,  Inc. 1980).

3.1.2  Hydrologic  Functions

     The WRC  team  concluded  that  although  the hydrologic  regime is  of
central importance in the functioning of all wetlands, wetland hydrology is
in general  poorly  understood and difficult to study because of its complex-
ity.   Analysis of  the hydrologic regime for a wetland requires measurements
                                  19

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of  water  quality,  groundwater  recharge,  storm  and floodwater  storage,
surface and  groundwater  discharge,  and evapotranspiration.  These measure-
ments require  substantial  expenditure  of labor and funds as well as use of
sophisticated  equipment.   Considerable  error  may  also  be  involved  in
attempting to establish a hydrologic budget (Winter 1980, 1981).

     Because of  this  basic lack of knowledge concerning wetland  hydrology,
few  hydrology  evaluation methodologies have been developed  (Lonard et^ al.
1981).  The  data base on  wetland hydrology  is  small.  Existing  data are
also  usually contradictory or  incomparable,  are qualitative, and/or have
been submitted to subjective interpretations (Stearns, Conrad, and Schmidt,
Consulting Engineers  1979).   More  research is  required before  the hydro-
logic functions  of  wetlands  can be well understood.   Carter  et  al. (1979)
identified five  areas  in which research on wetland hydrology is required.
These include:
        Improvement of existing measurement techniques;
        Determining hydrologic inputs and outputs;
        Improvement  of  understanding  of soil-water-vegetation  rela-
        tionships in wetlands;
        Long-term studies of wetland hydrology;  and
        Development of models.
They concluded  that  evaluation criteria must be developed  before adequate
management decisions regarding wetland hydrology can be made.   However, de-
velopment of  these criteria  will  ultimately require  additional  research.
The  ultimate  goal  should be  to develop  an  evaluation system  that  will
enable assessment of wetland hydrological values.  O'Brien and Motts (1980)
listed 29 factors  that are hydrogeologically significant in  wetlands, and
suggested combinations of  these  that could be used to classify wetlands in
various ways.

     Appendix Table  B-l  lists specific  hydrologic parameters  that  can be
measured  according  to several  methodologies  reviewed  by Lonard et  al.
(1981).  Three  of  the  methods require an interdisiplinary team.  Lonard et
al.  (1981) recommend that  the methods of Reppert  et  al. (1979) and Schul-
diner et al. (1979) be employed as a general means  of evaluating impacts on
                                  20

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wetland  hydrologic  functions.   The  method  described by  Reppert  et  al.
(1978)  assigns  qualitative  values  (high, moderate  or low)  to  individual
hydrologic variables, including parameters for:  (1) water quality improve-
ment; (2) groundwater  recharge;  (3) storm and  floodwater storage;  and (4)
shoreline  protection values.  The  method developed  by Schuldiner  et  al.
(1979) includes baseline data needs, sampling techniques, data sources, and
requires  expertise  for each hydrologic parameter  to  be measured.   Impacts
are displayed in flow charts and matrices.

3.1.3  Agricultural/Silvicultural Functions

     These  wetland   functions  include  provision of  forestry or food  pro-
ducts. Lonard et  al. (1981) concluded that many of  the issues surrounding
these wetland functions  are related to defining harvest value.  No method-
ology was identified that  documented the harvest value of a wetland, but a
good  data base exists  for determining standing crops of  trees and agri-
cultural  plants  (Niering  and Palmisano  1979).  Only  one  methodology was
identified  that  should  be  used to  evaluate  silvicultural  functions  of
wetlands  (USDA  1978)  (Appendix Table B-l).  However, the method applies to
the coast of  Massachusetts and would have to be modified for applicability
in  USEPA Region  V.  No methods for  specifically  assessing agricultural
functions were identified.

3.1.4  Recreation and Heritage Functions

     Lonard et  al.  (1981)  concluded that few methodologies  were identified
that  address  recreation and  heritage  values  of wetlands.   Such functions
include a wide  range of values such as boating, fishing,  photography, and
camping, and also historical, cultural, and aesthetic values.

     Four methodologies  (Appendix Table  B-l)  were  identified that  evaluate
the recreation  function.  Two other similar methods  also were Identified,
but these  require use  of  an interdisciplinary team.  Five  other  methods
were identified that require an Interdisciplinary team to identify heritage
values (Appendix  Table  B-l).   Niering  and Palmisano  (1979)  suggest a pro-
cedure for development of recreation and heritage evaluation methodologies.
                                  21

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     Lonard £t al^ (1981) recommended that the method developed by the USDA
(1978) for  coastal  Massachusetts  be used in the future to evaluate recrea-
tion  functions.   Again,  however,  this method must be  modified in order to
be  applied  in other areas  of  the country.  The method  of  Smardon (1972),
later included in a methodology developed by Larson (1976),  was recommended
for evaluation of heritage  functions.  Smardon's method could also be used
as  the  basis for  developing  means  of  evaluating other  "soclocultural"
aspects of wetlands (Lonard et_ a^. 1981).

3.1.5  Geographic Features

     Lonard  et  al.  (1981)  identified methodologies developed for several
geographic  regions,  including  the  glaciated northeast,  southeast coastal
area,  freshwater  wetlands  in the lower  Mississippi  River drainage system,
and for Arkansas.   Eight methods (Appendix Table B-2) were identified which
could be used (or modified for application) to inland and coastal wetlands.
Some of these methods,  however, would require major revisions to adapt them
to a different geographic area.

3.1.6  Personnel Needs/Administrative Conditions

     All  of  the  methods identified  by Lonard  et^ al_. (1981)  require the
expertise of an  individual who  has  "the technical  skills  to  perform  a
wetland evaluation" or  the  expertise of an  interdisciplinary  team of spe-
cialists (Appendix Table B-3).   The team approach usually requires a major
commitment of labor.  The method of Galloway £jt al_. (1978)  (Appendix Table
B-3)  uses a team of laymen representing local interests in addition to  a
resource manager and the technical interdisciplinary team.

3.1.7  Data Requirements

     Lonard  et  al.  (1981)  reported  that  the amount  of data required  to
conduct  each of  the wetland  evaluation  methods  reviewed  varied greatly
(Appendix Table B-4).   Projects involving use of an interdisciplinary team
                                  22

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require  the  largest  amounts  of  data.   Small-scale  projects  (typically
Involving  regulatory actions)  require  far  less  data.   Almost  all methods
require  at a  minimum, maps,  aerial  photographs, and  some type  of  field
survey.

     The "habitat"  type  methods  (for example, the USFWS Habitat Evaluation
Procedure and  the  USCOE  Habitat  Evaluation System) require data on vegeta-
tion  type  and distribution.  Both vegetation  and hydrologic  methods  typi-
cally must be monitored on a seasonal basis.

     All methods reviewed  by Lonard et al. (1981) require value judgments
by  an indivudual or  a team of specialists.  Value  judgments are  based on
the results of field experience  and judgment of the evaluator.   Some qual-
itative data are typically required in order to make such judgments in most
of  the methods reviewed.  Appendix Table B-4  summarizes additional infor-
mation concerning data requirements.

3.1.8  Red-Flag Features

     Red-flag features include those wetland characteristics that represent
an  outstanding natural  or cultural value.   Examples include presence of
protected  plant or  animal  species,  unique  geological  features  or  other
biological  resources  (for  example,  highly diverse  or  rare habitats), or
presence of archaeological resources of high value.

     Seven methods  were  identified  by  Lonard et  al.  (1981) as  including a
red-flag  feature that  identify  "key,  sensitive wetland  functions."   The
red-flag features are listed in  Appendix Table B-5.   Galloway (1978)  iden-
tified  nine  "initial  indicators" of  wetland value.  Methods developed by
Carson (1976), Gupta and Foster (1973), and Smardon (1972) use the red-flag
concept  extensively.   Schuldiner  et^ al.  (1979) employed  Carson's  (1976)
list  of red-flag  features  in  developing a  manual  for  assessing  highway
impacts on wetlands.   According  to  Carson's method, if  a wetland  contains
even  a single  red-flag  feature  it should  be  preserved.   Lonard et^ al.
(1981) note, however,  that nearly  all  wetlands  would possess at least one
such feature, and  that assignment  of red-flag values is  extremely subjec-
tive.
                                  23

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3.1.9  Flexibility/Responsiveness

     Lonard £t al.  (1981)  identified three methods that were  flexible  and
responsive but that also generated  relatively quick answers and were based
on  limited amounts  of data  (Appendix Table  B-6).   These  include  Carson
(1976), Reppert £t  al.  (1979),  and USFWS (1980).  Longer-term methods  and
interdisciplinary  team methods  require  much more  data  and  much  longer
periods  of time  to provide an  evaluation.   Six  of  the  methods  involved
differentiating between  "major"  and "minor" impacts (Appendix Table B-6).

3.1.10  End-Products/Evaluation Summary

     Fourteen  of  the  20 methodologies  reviewed by Lonard et  al.  (1981)
present a  means  for converting  site-specific data into a numerical index
for  rating the value  of wetlands  (Appendix Table B-6).   The  typical end-
product  is a  narrative describing  the  overall  value  of the  wetland as
"low,"  "moderate,"  or "high."   The  method of Galloway (1978)  uses  a com-
puter and presents the summary in a graphics display.   HEP (USFWS 1980)  can
be done manually  or by computer, but  the manual  method is far more labor-
ious.   Two other  methods  (Schuldiner et_ al. 1979; Solomon et^ al.  1977)
include a  flow chart  and matrix (or a coefficient  matrix) (Appendix Table
B-6).

     The WRC study  noted  that  use of  a numerical  rating system may result
in  regulatory  difficulties where low  values are assigned (because  such a
rating  implies  that a  wetland  would have little value).   However,  such a
rating system has  the  advantage  of presenting results  of  complex  analysis
in a summary form that is more usable for resource managers.

3.1.11  Field Testing

     Lonard et^ al.  (1981)  concluded that there is a need for field testing
of  the various  methodologies for evaluating wetlands  (Appendix Table B-5)
and that decision-makers should be actively involved in this process.  This
will ultimately lead  to improvements in the quality of resource management
decisions.   The   study  recommended  that  further  field testing  of quanti-
                                  24

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tative methods such as HEP and HES as well as purely qualitative methods be
tested and compared in the future.

3.1.12  Applicability of Methodologies to Agency Needs

     The applicability  of  the  methods reviewed by Lonard  et  al.  (1981) to
the needs  of  various  government agencies is  summarized  in Appendix Tables
B-7 and  B-8.  Agency  requirements include:  (1)  project  planning and  site
selections; (2)  regulatory actions;  (3)  impact assessments;  (4) resource
management; and  (5) acquisition needs (the needs listed in Appendix Tables
B-7 and  B-8 were assigned by Lonard  et^ al^  (1981),  and not necessarily by
the original creators of each methodology).

     Several  methods  were determined to be  applicable to  project planning
and site selection  procedures  (Appendix Table B-7).   Most of these require
an  interdisciplinary  team and (usually) relatively  large  amounts of field
data.   Methodologies useful  in regulatory  actions generally  require  less
data since they  are used to produce  answers  in short time periods.  These
methods require "moderate levels of technical skills, data requirements and
degrees  of accuracy,"   but  do  require  an  experienced  resource manager.
Eleven methodologies  were  identified that address regulatory actions.   Six
methods  reviewed  involve on-site  impact  assessments,  and  all  of  these
methods  require   use  of  an interdisciplinary  team.   Seven   methods  were
identified that  would meet management needs, and  these  have  only moderate
time and data requirements (Appendix Table B-7).

     Twelve of  the methods  reviewed by Lonard  et al.  (1981) require low
levels  of  man-power  and data  and  could be  used  to  determine  mitigation
procedures.  Methods such as HEP (USFWS 1980), HES (USCOE 1980),  and Schul-
diner et^ al_.  (1979) include mitigation but the full level analysis requires
more extensive amounts of data (Appendix Table B-7).

     Lonard et al.  (1981)  also identified eleven methods that define means
by  which  wetlands can  be acquired  for  preservation.   None  require  large
amounts of data or manpower.   Fried (1974) presented  a method for  acquiring
wetlands in  the  state of  New  York,  as well as discussion  of the monetary
value of wetlands.
                                  25

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3.1.13  Conclusions and Recommendations of the WRC Study


     Lonard et  al.  (1981)  concluded their report by making a set of recom-

mendations  concerning means  of improving  the existing  methodologies for
evaluating  wetlands.   The  primary  conclusions are as  follows  (quoted di-

rectly from Lonard et al.  1981):
     •  Progress is being  made  in the improvement of wetlands habitat
        evaluation instruments and no specific actions are recommended
        at this time;

     •  A  two-phased  approach should be taken  to  improve the assess-
        ment of hydrology  values  of wetlands that include the identi-
        fication  of   scientific  data gaps  and  the development  of a
        specific  research  program  that addresses  technical  gaps  as
        they are related to management needs;

     •  No  specific  immediate   recommendations are  made  concerning
        agriculture,  recreation,  and heritage  functions  of wetlands.
        However,  the  study  team recommended  actions that  should  be
        considered in the future;

     •  Criteria and  parameters  that emphasize specific wetland types
        and regions should be developed for inclusion in methodologies
        that were originally developed for widespread use;

     •  Personnel  skill  levels  should  be  stated  for  new or existing
        methodologies;

     •  Data requirements  are spelled  out  fairly  well for most wet-
        lands evaluation procedures; therefore, no recommendations are
        made to improve this feature of evaluation instruments;

     •  Red flag features should be used to indicate wetlands that re-
        quire further detailed analysis;

     •  A well-organized field testing program should not be conducted
        at  the  present time  until  inconsistencies of  individual me-
        thodologies are  identified  and  improved.   Field  testing ex-
        periments  should  continue  on  individual  methodologies  in a
        variety of geographical areas and wetland types; and

     •  Various state and Federal agencies  involved  in wetlands man-
        agement activities  should assess and  communicate their needs
        for  specific   evaluation instruments   to  authors  of  method-
        ologies.
                                  26

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     The study reviewed several additional reports on wetlands that did not
meet the  screening criteria  and  evaluation standards  applied.   These are
listed  in  Appendix D.   These documents were either  not methodologies for
evaluating wetland  functions,  or  they evaluated wetlands on a purely mone-
tary basis.

3.2  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Literature Review

     The  U.S.  Fish  and Wildlife  Service  (Nelson  £t  al.  1982c)  recently
published a manual  designed  to assist state governments in developing and
implementing  fish and  wildlife requirements  of  the  Section 404 program
(Nelson _e_t_ al. 1982c).  The manual includes a major section that reviews
available  methods  for  evaluating  impacts  of  404  activities on aquatic
resources  (including  wetlands).   Since these methods could also be used to
address  primary   impacts  of   201  activities, they are  presented here  in
summary form.  This  section  summarizes the information presented in Nelson
et  al.  (1982c) concerning available  impact evaluation methods.   Although
not all methods discussed  may apply specifically  to  wetlands, most do, or
could  be  modified  to be  used in  wetland  assessments.  In  addition, the
review  provides   a  useful  presentation  of  the range of types  of methods
available.

     The types of methods  reviewed include:  (1) checklists; (2) matrices;
(3) networks; (4)  mapping;  (5) indices; (6) habitat assessment systems; and
(7) ecosystem  modeling  (note:  where  these methods  have already  been re-
viewed  in  this report  they  are  cross-referenced to  previous  sections).

3.2.1  Checklists

     Checklists are  the simplest  means  of identifying potential environ-
mental impacts.   The  advantages of checklists are: (1) they aid the evalu-
ator's memory, ensuring  that  the analysis is complete;  and (2)  the method
helps   in  identifying  important issues.   The main disadvantages  are  that
major impacts may be  overlooked if they are not included on the checklist,
and that the checklist is strictly a qualitative means of assessing Impacts
                                  27

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(and is  thus  of  limited value in quantifying degree of impact).   The study
identified  four  types  of checklists  that  can  be  used  in  environmental
impact assessments.  These include:  (1)  simple;  (2) descriptive;  (3) scal-
ing; and  (4)  scale-weighting  checklists  (Canter  et_ al^> 1977).  The simple
checklist  provides a  list  of  impacts  that could  occur but  a  means  of
further  interpretation  if not  included  (Table 3.2-1).   In  addition  to  a
list  of  potential project  impacts,  the  descriptive  checklist  may  also
provide a means of subjectively estimating the degree of probability of any
potential  adverse impacts  (Table 3.2-2).    In the scaling checklist,  the
expected degree of impact is  estimated for  each  expected parameter (Table
3.2-3).  When  a weighting factor is assigned to  each  parameter,  the scale
checklist  becomes  scale-weighted (Table 3.2-4).   Weights may be assigned
mathematically or subjectively.   Appendix  E  includes the  set  of scale-
weighted  checklists  developed  in Nelson  et al.  (1982c)  to address  four
additional impact  categories  (physical  factors;  chemical  factors; biologi-
cal factors;  land and  water  use; and other factors)  associated with 404
activities.  Many of  these relate directly to the effects  of  sewer pipeline
construction and  other  activities commonly associated with  201  plan imple-
mentation.

3.2.2  Matrices

     In  the matrix method,  a  set  of  cause-and-effect  relationships are
depicted by cross-referencing baseline conditions against a  list  of poten-
tial impacts.  Matrices  differ  from checklists in that they  relate specific
project actions to individual  impacts  (i.e., the matrix is more specific).
The primary advantage  of  the  matrix is that it provides a systematic means
of  evaluating  project   impacts.   Most  matrices also use  numbers  to assess
the degree or magnitude of potential impacts.  The advantages of  the matrix
are that:  (1)  they are useful as a  means  of preliminary  analysis (i.e.,  a
screening  tool);  and (2)  they provide for a more thorough consideration of
all potential  impacts,  including the interactions of  various project  com-
ponents  in  producing   specific   environmental  effects  (Greenberg  et  al.
1978).   The  main  disadvantages  are that:  (1) analytical  "overkill" (over-
analysis  of minor or   irrelevant issues)  may  result; (2)  it  is  hard  to
compare  alternatives with a  matrix system  (a shortcoming especially rele-
                                  28

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     _ 1.  Filled waterway or marshes
     _ 2.  Deepening
     _ 3.  Obstructing
     _4.  Shoaling
     _5.  Segmentation
     _ 6.  Habitat isolation
     _ 7.  Draining wetland
     _ 8.  Flooding wetland
     _ 9.  Bulkhead, dike, levees
     JO.  Diversion of freshwater
           sources
     _11.  Modification of tidal
           Intrusion
_12.   Modification  of water
      circulation
_13.   Increased fertility
_14.   Reduced fertility
_15.   Increased turbidity
_16.   Noxious odor
_17.   Tributary flow control
_18.   Saltwater barrier
_19.   Convert to fresh water
_20.   Modification  of substrata
_21.   Pollution (specify type)
_22.   Shoreline erosion
 23.   Other
Table 3.2-1.  Fish and Wildlife Service checklist of potential  environmental
     alterations resulting from dredge and fill activities  (from Hubbard and
     Blair 1979).
                                     29

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II.  Environmental Impacts                              Yes     Maybe     No


1.  Water.  Will the proposal result in:

a.  Changes in currents, or the course or
    direction of water movements, in fresh waters?     	    	    	

b.  Changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns,
    or the rate and amount of surface water runoff?    	    	    	

c.  Alterations to the course or flow of flood
    waters?                                            	    	    	

d.  Change in the amount of surface water in any
    water body?                                        ___^.    	    _	

e.  Discharge into surface waters, or in any
    alteration of surface water quality, including
    but not limited to temperature, dissolved
    oxygen, or turbidity?                              	    	    	

f.  Change in the quantity of ground waters,
    either through direct additions or withdrawals,
    or through interception of an aquifer by cuts
    or excavations?                                    	    	    	

g.  Deterioration in ground water quality, either
    through direct injection, or through the
    seepage of leachate, phosphates, detergents,
    waterborne virus or bacteria, or other
    substances into the ground water?                  	    	    	
Table 3.2-2.  Part of a checklist used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to
        assess  impacts of dredging and filling projects  (from Hubbard and Blair
        1979).
                                        30

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Impact
                                                Anticipated Magnitude of Impact

                                                 Very     Moderately      Less
severe
severe
severe
A.  Ground water quality

Factors

1.  Leachate production and potential
    migration to ground water

2.  Water table fluctuations which can
    result in leachate production

3.  Intense or extended precipitation
    resulting in leachate production
  Table 3.2-3.  Part of a scaling  checklist used to assess impacts of upland disposal
          of dredged materials  (from SCS Engineers 1977).
                                          31

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     Classes of
  Factors  in Level
 of Adverse Impact
  Individual  Factors for Consideration
      ,            Scaling-3
Factor1   Factor*   Weighting
Scale    Weight     Product
(0-3)    (1-5)     (0-15)
 Type of operations:

 • GENERAL NATURE
 0 STRUCTURAL
   FEATURES

 • DREDGING4 AND DIS-
   CHARGE EQUIPMENT

 • TRANSPORTATION
   ROUTES AND
   EQUIPMENT


 Scale of operations:

 • STRUCTURAL
   FEATURES
 • TRANSPORTATION*
 • MATERIAL
   PLACEMENT
 Timing of operations:
 • DURATION


 • SCHEDULING
Maintenance,  continuation of existing
work, or new  work?
Open water, wetland, or confined upland
disposal?
Dredging or excavating,* fill, or spoil
disposal?
Temporary roads,  pipelines, navigation
channels, or  stream diversions?
Mechanical or hydraulic equipment?
Potential overflow or handling discharge?
Hopper dredges, barges, pipelines, or
trucks?
Open water, wetland or upland routes?
How extensive 1s  road, pipeline, channel,
dike, dam and bulkhead construction?
What transportation distances?*
What volume of truck or barge traffic or
pipeline transport?
What surface area and average depth of
material removal* or placement?
What average or maximum change in substrate
or soil excavation?
What portion of a productive, sensitive or
unique area affected?
Long-term and continuous or short-term and
periodic or seasonal?

Are critical  periods or seasons avoided
(heavy rain, wind or waves, low flows;
migration, spawning, nesting, and rearing)?

SUBTOTALS
  1.  Level of impact for each factor  is scaled insignificant (0), minor  (1), moderate (2), or
  major  (3).
  2.  Factor weight from low (1)  to  high (5) is assigned based on  relative  Importance of each
  factor.
  3.  Scale  value is multiplied  by  numerical weight.
  4.  Not explicitly covered under Section 404 of Clean Water Act.
Table 3.2-4. Assessment scale-weighting  checklists  for type,  scale;and timing
          factors associated with dredge and fill activities (Nelson  and Associates
          Inc.,  1981).
                                                 32

-------
vant to facilities planning); (3) the matrix analysis centers not on inter-
pretation of  impacts but  merely on  impact  identification;  and  (4)  eval-
uation consistency may vary between persons conducting the analysts.

     A  variety of  matrix types  has been  developed.   These  include:  (1)
descriptive/interaction  types;  (2)  scaling  and scale-weighted  types;  and
(3) stepped matrices.  An example of the descriptive matrix method is given
in Table  3.2-5.  In this method  (Yorke  1978),  the  first descriptive matrix
relates various project  activities  to physical-chemical impacts.  A second
matrix  is then used  to translate these into  biological  impacts.   The im-
pacts are described verbally in all cases (although the USFWS may ultimate-
ly  develop  a  quantitative  means  of  conducting this  analysis).   In  the
interactive matrix (Figure 3.2-1) potential impacts associated with project
features  are   cross-referenced  with bullets.   In  the scaling  type matrix
(Figure 3.2-2), project  activities  are rated with respect to  their poten-
tial to produce impacts.  In this method, impacts at alternate sites can be
effectively compared  with  a  single format.   Scale-weighted matrices can be
used  to assign an  indication of the magnitude  and  relative importance of
various  impacts  (Figure  3.2-3).   The  advantage  of this  method  is  that
trade-offs  of various   alternatives are  identified effectively (Boiling
1978).  The method  also distinguishes between impact magnitude and import-
ance (Greenberg et al^. 1978).

     In  the  stepped matrix  approach,  a series  of  interlinked  impact ma-
trices  are  used  to  analyze  chains  of  interactive,  physical,  chemical and
biological  events  (the  Yorke  method  discussed above  is actually  a  two-
generation stepped matrix) (Yorke  1978).   Because the Yorke method derives
impacts based  on scientific  literature and formally catalogs this informa-
tion, it  has  been  cited as being more objective than other matrix methods.
Trial et  al.   (1980)  adopted and modified  this method as  a  water resource
planning  tool.   The method  can also be used  to predict  long-term "chain"
reaction  impacts,  an advantage directly relating  to 201  projects.   Nelson
et  al.  (1982c)  produced a  dual matrix  for  use  in 404  related projects
(Figures 3.2-4 and 3.2-5).
                                  33

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  PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL
    CHARACTERISTIC
                     ASSOCIATED IMPACT
  Depth and Stage
  Water Surface
  Area
  Channel
  Configuration
  Water
  Velocity
  Temperature
  Suspended
  Solids
Channel enlargement eliminates the diversity of water depths
associated with natural meandering channels.  Pools and
riffles are replaced by uniformly deep or uniformly shallow
reaches of channels.  Enlarged channels will carry a greater
percentage of flow during floods which will  reduce the depth
and duration of flood plain overflow.  If the channels are
deepened, stages will be lowered during dry periods which
will promote the drainage of adjacent wetlands.

Deepening will create nearly uniform surface areas through-
out the year.  The shallow water zone near the banks which
is exposed during dry periods and inundated during wet
periods will be reduced in area.  Widening will increase
surface area and the variability of water surface area.
Spoil areas resulting from the excavations will reduce the
flood plain area subject to periodic flooding.

Enlargement will create uniform conditions.   Pools, riffles,
undercut banks, and other diverse habitats will be elimi-
nated.

Mean water velocities will be reduced because of an increase
in cross-sectional area.  Velocities will be more uniform
throughout the cross section.  Areas of high and low
velocity will be eliminated.

Widening will increase water temperature and the range of
temperatures because of the greater water surface area, the
reduced velocity, and the elimination of shade by removal
of stream bank vegetation.  These actions increase the
effect on insolation.  Deepening will have minimal impact on
temperature as long as stream bank vegetation is not dis-
turbed.  Disposal of excavated or dredged material in the
adjacent flood plains will increase water temperature
because stream-side vegetation is usually removed or des-
troyed by the construction equipment or suffocated by the
deposits.

The construction phase of channel enlargement will increase
the concentration and discharge of suspended solids at the
site and downstream.  This will increase the rate of sedi-
ment deposition in the channel and/or flood plain at down-
stream sites.  Sediment discharge will decrease after con-
struction, but it may persist at higher than normal levels
for a number of years as the stream channels adjust to new
flow regimes.  Reaches of deepened channels may become sinks
and aggrade rapidly with fine sand and silt.
Table 3.2-5.  Descriptive matrix illustrating physical and chemical impacts of
        river channel dredging (enlargement)  (from Yorke 1978).
                                          34

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  PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL
   CHARACTERISTIC
                     ASSOCIATED IMPACT
  Bed Material
  Dissolved
  Substances
  Light
  Transmissivity
  Flow
  Variability
Both widening and deepening will disrupt the equilibrium of
the stream channel and the bed material and create a period
of constantly changing bed conditions.  Deepening will
remove the armor layer of the stream bed, which will cause
an increase in bed material movement until large particles
restabilize the surface.  Channel widening may increase bed
load as additional fine bed material is available for trans-
port or it may decrease the bed load and cause deposition
because the increased cross-sectional area severely reduces
the competence of the channel for transporting bed material.
Removal of organic material from the bed will reduce both
food sources and the diversity of substrates available to
benthic organisms.  Removal of stream-side vegetation during
construction may reduce substantially the source of detritus
that is added to the system annually.
Construction will increase the total dissolved solids eroded
from newly exposed soils.  Nutrients, pesticides, heavy
metals, and other substances that were bound to bottom sedi-
ments may be released to the system.  The disturbances of
organic bed material and the release of nutrients may
increase the biochemical oxygen demand and cause oxygen
deficiencies downstream.  Enlargement, particularly deepen-
ing, may promote increase in agricultural drainage and con-
comitant increases in salts, nutrients, and pesticides with
surface runoff.  Increased channel capacity will  reduce
overflow and the use of the flood plain for assimilation of
organic nutrients and wastes.

Construction activities will reduce light transmissivity at
the site and at downstream locations because of increased
sediment loads.  This condition may persist for many years
as stream banks adjust to new flow regimes.  A more effi-
cient channel  and ancillary drains will increase runoff and
the silt and clay loads which will reduce light trans-
missivity.
The range in- water discharge will increase.  Peak flows will
be higher and low flows will be lower.  Improved channel
conveyance will cause flood waters to move quickly through
enlarged channels and concentrate at some point downstream.
This results in higher peak discharges and a shorter dura-
tion of flooding.  Deepening a channel will increase drain-
age from adjacent flood plains, which will increase the rate
of ground water discharge and decrease the amount of water
available to sustain base flow during dry periods.   The
deepened channel  also may penetrate through an impermeable
or semi-impermeable layer beneath the stream bed, resulting
in dewatering the channel as water is discharged to the
ground water system.
Table 3.2-5.  Descriptive matrix illustrating physical and  chemical impacts of
        river channel dredging (enlargement) (from Yorke  1978)  (concluded).
                                        35

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                         ACTIVITIES
       ENVIRONMENTAL
           EVENTS
                                                M
                                                         I
                                                                      e»
                                                                         LU
                                                                                   n
                                                                              I
                                                                              55

    WATER
   QUALITY
                1.BOD
                2. Dissolved Oxygen
                3. Nutrients
                4. Pathogens
                5. Ftoatables
                6. Odors and Tastes
                7. Color
                8. Toxicity
                9. Dissolved Salts
               10. Suspended Solids
               11. Radiological
               12. Temperature
               13. pH Buffering
               14. Ground Water
      AIR
   QUALITY
               15. Particulates
               16 Gases
               17. Erosion
               18. Deposition and Accretion
   PHYSICAL
  PROCESSES
               19. Subsidence
20. Hydraulics
               21. Devegetation
               22. Infiltration
               23. Ponding
               24. Photosynthesis
  BIOLOGICAL
  PROCESSES
               25. Consumers. Food Chain
               26. Decomposition
               27 Preaation
Figure  3.2-1.  Interaction matrix linking project activities  with  associated
       environmental elements or  effects  (Texas  Department of Water Resources
       1977).
                                                 36

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Study
Area
Protect Activity
of Impact
dredging
Channel
Widening and
Straightening
Pier and Piling
Construction
Road
Construction
Increased
Turbidity
Nutrient
Loading
Evaluative
Parameter
Depth (ft)
Extent (ft)
and Bank
Habitat
Area (sq ft)
and Habitat
Affected
Length (ft)
and Habitat
Affected
Suspended
Solids
(mgl)
Nitrate and
Phosphate
Levels
(mgl)
Ste#l
Current
Parameter
Value
8-12
0
0
0
Low
Low
Projected
Parameter
Value
25
0
300
100
(dirt)
Medium
Medium
Habitat
Affected
•Lake
•Sand Bar
Mud Flats
None
•Lake
•Uplands
•Lake
•Lake
Impact
Severity
1
3
0
0
0
1
1
Ste*2
Current
Parameter
Value
12
100
0
0
Medium
Low
Protected
Parameter
Value
40
140
0
0
High
High
Habitat
Affected
•Stream
Channel
• Wetlands
•Beach or
Banks
• Banks
None
None
• Stream
Channel
•Lake
• Stream
Channel
•Lake
Impact
Seventy
2
3
2
2
0
0
2
1
2
2
Key
 -1  Beneficial
  0  No impact
  1  Slight detriment
2  Significant adverse impact
3  Severe adverse impact
• Impact severity will be evaluated based on guidelines for each parameter associated with a given habitat type.
  Figure  3.2-2.  Impact  severity matrix for  scaling  comparative  impacts at two
     alternative sites  for marina construction (from Nelson et al. 1977).
                                            37

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INSTRUCTIONS
1 . Identify all actions (located across the top of
of the proposed project.
2. Under each of the proposed actions, place
tion with each item on the side of the matrix i
3. Having completed the matrix, in the upper I
box with a slash, place a number from 1 to
MAGNITUDE of the possible impact: 10 r
magnitude of impact and 1 , the least (nc
number place + if the impact would be ben«
hand corner of the box place a number from
the IMPORTANCE of the possible impact (
1 0 represents the greatest importance and
4. The text which accompanies the matrix
should be a discussion of the significant
impacts, those columns and rows with
large numbers of boxes marked and
individual boxes with the larger num-
bers.


the matrix) that are part
a slash at the intersec-
f an impact is possible.
eft-hand corner of each
1 0 which indicates the
epresents the greatest
zeroes). Before each
jficial. In the lower right-
1 to 1 0 which indicates
e.g. regional vs. local):
1 , the least (no zeroes).
SAMPLE MATRIX

a
b

a



b
^
'4

c d e
^ E
EEE

PROPOSED ACTIONS
PHYSICAL AND
CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS
X
2. WATER
a-. Mineral resources
b. Construction materials
c. Soils
d. Land form
e. Force fields and background raoiation
f . Unique physical features
a. Surface
b. Ocean
c. Underground
d. Quality
e. Temperature
f. Recharge
g. Snow, ice and permafrost
A. MODIFICATION OF REGIME
a. Exotic flora or fauna introduction
b. Biological controls
c. Modification of habitat










































teration of ground cover
•d














e. Alteration of ground water hydrology
f . Alteration of drainage
g. River control and flow modification
h. Canalization
i. Irrigation
j. Weather modification
k. Burning
1. Surf ace or paving
m. Noise and vibration






























































































































Figure 3.2-3. Portion of Leopold interaction matrix with instructions for
       scaling and weighting impacts Cfrom Greenberg et al. 1978).
                                        38

-------
             l/l

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  Dredge or Fill Project Activity

  DREDGING
  • Navigation channels
  • Drainage channels
  • Irrigation channels
  • Stream  channelization
  • Stream  diversion
  t Pipeline construction
  t Port/marina construction
  • Placer  mining

  SPOIL DISPOSAL
    Upland—contained
    Open water/wetland—contained
    Open water/wetland--uncontained

   ILLING
    Landfills, bulkheading
    Road/bridge construction
    Dam/dike/levee construction
    Causeway/jetty construction
    Bank/shore protection
    Marsh/island development
Figure 3.2-4.  Matrix for linking dredge and  fill activities with physical and
     chemical  effects (from Nelson and Associates Inc. 1981).
                                              39

-------
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3.2.3  Networks

     In a network,  sequential  relationships between project activities and
subsequently, physical,  chemical and biological  effects,  are established.
In  essence,  the network  is  an  expanded  matrix,  but  the  network analysis
allows cumulative impacts  to  be analyzed (Jain et_ _al^  1981).  The primary
advantage of  network analysis is that  it can be used  to  show how several
impacts are produced  by  individual  actions (Golden et^.  1979).  However,
networks also  tend  to become  too large and confusing  (Duke  et_ al^  1977).

     Three general  types of network  methods include:  (1) food  webs;  (2)
energy transfer  models;  and  (3) analytical networks  (including "decision
trees").   Foodweb models (Figures 3.2-6, 3.2-7, and 3.2-8)  may be either in
pictorial or diagrammatic  form.   While  these would be  useful in depicting
baseline conditions in wetlands  or  other community types,  they would be of
limited value  for detailed impact analysis.  The analytical  network (Fig-
ures  3.2-9,  3.2-10  and  3.2-11)  are  an effective  means of  determining
cause-and-effect relationships between  project  activities  and interrelated
impacts.   They can  also  be used as an effective means to analyze secondary
and  tertiary  (terms  here used  to  define  chain  reaction  impacts and not
induced growth impacts)  effects  (Figure 3.2-11).   A decision tree utilizes
a  dichotomizing  "yes/no"  key  to determine  impacts  (Figure  3.2-12).   The
decision tree may be used to ensure that exhaustive coverage of all project
impacts is  achieved  and  as  a means of flagging  potentially  important and
major issues surrounding project implementation.

3.2.4  Mapping

     Various methods  are  available  in which mapping can be used to analyze
impacts  on  water resources  including  watersheds,   wetlands, and  aquatic
ecosystems.  The advantages of  using mapping for conducting impact analysis
include:  (1)  the  ability  to  depict spatial  distribution  of  impacts;  (2)
ability to  depict  habitat types,  sensitive areas (i.e.,  wetlands)  or key
resources;  and (3)  ability to  compare projected impacts of various project
alternatives.   Specific mapping techniques include:  (1) habitat classifica-
tion  and  ecological  maps;   (2)  analytical  overlays;  and  (3)  photo-
interpretation.
                                  41

-------
       Bacteria
          I

            Autotrophic
           Phytoplankton
                                     Nutritive Substances
Figure 3.2-6.  Diagram of a  freshwater aquatic food web  (Jrrom Welch J.952)
                                             42

-------
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43

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                                              Export Downstream
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                                              44

-------
Level
  1
                                Cover Type
                           (Riverine or Lacustrine)
Level
  2
 Riffles.
  Runs
(Riverine)
                                           r_
  Pools.
Backwaters
 (Riverine)
                                           A
 Littoral Zone
- Near Shore -
 (Lacustrine)
                                                                                  Limnetic Zone
                                                                                — Open Water -
                                                                                  (Lacustrine)
Level
  3
      \
                                                              A

On a
Substrate



In Water
Column


Level
  4
                 Rocky
                Substrate
                                        L
                     Plants
                   Mud, Sand,
                   Plant Debris
                       Ljfij^a
                       notes,
                      Cavities
 Figure 3.2-9.  Network illustrating various habitat components for a riverine
       or lacustrine  cover type  at four levels  Cfrom USFWS 1980),
                                                 45

-------
                                   Model Components
Model Variables
                                    Food
                                    Cover
  Channel Catfish
                                   Water Quality
                                                                         Percent pools
                                                                         during average
                                                                         summer flows
                                                                         Substrate type
                                                                         in riffle-run
                                                                         segments
                                                                         Maximum monthly
                                                                         average turbidity
                                                                         in summer
                               (V.)
                                                                                             (V,)
                                                                                             (V,
                               (V,)
                               (V,
                                                                         Average midsummer
                                                                         water temperature
                                                                         in pools, backwaters   (v>)
                               (V,
                                   t Reproduction
                                                                         Percent cover
                                                                         during average
                                                                         summer flows
                               (V2)
                               (V,)
                                                                                             (V.)
                                                                         Minimum dissolved
                                                                         oxygen in pools in
                                                                         midsummer
Figure 3.2-10. Network diagram of  relationships among components of  a channel
      catfish habitat  suitability model  Cfrom  USFWS  1980).

                                               46

-------
                                                                         CO
                                                                         03
                                                                         o
                                                                         u
                                                                         
-------
                        MAN'S
                        ACTIVITY
   SECTOR
   DEVELOPMENT
                          Coastal
                          Construction
                          Inland
                          Construction
                          Excavation of
                          Canals
                          Dredging and Spod
                          Disposal
                          Excavation
                                                 ENVIRONMENTAL
                                                 EVENTS

                                                  ftotogical Oxygen Demand
                                                  Dissolved Oxygen
                                                   Nutrients
                                                  Odors and Tastes
                                                  Color
                                                  Toxicity
                                                   Dissolved Salts
                                                   Suspenced Solids
Temperature
                                                   pH Buffering
                                                   Erosion
                                                   Oevegetation
                                                   Infiltration
                                                   Ponding
                        x
                                                  Deposition and Accretion
                                                   Hydraulics
                        x
                        X
                                 USES
                                 RESTRICTED

                                   Aesthetics
                                   Commercial Fishing
                                                                                     Manculture
                                                                                     Recreation
                                                   Predatwn
                                                                                     Preservation of Fish Wildlife
                                                                                     Transportation
                                                                                     Recreation
Residential Construction
                                   Preservation of Fish Wildlife
                                   Aesthetics
                                   Commercial Fishing
                                   Manculture
                                                                                     Recreation
                                   Preservation of Fish Wildlife
Draining -x \V\
|
1
Oevegetation ^
Photosynthesis ys
Consumers Food Cham
Decomposition vx iSS^
Aesthetics
V Commercial Fishing
\\\
                                                                                      Manculture
                                                                                      Recreation
                                                                                      Preservation of Fish Wildlife
Figure  3.2-12. Decision  tree  illustrating  effects  of  surface  mining and  associated
       dredging and  filling  (Texas Department of Water  Resources  1977).
                                                        48

-------
     Maps  are a  particularly  good  means  of  depicting habitat  types and
project-related effects  on  existing  natural habitats.  An example is shown
in  Figure  3.2-13,  in which  two alternate sites for  a  proposed marina are
depicted.  The effects of each plan on existing wetlands can easily be seen
from this  map.   The USFWS has recently  developed  a habitat classification
scheme that  can  be used in defining wetlands  in USEPA Region V (Lonard et^
al. 1981)  (Figure 3.2-14).  An example of the application of this system by
the USFWS  National Wetland  Inventory  is shown  in Figure  3.2-15.   Figure
3.2-16 is  an illustration of one of the major USFWS habitat types as pre-
sented in Cowardin e_t^ _aJL (1979).  Ecological "key" maps are also available
and can  be used  to depict wetland or  other resources within a larger geo-
graphical  area (Figure  3.2-17).   However, these may be prepared at a smal-
ler  scale.   Key  maps  are  useful because  they  identify major  important
resources within a given (large) geographic area in a small amount of text.
Such a map could prove valuable in  conducting  cumulative  impact analyses.

     Map overlay techniques  have been  used  for many  years as  an  impact
evaluation  technique.   In this  method,  mylar overlays  of  either baseline
conditions  or project alternatives  are  superimposed on  a base  map.   For
example,  baseline  distribution  of   wetland  types  within  a  facilities
planning service area  could  be prepared on one overlay.  Impacts of alter-
native interceptor configurations could then be determined by superimposing
areas  of  projected  induced  growth  on  the  existing  wetland  distribution,
thereby illustrating which areas would be affected either directly (habitat
elimination)  or   indirectly  (i.e.,  urban  runoff,   etc...).   Methods  of
mapping  environmental resources  of all types (including wetlands) with the
aid of  a  computer are  available  through the  USFWS (USFWS  1979).   These
include  digitizing geographic  information  through the Wetland Analytical
Mapping  System  (WAMS),  and an interactive system  called  Map  Overlay and
Statistical System  (MOSS) (however,  these systems require an existing data
base which  is not  yet complete for  the  midwest).   The  USEPA's EPIC labor-
atories  also provide  a means  of  mapping wetlands  using  color  and  color
infra-red photography.  The  State of  Wisconsin will have mapped all of that
state's  wetlands  at a  scale  of 1:24,000  (1  inch =  2,000 feet)  by  1 July
1983 (Figure 3.2-18).
                                  49

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     -gggj Open Bay
     •.  j Wet Meadow
     . * "\ Fresh Marsh
          Sand Dunes
     /vt'\ Dredged Mooring Basin
     IZH Dredged Access Channel
       — Access Road
          Manna Site
          Access Highway
Figure 3.2-13.  Map of a wetland area under  consideration  for construction  of
     a marina involving channel dredging and  mooring basin  at .two alternative
     sites  (in Nelson et al.  1982c, adapted from Reppert  et al.  1979).
                                           50

-------
         Svscem
                                         Subsystem
                                                                         Class
      i— Marine -
I
a
K
u
<
CL
u-
fal
Q
Q
Z
<
I

I
u
                                        -Subtidal-
                                        -Intertidal-
        -Estuarine-
                                        -Subtidal-
                                        -Intertidal-
— Riverine -
                                       • Tidal-
                                 - Lower Perennial •
                                 -Upper Perennial -
      —Lacustrme-
                                       - Intermittent -


                                       - Limnetic	
                                       - Littoral -
      — Palustrme-
                                                                   §Rock Bottom
                                                                   Unconsolidated Bottom
                                                                   Aquatic Bed
                                                                   Reef

                                                                r— Aquatic Bed
                                                                I-Reef
                                                               ~j— Rocky Shore
                                                                I—Unconsolidated Shore
-Rock Bottom
—Unconsolidated Bottom
-Aquatic Bed
-Reef

- Aquatic Bed
-Reef
-Streambed
- Rocky Shore
- Unconsolidated Shore
- Emergent Wetland
- Scrub-Shrub Wetland
- Forested Wetland

- Rock Bottom
- Unconsolidated Bottom
- Aquatic Bed
- Rocky Shore
- Unconsolidated Shore
- Emergent Wetland

- Rock Bottom
- Unconsolidated Bottom
- Aquatic Bed
- Rocky Shore
- Unconsolidated Shore
- Emergent Wetland

- Rock Bottom
-Unconsolidated Bottom
-Aquatic Bed
- Rocky Shore
- Unconsolidated Shore

-Streambed
                                                                  ERock Bottom
                                                                  Unconsolidated Bottom
                                                                  Aquatic Bed

                                                                 - Rock Bottom
                                                                 -Unconsolidated Bottom
                                                                 -Aquatic Bed
                                                                 - Rocky Shore
                                                                 • Unconsolidated Shore
                                                                 -Emergent Wetland

                                                                 - Rock Bottom
                                                                 -Unconsolidated Bottom
                                                                 -Aquatic Bed
                                                                 -Unconsolidated Shore
                                                                 -Moss-Lichen Wetland
                                                                 -Emergent Wetland
                                                                 -Scrub-Shrub Wetland
                                                                 • Forested Wetland
  Figure  3.2-14.  U.S.  Fish  and  Wildlife  Service  National Wetlands  Inventory
         classification  scheme  (from Cowardin  et al.   1979).
                                                              51

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       PFUi  V'-.\ !-'•
                   R4SBW
                            R4BBW
                                         CR4BBW
Figure 3.2-15. Sample from a 1:24,000 scale habitat classification map showing
    wetlands in Colorado (from USFWS National Wetlands Inventory)
                                52

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 UPLAND PALUSTRINE  UPLAND
  Seepage Zone
                                   a TEMPORARILY FLOODED
                                   b SEASONALLY FLOODED
                                   c SEMIPERMANENTLY FLOODED
                                   d INTERMITTENTLY EXPOSED
                                   e PERMANENTLY FLOODED
                                   f SATURATED
   HIGH WATE
AVERAGE WATER
   LOW WATER
Figure  3.2-16.  Features  of the "palustrine"  wetland  system- part of the wet-
      land classification scheme used by the  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
      (from Cowardin et al. 1979).
                                             53

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                                                                                  tO mi
                                                            EROSION POTENTIAL

                                                                (tons/mi1 V)
                                                     AGRICULTURAL
NON-AGRICULTURAL
                                                                     HTTP  40-90

                                                                     11! I ' ! ' I' I
                                                                     III!!  il  90-140


                                                                             140-200


                                                                             200-300


                                                                             300-500
Figure 3.2-17.  Ecological "key" map illustrating erosion potential for  a

     northwest  coastal area watershed (from Proctor et  al.  1978).

                                          54

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                              WISCONSIN WETLANDS  INVENTORY
                                     MAP  STATUS  3-31-83
TH Scheduled for
—* Completion: 6-30-84
    Figure 3.2-18. Areas of Wisconsin in which wetlands have been or are currently
       being mapped (from WDNR 1982).
                                 55

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3.2.5  Indices

     An index is  defined  as any combination of  individual  arithmetic  mea-
surements  (usually  of  varying  characteristics)  that allows for an  overall
description of the  value  or nature of a natural  phenomenon.   For example,
the Shannon-Wiener  diversity index  provides  a single number that  indicates
both  equitabllity and  species richness  (number of  species)  of a  given
biological  population  (typically   benthic  invertebrates,  zooplankton  or
phytoplankton).    Various   indices   have  also  been  developed that  define
habitat  values  or  functions  (including  wetlands).    Indices  are  useful
because: (1) different geographical areas and time periods can be  compared;
and (2)  different alternatives can be compared.  Their  disadvantages in-
clude: (1)  possible confusion  of  indices with the primary data (Simpson et
al. 1960) from which they are derived; and (2) aggregation of data that may
conceal potential impacts (Duke et_ al^ 1977).

     Three  general  types  of indices  are available  for  possible  use  in
evaluating impacts on wetlands.  These include habitat suitability indices,
species diversity indices,  and  risk assessment  indices.  The Habitat Suit-
ability Index (HSI) was developed  by the USFWS  as the basis of the Habitat
Evaluation Procedure (HEP) and was  discussed  in Section 3.1 (this  method is
also discussed in Section 3.2.6).   The HSI combines four measures of habi-
tat value  (food,  cover,  water  quality,  and  reproduction)  into  one  index
that  is  an indicator  of  overall  habitat quantity and  quality.   The basic
procedure in conducting HEP is to  first  define  the habitat and/or subhabi-
tats  present  within  the  study  area.  For  wetland systems  this requires
determination of  the  areal  extent  of different vegetation types and  open
water areas.  The suitability  of  each subhabitat for supporting a selected
group of  ecologically  or  economically important species is  determined by
using the  HSI.   The index  is developed  from  species-specific mathematical
models that use physical  and chemical data collected on  the  project site.
The models  define  the  habitat  requirements  of  select  species.  To  date,
models for  some  30 species of terrestrial  and  aquatic  animals  have  been
developed  by  the USFWS.   The HSIs  are  used in  combination with  data on
areal extent  of  each  subhabitat  to  obtain  the  number of  "Habitat Units"
(HUs) that are available.  The HUs  reflect the overall quality and quantity
                                  56

-------
of habitats on the project site or in the study area for individual species
and/or groups of  species.   Impacts are determined by estimating changes in
HUs over  time —for example,  alteration of the areal extent and biological
populations as a result of construction.

     Species diversity  indices  are generally used to analyze  data on sam-
ples of  populations or  organisms.   As previously mentioned,  they usually
combine  information on equitability as well as  species  richness.   Several
types  of  indices  are  available that provide different  measures  of diver-
sity.   These include  the  Shannon-Wiener,  Simpson,  Brillouns index,  and
approximate  and  hierarchical indices  (Kaesler et^  al.  1978;  Krebs 1972).
Also available  are  the  Mason Index (Mason 1979) and the  Sequential Index
(Lind  1979).   Since these  indices are primarily concerned  with  submerged
aquatic systems,  they are not further addressed in this report.  They could
be  used  in  detailed  site-specific  studies of  individual  wetland (pool)
areas,   but would not be useful as an initial screening tool.

     Risk  assessment indices  measure the qualities  of ecosystems  to with-
stand  stress  (Cairns   and  Dickson  1980).   These  qualities  include:  (1)
vulnerability to  irreversible damage;  (2) degree of elasticity or ability
to  recover from  damage;  (3)  inertia or ability to  resist  displacement of
structural and  functional characteristics;  and (4)  resiliency (the number
of times recovery can occur after displacement).   Two types of risk assess-
ment indices,  the inertia  index and the recovery index, have been devel-
oped.  The recovery  index provides a measure of ecosystem  elasticity,  and
is  a  rough  measure of  the  ability of  a  system  to recover  from damage
(Cairns  and   Dickson  1980).   Table 3.2-6  summarizes  factors thought  to
determine the rate of recovery of an aquatic ecosystem from a perturbation,
as well as the  formula for calculating the recovery index (from Cairns  and
Dickson 1980).

     The inertia index  provides a numerical estimate of the ability of an
ecosystem to  resist displacement or perturbation.   Critical factors used to
rate an ecosystem's inertia! ability and the formula for the inertia! index
are given  in Table  3.2-7.   A  similar  procedure  is used to calculate  the
inertial  and  recovery  indices.    For further information  concerning these
indices the reader is referred to Cairns and Dickson (1980).
                                  57

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(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

Existence of nearby
epicenters
Transportability of
dissemules
Condition of habitat
Presence of residual
toxicants
Chemical -physical water
quality
Regional management
capabilities
1
Poor
Poor
Poor
Large
amounts
Severe
disequilibrium
None
RATING
2
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Intermediate
amounts
Partially
restored
Present
3
Good
Good
Good
Small
amounts
Normal
Strong
Recovery index = axbxcxdxexf

400-729:  chances of  rapid  recovery excellent
55-399:   chances of  rapid  recovery fair  to  good
<55:      chances of  rapid  recovery poor

Note:  Each  factor can have  a  rating  of 1, 2 or 3.   The  highest possible
recovery index is 729 or  36, where each of the 6  factors have the highest
rating of 3.
Table 3.2-6.  Critical factors used in rating and determining recovery  index
        (from Cairns and Dickson 1980).
                                         58

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                                                     Rating
                                                       2
  (a)  Tolerance of  indigenous
      organisms to  variable
      environment

  (b)  High structural and
      functional system
      redundancy
Poor
Poor
Moderate
Moderate
Good
Good
(c) Mixing capacity
(d) Hard, well -buffered
water
(e) Closeness to ecological
threshold
(f) Regional management
capabilities
Poor
Poor
Close
Poor
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
margin
of safety
Moderate
Good
Good
Substantial
margin
of safety
Good
 Inertial index =axbxcxdxexf

 400-729:  inertial stability high
 55-399:   inertial stability fair to good
 >55:      inertial stability poor

 Note:  Each factor can have a rating of 1, 2 or  3.  The  highest  possible
 inertial index is 729 or 36, where each of the 6  factors have  the  highest
 rating of 3.
Table 3.2-7.  Critical  factors used in determining the inertial index (from
        Cairns and Dickson  1980).
                                        59

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3.2.6  Habitat Assessment Methods

A  variety  of habitat  assessment methods have  been developed  that  can or
have been applied to wetlands (Lonard et^jJU  1981).   This section discusses
two methods  developed  by the U.S.  Army Corps of  Engineers  (Reppert et al.
1979;  USCOE  1980),  the  USFWS  Habitat Evaluation Procedure  (HEP)  (briefly
mentioned above), and the Michigan DNR wetland checklist procedure.

     The advantages of  such  habitat-based  methods are that  they  provide a
standard  and  comprehensive  means  of  scientifically  evaluating  wetland
values.   They are  particularly useful  where  detailed  site-specific  in-
formation  is needed (The MDNR method does not require  the  extent of data
that the USFWS and  USCOE methods require).  The  disadvantages  (except for
the  Michigan DNR method) are  that  these  methods require collection of a
significant  amount  of  on-site  data by a team of  biologists.  The level of
effort can vary greatly, but nevertheless,  these methods would probably not
be  employed  unless  adverse  effects  on a  wetland of very high value were
projected.

     3.2.6.1  Corps of Engineers Wetland Evaluation Methodology

     The U.S. Army Corps of  Engineers (Rempert ejt^ al^. 1979)  has developed a
methodology  for  evaluating  wetlands  that involves  two  approaches:  deduc-
tive and comparative analysis.   This method was summarized  in tabular form
in Section 3.1.  This section briefly summarizes the method.

     In the  deductive  portion of  the analysis,  a  systematic,  qualitative
method is  used to evaluate  functional wetland values.  A narrative summary
is prepared  that  describes  how the wetland conforms or does not conform to
the  evaluation criteria.  In the comparative analysis the degree to which
two  or more wetlands  satisfy  criteria  regarding  functional  ecological
characteristics and cultural features is evaluated.   This is a quantitative
procedure  that  allows  comparison  of several  alternative sites.  A final
number  is  obtained  that represents  the  total of  individually evaluated
features.   This  number is  used  as  the  basis  for  the  comparative rating.
                                  60

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     Both approaches  rely  on descriptive functional or cultural character-
istics.  Functional characteristics  include  those that define the value of
a  wetland  for purification of  surface water,  groundwater recharge,  or
shoreline protection.

     Cultural  values  would  include  aesthetics,  agricultural use,  recrea-
tional  use,  or  commercial  fisheries  production.   The deductive  method
assigns such  values using  a qualitative checklist, whereas the comparative
method  uses habitat  mapping and a  scaled checklist.   Table 3.2-8  is  an
example of  one scaled  checklist  used  to  evaluate the  water purification
function of a wetland.  In this example, eight different factors are evalu-
ated according to  the criteria listed as having high (3), moderate (2), or
low  (1)  value.  These  values are summarized  to  obtain  a total which  is
indicative of the relative water purification function.

     3.3.6.2  Corps of Engineers Habitat Evaluation System (HES)

     The  Habitat  Evaluation System  (HES)  was developed  by  the  U.S.  Army
Corps  of  Engineers for use  in water  resource  project  permitting  (USCOE
1980).  HES  is a  method for evaluating  existing  and  future habitat condi-
tions  with  and without a  proposed   project,  and is  based  on a  series  of
curves  that  define key habitat characteristics of  aquatic  species  inhabi-
ting  the  project  area.  The  curves relate an  index (called  the  Habitat
Quality  Index, or HQI)  to  various  parameters  or  characteristics  that
reflect the quality of the study area with respect to supporting aquatic or
terrestrial life.   For aquatic systems, six curves relating HQIs to  various
parameters have been developed.  These are:  (1)  fish species associations;
(2) stream sinuosity;  (3)  total dissolved solids; (4)  turbidity; (5)  chemi-
cal type;  and  (6)  benthic  diversity.  The curves for some of these  parame-
ters are presented in  Appendix F.

     The  general  steps in  applying  an  aquatic  HES to  a project are  as
follows:
                                  61

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Eva!
A.
1.









2.



B.
1.


2.


3.





4.


C.
1.


2.






uative Factors
Wetland Type
Hydroperiod









Vegetation density



Area! and Waste Loading Rel
Total wetland size


Proportion of water surface
area in wetland area (acres
hectares)
Proportion of tidal inlet,
river channel or bay water
volume flowing through wet-
land, or overland runoff
retained in the system
(cfs, mgd)
5-day BOD loading (Ibs BOD/
acre/day)

Criteria

• Semi-diurnal intertidal
t Perennial riverine
• Irregularly-flooded
intertidal
• Permanently-flooded
lacustrine
• Intermittently-flooded
riverine
• Intermittently-flooded
lacustrine or palustrine
t Dense (coverage > 80%)
• Moderate (coverage
50-80%)
• Open (coverage 20-50%)
ationships
> 100 ac
10-100 ac
1-10 ac
40-60%
60-75%
> 75%
> 50%
25-50%
< 25%



• 5-15 Ibs
• 15-25 Ibs
t > 25 Ibs
Value

High (3)
High (3)
Moderate (2)

Moderate (2)

Low (1)

Low (1)

High (3)
Moderate (2)

Low (1)

High (3)
Moderate (2)
Low (1)
High (3)
Moderate (2)
Low (1)
High (3)
Moderate (2)
Low (1)



High (3)
Moderate (2)
Low (1)
Geographical and Other Locational Factors
Frost-free days


Location with reference to
known pollution sources





• > 250 days
t 175-250 days
• < 175 days
• Below known source of
municipal waste discharge
t Above known water intakes
• Below area of non-point-
source pollution
• Below known industrial
waste discharges
High (3)
Moderate (2)
Low (1)
High (3)

High (3)
Moderate (2)

Low (1)

Table 3.2-8. Criteria for scaling eight factors reflecting wetland values for
        water purification (Reppert et al.  1979).
                                         62

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        Obtain habitat type acreages;
        Derive HQI scores;
        Derive Habitat Unit Values (HUVs);
        Project HUVs for future with and without proposed project;
        Use HUVs to assess impacts of project alternatives; and
        Determine mitigation measures.
     Figure  3.2-19  illustrates   the  various  detailed  steps required  to
complete a HES.   Under  the Habitat Evaluation System (HES), the quality of
aquatic  and  terrestrial habitats  are defined on  the  basis of established
relationships between  the habitat  variables  listed above  and the Habitat
Quality  Index (HQI).   HQIs are multiplied by available  habitat  type acre-
ages to  yield Habitat  Unit Values  (HUVs).  The  HUVs  are the overall indi-
cator  of both habitat  quality and quantity.   Under HES,  changes in HUVs
produced by  changes in  habitat  acreage or  type may be  used to determine
impacts  of various project alternatives.

     Site-specific data  are  required  to determine HQIs for baseline condi-
tions  under  the  HES.    Future HQIs and HUVs  are determined  by combining
information on  project  design (for example,  changes  in acreage resulting
from land use changes,  etc.) with data concerning projected changes in key
habitat  variables  (for  instance,  turbidity).   Data on changes in  key pro-
ject variables  may be  obtained  in a  variety of ways  ranging from on-site
measurements, modeling,  or   literature  reviews.   Therefore,  a  range  of
effort may  be involved  to complete an HES procedure that  is dependent on
the size of the  project and degree of  quantification desired. '

     A  potential  concern  with HES is the  scientific credibility  of  the
results.  While  many  of  the  HES  calculations  are  based   on  assumptions
similar  to those  used  in HEP, accurate development of  regionalized curves
and the  use  of  weighting factors will ultimately determine the credibility
of this  method.   Presumably  these factors could be computerized, but their
reasonableness must still be considered by expert biologists before putting
them to use.
                                  63

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                           Obtain Land Use/Habitat
                      Acreages  for Existing Conditions
                           Stratify Project Area by
                            Land  Use/Habitat Types
                             Select Kev Variables
               _L
      Conduct Literature
        Review  to Obtain
           HQI  Scores
  Conduct Field
   Sampling to
Obtain HQI Scores
              Develop Future Land
             Use/Habitat Acreages
             For  With and Without
              Project Conditions
       Develop Fviture HQI
       Scores for the With
       and Without Project
           Conditions
                                     I
                           Calculate Habitat Unit
                             Values for With and
                               Without Project
                                 Conditions
                            Calculate Impacts of
                            Each Alternative Plan
                          In Tenas of Habitat Unit
                           Values by Comparing the
                          With and Without Project
                                  Condition
                           Develop Mitigation Plan
                            For Each Alternative
                            Plan Using Calculated
                           Impacts in Habitat Unit
                           Values, if Appropriate
Figure 3.2-19. Detailed steps in preparing a  "HES"  (.from USCOE 1980)
                                       64

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     3.2.6.3  U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Habitat Evaluation Procedure

     The Habitat  Evaluation  Procedure  (HEP)  (USFWS 1980) is a  method  that
utilizes physical, chemical, and biological information to characterize the
biological  carrying  capacity  of  terrestrial  and  aquatic  systems.   HEP
provides a means  of evaluating baseline habitat conditions and the ecolo-
gical impacts of  various  project  alternatives.   The application of  HEP is
relatively straight-forward  but requires  evaluation of the site by a  team
of at least  three biologists trained in the procedure.  The  overall proce-
dure is  similar  to HES,  except that the  two  methods  are based on somewhat
different assumptions.

     The basic procedure  in conducting an HEP is to first define the habi-
tat and/or subhabitats present  within  the study area (Figure  3.2-20).   For
wetland  systems  this requires  determination  of the areal extent  of pools
and vegetation types.  The suitability of each sub-habitat for supporting a
selected group of  ecologically  or economically important species is deter-
mined by using  what  is  termed a  "Habitat Suitability  Index  (HSI)."   The
index is developed from mathematical models that use physical and chemical
data collected on the project  site to define carrying capacity of  individ-
ual species.  To  date, models  for some 30 species of terrestrial and aqua-
tic animals  have been developed  by the USFWS.  The  information generated
concerning carrying capacity is  used  to  define  the overall  quantity and
quality  of habitat in a given area.

     The HSIs are used in  combination with  data  on areal extent  of  each
subhabitat to obtain the number  of "Habitat Units" (HUs) that are avail-
able.  The HUs reflect the  overall quality and quantity of habitats on the
project   site or  in the study area for  individual  species and/or groups of
species.   Impacts  are determined  by estimating changes  in  HUs over  time
—for example, alteration of the  physical habitat  as a result of construc-
tion (Figure  3.2-20).  For  wetland projects  this  would  involve projecting
the changes  in  acreage of  individual  habitat  types  caused  by a  proposed
project.    The numbers  of  acres   of  habitat are  calculated  for  each  of
several   target years, and the  resulting HUs are then computed.   A graph of
available HUs with and without  the project may be constructed  to  visually
                                  65

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      Determine the applicability
                 of HEP
               (Chapter 2)
          Define  study  limits
             (Chapter 3}
            Determine  baseline
             Habitat  Units
            (Chapters  4  and  5)
   Compare baseline/
      areas      /
(Chapters 4 & 5}/*
      Determine  future  Habitat
         Units  (Chapter 5)
      Compare
 proposed actions,,
  (Chapter 5)
                              Determine Relative Value
                                 Indices (optional)
                                   (Chapter 6)
     - J
       Develop  compensation  plans
             if appropriate
              (Chapter 7}
Figure 3 2-20.  Generalized evaluation procedure  for employing HEP OTTO*  DSFWS
     1980b)(Chapters indicated refer to the USJVS HEP manual, not the present

     study).
                                        66

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illustrate  the  effects  of the proposed activity over time (Figure 3.2-21).
HEP also  provides  a means of developing trade-offs and compensations using
similar projections (these are not discussed further here).

     The  primary disadvantage of  using the HEP  is that  large amounts of
site-specific  data may  be required  if impact quantification  is desired.
These data  must be obtained by a team of at least three biologists trained
in  HEP.   For the  semi-quantitative  method in which  the full-scale models
are not employed, the need for extensive data is not a problem.   However, a
full-scale HEP  requires a substantial investment of labor and funds.

     The  main advantage  of using HEP is that  a  number of numerical models
are available and  are continually being developed by the USFWS so that the
method can  be  applied  in any region where the  evaluation species occurs.
In  addition,  computer programs  for both the models and the impact analysis
are currently available  for large main-frame computers.  The USFWS is also
currently developing  HEP software  for  use on  microcomputers  so  that the
technique can be used by other organizations (Bruce  Bell,  USFWS HEP coor-
dinator,  Atlanta,  Georgia, personal  communication).   An additional advan-
tage of  using HEP is that  a  range of HSI models are  available that allow
for  a  varied  level  of  effort  to complete an  analysis for a particular
project.  HEP  is also  advantageous  because it provides  a  quantitative or
semi-quantitative means  of analyzing the  potential  impacts  of a project.
This provides a common  ground for discussion between reviewing agencies or
between biologists, hydrologists,  and engineers  working on a project.  The
USFWS is  actively  funding the HEP system and in the future plans to use it
as the primary means of assessing baseline conditions and impacts.  This is
an additional reason favoring its incorporation by other agencies, since it
would provide a common means of conducting impact analysis and for agencies
to  discuss  specific aspects  of  permit  decisions  (especially mitigation).

     HEP also provides  a means  of analyzing trade-offs of project alterna-
tives,  as well  as a  means  of  conducting compensation analyses.   These
methods are given  in  USFWS's  manual ESM 102 and  are not discussed further
here.   However,  these methods are  extremely valuable  when  setting permit
conditions or in considering consequences of project alternatives and means
to minimize impacts (especially for large projects).
                                  67

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           Baseline year HU's
 0   ,
                                                           Predicted  conditions
                                                           without  proposed action
                             Predicted conditions with proposed action
                 20
TOO
                                 Target years
Figure 3.2-21.  Relationship  between baseline conditions, conditions with-
     out a proposed action,  conditions with a proposed action and net im-
     pact tfrom USFWS 1980b),
                                 68

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     3.2.6.4  Michigan DNR Wetland Evaluation Checklist Technique

     The MDNR checklist method provides a means of evaluating the status of
existing wetlands  as  well as potential project-related  impacts  on wetland
structure and areal extent.   The method is specific to wetlands  and is not
strictly applicable to  aquatic  systems (with the possible exception of the
fisheries portion).   The method  examines  six basic  features  of wetlands,
including: (1) hydrologic functions (classification, flood reduction value,
drainage  changes);  (2)  soil  characterizations (texture,  coloration,  mot-
tling,  water table,  hydric  soils,  organic/mineral  soils);   (3)  wildlife
habitat/use evaluation  (utilization, interspersion,  vegetative cover); (4)
fisheries  habitat/  use  (utilization,  vegetation  type); (5)  nutrient re-
moval/recycling functions  (storage/release);  and  (6)  removal  of suspended
sediments.   A portion  of  this  checklist  is  shown  in Figure  3.2-22.   A
second  part  of  the  analysis  includes  consideration  of public  interest
concerns.   This  method  also includes  brief consideration  of cumulative,
cultural/historic and economic impacts.

     To conduct the first portion of the analysis, a checklist procedure is
followed for each of the six functional areas to be evaluated.   A numerical
rating system is used to rank the quality of the site with respect to each
ecological function.  For  wildlife  and fisheries, a rating  system is used
in which a  composite  score is determined for several groups of species and
their respective ecological uses of the wetland.   The rating system is used
to  evaluate the wetland  before  and  after  construction.  A  one-day site
visit is required to conduct this evaluation.

     The advantages  of  using this  method  are that it:  (1)  requires a low
level of effort; (2)  provides a ready means of quantifying baseline condi-
tions, which  enables  a  more objective impact  analysis; and  (3)  includes
consideration of  non-ecological  impacts  such as  effects on  cultural and
economic resources.   A  disadvantage is  that  the  method may  not  be quite
detailed enough  to provide  the  type  of  data needed for a more  scientific
evaluation.  However,  as a quick screening method, it should be given close
consideration for  future use (possibly by slight expansion or modification
it could be useful in 201-type project reviews as a screening tool).
                                  69

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PART I. Cont'd.
II. SOIL DESCRIPTION
I
1. If a modern soil survey is available, list the soil types of the wetlands:

2. Soil Inspection — Di
A. Depth to water ta
B. If site is inundate
C. Depth to start of
3. Soil Classification —
A. D ORGANIC (gre
1. D MUCK (high
2. D PEAT (large
B. D MINERAL (less
1. Describe the so
TEXTURE'
g a 24" deep hole and determine:
hie1 inches (NR = Not Reachi^i)
rl aupragp vuafnr riepth- inches
mottling: inches (NR = Not Reached)
Classify the soil (either A or B)
ater than 20% organic matter and deeper the 12".)
y decomposed, original plant parts not recognizable.)
y undecomposed, plant parts readily recognizable.)
> than 20% organic matter or if greater than 20%, shallower than 12").
I horizons, from the surface down.
DEPTH TEXTURE' COLOR'
0 to
" to
" to
COLOR*
S — sand CL — clay loam R— red RB— reddish brown
SL— sandy loam C— clay BR— brown GB— grayish brown
LS— loamy sand RC— rock/ cobbles B— black RY— reddish yellow
L — loam CS— cobbly sand Y— yellow note other
SIL — silt loam note other G — gray
III. WILDLIFE USE/HABITAT EVALUATION
A. Wildlife Use Rating:


Waterfowl
Other game birds
Wading birds
Shorebirds, Gulls. Terns
Non-game birds
Raptors
Furbearers
Other mammals
Wildlife use rating BE
Wildlife use rating AF
B. VEGETATIVE INTERS
C. VEGETATIVE COVER
D. COMMENTS:

(complete the table below)
R«anng Foodmg Covor Sub-Total ComiMnts
Young
Botoro All.r Before Atttr Before After Before After
"?•>•» !v;~i L'-^>" :-•<•••?*
•-•.-'-- '•-. -'• .-'; -;.V« -i-'.v
•--•; ••••-„-• .-->:' ?'-V."
•-•' •-"- - .,'•••'; '.--. r,- '.'•-.-"'".
p, -. >.'•.-•'•'; A- -'~±*">. ^vr,'':
; •' .... "••..-'•: • --y;: •-:" , v
^c .--.- - '•--;• • •, :..^v f;*-t^
£-^;'-i ii.t^"^ "•'&£ '*:r;.-.
TOTALS ^j-^.j;
FOPP projort = TOTAL = -\ 	 ^J
24 24 1 1
TER project «= TOTAL = _| 	 |
24 	 24
PERSION RATING =1 1
TO OPEN WATER RATING =1 1


Biologist's Signature (if
applicable) n«t» / /

      Figure  3.2-22.  Portion of MDNR wetland evaluation checklist (MDNR 1980).
                                              70

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3.2.7  Ecosystem Modeling

     The USFWS study summarized information on available methods for model-
ing aquatic  ecosystems  (including  wetlands) (Table 3.2-9).  Modeling could
be  employed  as a  means of analyzing primary,  secondary  or cumulative ef-
fects of 201 projects on wetlands.   Two general types of modeling, physical
and mathematical, are available.  Most of the methods listed in Table 3.2-9
apply  to aquatic  ecosystems.   However, the  methods for  modeling habitat
creation listed  in Table  3.2-9 would apply directly to wetlands mitigation
techniques.  Modeling  is considered to be an  expensive  and labor-intensive
means  of  evaluating baseline  conditions and  potential effects of project
activities  on  wetlands.   As  such,  it  would  be impractical  as a  rapid
screening method for use in USEPA Region V projects.

3.3  Other Methodologies

     Sections  3.1  and  3.2  provided reviews of the majority  of the metho-
dologies that  have  been developed  to assess  impacts  of various activities
on  wetlands  in US EPA Region V and elsewhere.  Most  of the literature re-
viewed  dealt  with  primary impacts assessment  methods  developed  prior  to
1981.  This section reviews other types of methods that have been developed
subsequent to  1981 or  that  deal with  other  types of  impacts  on wetlands
that need  to  be considered during the course  of facilities  planning.  In
particular,  cumulative  impacts, secondary impacts, and mitigation are im-
portant aspects of the review process that need to be addressed.

3.3.1  Federal Highway Administration Study

     The Federal Highway  Administration (FHWA) has published  a two-volume
series of a wetland evaluation procedure (Adamus and  Stockwell 1983;  Adamus
1983).   Volume I  presents a state-of-the-art  review  of wetland functions.
These  include  groundwater  recharge  and  discharge,  flood  storage  and
desynchronization,   shoreline  anchoring and dissipation of erosive forces,
sediment  trapping, nutrient  retention  and  removal,  food chain  support
(detrital export),  habitat for  fish  and wildlife, and active  and passive
recreation.   The manual is applicable  to all  wetlands  in the 48 conter-
                                  71

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                                             Applicable Modeling Approaches
                                            Physical          Mathematical
      Ecological Problem Areas
B
M    SE
00  CHEM  PHYTO  ECO
Land and Confined Disposal
Colonization and ecological succession
Biological productivity
Species diversity
Material cycling*
Return flows and receiving water
  impacts

Habitat Creation

Colonization and ecological succession
Biological productivity
Species diversity
Material cycling*
Artificial establishment techniques

Open-Water Disposal

Pelagic
• Oxygen budget analysis
• Biological productivity
• Species diversity
t Material cycling*

Benthic
     *
     *
                           **
                            **
                            **
     *
     *

     *
     *
                            **
                            **

                            **
                                 **
                           **    **

                                 **
• Direct smothering of benthic
organisms
t Colonization and ecological
succession
• Biological productivity
t Species diversity
t Material cycling*
Pollution Criteria Development

*
*
* *
* *
* *
**
**
**
* ** ** **
Notes:  B = bioassays; M = microcosms; SE = scaled ecosystem; DO » dissolved
oxygen; CHEM = chemical; PHYTO » phytoplankton; ECO = ecosystem.

*State of the art ready for application with only minor adaptations.
**State of the art not ready for application but development for selected
purposes is feasible.
+Includes contaminant mobilization and transport.
 Table 3.2-9.  Ecological problems related to dredged material  disposal and features
         of  applicable modeling methods (from Hall et al.  1976).
                                         72

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minous states, and  uses the U.S. Fish and  Wildlife Service definition and
classification system. It examines the validity, interactions, and possible
significance  thresholds for  the functions, as  well as  documenting  their
underlying  processes.   With  appropriate  qualifying information,  wetland
types are  ranked  for  each function.  Wetland types ideal for each function
are  identified  and illustrated.  Potential impacts  of  highways  upon  each
function are described and, where available, possible thresholds are given.
Factors that regulate  impact magnitude, such as location, design, watershed
erodibility,  flushing   capacity,   basin  morphology,   biotic  sensitivity
(resistance and  resilience),  recovery capacity, and wildlife refugia,  are
explained.  Cumulative  impacts  and  social factors affecting wetland signi-
ficance are discussed.   Effects of  the following factors  on  wetland  func-
tion  are  documented:   contiguity,  shape, fetch,  surface  area, area  of
watershed  and drainage  area,  stream order,  gradient,  land  cover,  soils,
depositional  environment,  climate,  wetland  system, vegetation  form,  sub-
strate, salinity,  pH, hydroperiod,  water  level  fluctuations, tidal  range,
scouring,  velocity, depth, width,  circulation,  pool-riffle ratio,  vegeta-
tion  density, flow pattern,  interspersion,  human  disturbance,  turbidity,
alkalinity, dissolved oxygen,  temperature, and  biotic  diversity.  Because
of  the  great  length  of Volume  I,  it will not  be  further discussed  here.
Volume  II presents a  methodology  for  screening  each  of the  functional
values of wetlands as  described in Volume I.

     The  methodology  is in  fact three  separate procedures,  including the
following:
     •  Procedure I (Threshold Analysis)  estimates  the relative like-
        lihood  that  a  single wetland  is of  high,  moderate,  or  low
        value for each function;
     •  Procedure II  (Comparative  Analysis)  provides  a framework for
        estimating whether one wetland  is likely to be more important
        than another for each function;  and
     •  Procedure III (Mitigation  Analysis)  provides  a framework for
        comparing  mitigation  alternatives   and  evaluating   their
        "reasonableness."
                                  73

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     The  threshold  analysis must be  completed first.   The  last two  pro-
cedures are employed only  If  Procedure I does not allow adequate determin-
ation  of  functional value.  The method  is  based on the assumption  that ft
wetlands  value  includes three components.   These are:  (1)  "opportunity"
(whether  a wetland  has  a chance to fulfill  a given function);  (2)  "effec-
tiveness"  (probability   that  a  wetland   is  productive  in  maximizing  the
opportunity of  fulfilling  a given  function); and  (3)  "significance"  (the
degree  to which the function  performance is  valued  by society).   Figure
3.3-1 summarizes the interaction of these three characteristics.

     To complete Procedures I and II,  the evaluation goes through two basic
steps.  In  Step 1,  the evaluation uses  three series  of questions  called
"predictor inventories".  The first series  is used to evaluate  opportunity
and effectiveness,  the second series determines significance,  and the third
series reviews impact related factors.  In the second step,  the  information
assembled in  the three  predictor  inventories is evaluated to determine *
rating  of  functional   significance  for   each function.  In  Procedure  I,
"interpretation keys" are  provided  to help translate the data into  state-
ments  concerning  functional  significance.    A  detailed  diagram  of  the
methodology is shown in Figure 3.3-2.   Example sheets of forms A, B,  and C,
as well as all subsequent forms included  in the method,  are  included  in Ap-
pendix 6  in order  to illustrate the  substantial  amount of  effort required
by this technique.   In  general,  the procedure can  be used  for:  (1)  deter-
mining  sensitivity  of  alternate corridors;  (2)  assigning mitigation mea-
sures  that  are  consistent  with wetland  values;  (3) choosing replacement
wetlands  of  equal  functional  value  if  replacement  is desired;  and  (4)
allocating the appropriate level of effort to any further detailed studies,
if required.

     The  output  of  the  methodology is used to screen wetland functions and
is not  intended  to  be  used for detailed  site studies.   Rather,  the  method
should be used  to  choose from a large array of choices and possible  prior-
ities  for later,  detailed studies.   The analyses result  in a rating  of
high,  moderate,  or low  with respect  to  the  significance of  analysis  of a
                                  74

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Figure 3.3-1.  The relationships  between the concepts of opportunity,  effective-
     ness,  and significance  in evaluation of wetland values and functions
     (from Adamus 1983).
1
7 ANSWER
PORMC
IP. *tt
-

A. TRANSLATE
PORMA1
RESPONSES
USING KEYS
                                                  RECORD ON SUMMARY SMUT D 10. W
                                                  IUU SIP ARAT E SHEET B fO* (ACM MIA AND 1IME **AUEl
                                                                  •WIA • wetland inpaet art*
Figure 3.3-2.  Flow chart of the method developed by  Adamus (1983) to  evaluate
     baseline  conditions in wetlands  and effects of  highway construction.
                                          75

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function,  and potential  impacts.   However,  the method  only assures  the
probability that such  functions  exist.   Other significant features of this

method that are as follows (quoted from Adamus and Stockwell 1981):
     The probability  ratings  (HIGH,  MODERATE, LOW) in Procedure  I do
     not have statistical correlates.   In other words,  a "LOW" rating
     has not been  proven  to mean that fewer  than,  say,  10 percent of
     all wetlands will satisfy the condition;

     Nevertheless,  the ratings are  not merely relative.   Depending on
     the function, perhaps  60-80  percent  of the wetlands described in
     the literature as having  a  particular function might be assigned
     a rating of "HIGH" by  this  key.  The key is usually quite rigor-
     ous in its  stipulations  for arriving at a HIGH or  LOW rating for
     a function; the  user may find that a large number  of evaluations
     result in ratings of  MODERATE;

     Procedures  I  and II  are constructs  of  the  available  technical
     literature and hence  are only,  at best, as good as  the literature
     base,  which  in many areas  is deficient.  Thus, while  most  wet-
     lands  described  as  being of  high value in  the  literature would
     also  be  rated HIGH by Procedure I,  the converse  is  not neces-
     sarily true,  i.e.,  areas rated HIGH by this  procedure will not
     necessarily,  upon  further detailed analysis,  always  be found to
     be of  high value;

     Large  wetlands which  are rated LOW or  MODERATE by these proce-
     dures  might  be  just as  important as small  wetlants  rated HIGH.
     However,  because few wetland functions can  be quantified,  it is
     inappropriate  to multiply  ratings  by  acreage to  give  a total
     value.  Thus,  it  is best whenever possible to compare wetlands of
     similar size;

     Where  several  wetlands  are  being evaluated,  they should also be
     of similar hydro-period and  system and located in  the  same  eco-
     region;

     The procedure is especially applicable  to  "strip  takings" which
     alter  only part  of a  wetland.   Unlike existing methodologies, it
     differentiates the extent to  which  a function is  ascribable to
     the wetland versus the basin in which it happens  to be located.
     The importance of this  distinction  to  wetland function is  dis-
     cussed by Cowardin (1979).  The procedure assumes that, if either
     the wetland impact area or the basin (i.e., adjacent deep waters)
     are rated  HIGH  for  a  particular function, the overall rating
     should be HIGH,  due  to the interrelatedness of the system.   The
     procedure  is  also unique in its  incorporation of  seasonal and
     tidal  variation;
                                  76

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  •  The  procedure does  not  provide  for  a synthesis  of  individual
     functional  values into  an  overall  wetland  value, because  the
     weights of individual functions (e.g., whether the user should be
     more concerned with the wetlandfs value for nutrient retention or
     for  wildlife  habitat,  both  of MODERATE probability)  varies ac-
     cording to  the user's  priorities.   If an  overall  value  must be
     assigned, perhaps the best guideline is for this to be synonymous
     with  the  wetland's highest  functional significance rating;  and

  •  The  development of this  procedure should be viewed as an ongoing
     process.  Although it  is perhaps the  most  accurate procedure of
     its  type  available at  this  time, future revisions may  be made.
     Users  are encouraged  to forward  their suggestions the  Federal
     Highway Administration as well as the authors.

     Despite the fact that the FHWA method is portrayed as a "rapid screen-

ing" technique, a  substantial amount  of effort  (several days)  is required
to complete  an evaluation.   This  factor should be considered in the future

by USEPA if it desires to employ the FHWA method.


3.3.2  Wisconsin DNR Method


     The  Wisconsin Department of  Natural  Resources  (USCOE  1983)  has pre-

pared a  wetland evaluation  methodology  in cooperation  with the U.S. Army

Corps of  Engineers, Rock  Island  Illinois  District.   The method  is  to be
used as  a  screening   technique  in projects  involving  wetlands  that  are

reviewed  by  the  state  during permitting and facilities planning.  The WDNR
methodology  is  in fact  a modification  of  the  FHWA  method   (Adamus  and

Stockwell  1983,  Adamus 1983)  presented  in  Section  3.3.1 of  this report.

Although  the WDNR  method  is very  similar  in general  format  to  the FHWA

method,   it  is  tailored  specifically  to  biological   characteristics  of
Wisconsin wetlands (i.e.,  the method includes plants and animals that occur

specifically  in Wisconsin  and focuses  specifically on Wisconsin wetland
community types) (W. Marlett, WDNR, personnel communication).   In addition,

the WDNR method is shorter than the FHWA method,  and requires a lower level
of effort  to complete  (the  FHWA  method requires  several days  of effort).


3.3.3  Ludwig and Apfelbaum Matrix Method


     Ludwig and Apfelbaum (unpublished) created a matrix method to evaluate

the functional aspects  of  wetlands.  The method is based on the assumption
                                  77

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that functional wetland  values  can be measured (quantified and used as the
basis  to  evaluate  baseline conditions).   The ultimate  objective  of  the

authors is  to have  resource managers use the method  in  everyday planning
and administration.  The  specific  objectives  of the study are  as follows:
  •  To  be  able to measure  and  value the functions of wetlands  on a
     case-by-case basis;

  •  To  develop a  list of  standard  parameters  which when  measured
     provide an index of wetland value;

  •  To develop a system that is usable by anyone able to use standard
     methods of measurement and procedures;

  •  To devise a wetlands assessment system in which a numerical index
     is  generated  as  a measure  of  baseline  value,  and by which a
     researcher  is  able  to compare  wetlands to  each other,  and to
     predict the impacts of  proposed  uses or modification both in the
     short-term ( 50 years) and the long-term ( 50 years);

  •  To place the burden  of proof on any person,  agency,  or organiza-
     tion that  seeks  to use,  modify, or  manage  any  wetland for any
     purpose  to prove  that  it  is  in  the  public—as  well as  the
     private—interest to use the wetland as proposed;  and

  •  To stimulate the  scientific  community to consider proper weight-
     ing, methodologies for  valuing, and  measurement of  each para-
     meter.

     A set  of  24 parameters associated with wetlands which can be measured
and which define wetlands  functional values were developed (Table 3.3-1).

These  are  divided  into  four main  sub-divisions:  biological, hydrological
and human use,  and  resistance to disturbance (Table 3.3-1 and Appendix H).
     In this method,  a  maximum and minimum numerical value  is assigned to

each of the  24  parameters,  and these are then  summed  to provide an aggre-

gate score for each of the three major subdivisions.  Specific quantitative

methods for  determining individual  scores  and score sheets are provided in
Appendix H.


     The method is  applied  by use of a matrix (Table 3.3-2).  In the first
column, baseline values from  each of the four major categories are presen-

ted.   Subsequent  columns  include  projections  of values  over the  next  50
years with and without the proposed project.   Columns for presenting values
                                  78

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        Table 3.3-1.   Key parameters  for defining wetland  functional values
I.    BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

      A.  Plant Diversity (Species Richness)
      B.  Plant Productivity (Measured as Annual Rate of Primary Production)
      C.  Plant Communities
      D.  Animal Diversity (Species Richness)
      E.  Animal Productivity (Actual Carrying Capacity as a Nesting-Brooding-
          Rearing Habitat)
      F.  Migratory Species Habitat (Value as Temporary Habitat)
      G.  Presence of Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species
      H.  Critical Habitat(s) Rating (Local, Regional, Statewide)
      I.  Ecosystem Wholeness Rating

II.   HYDROLOGICAL PARAMETERS

      A.  Physical and Configurational Attributes
          1.   Flood Control/Amelioration Function
          2.   Sediment Trap Function
          3.   Surface Water Storage Function
          4.   Groundwater Recharge Function
          5.   Biomass Sink and Storage Function
          6.   Watershed Importance Rating
      B.  Physio-Chemical Attributes
          1.   Water Quality, Bacteria, BOD/COD, Nutrients, pH,  Heavy Metals, etc.
          2.   Cation Exchange and Storage Capacities

III.  HUMAN USE PARAMETERS

      A.  Aesthetic Values
      B.  Present Value of Wetland Products and Services
      C.  Potential Value of Competitive Human-Controlled Uses
      D.  Recreation Values
      E.  Rareness of the Wetland Resource, Local and Statewide
      F.  Management Potentials for Long-Term Maintenance in Present Form
      G.  Holistic Ecosystem Importance Rating

IV.   OVERALL SYSTEM RESILIENCE TO DISTURBANCE
                                     79

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with mitigation  are also  included.   The  method  also includes  a means of
estimating  the effects  of  changes  in  the surrounding  watershed  on  the
wetland, and   a means  of differentiating  between  a projected trends base-
line  (natural wetland  changes  without project)  and baseline  conditions
(wetland  values  at  time  Y, regardless of natural  successional  or other
changes).

     The advantage  of  the system is that  it provides an objective means to
assess wetland values.   This allows for more realistic and objective permit
or planning decisions to be made.  However, as can be seen by reviewing the
tables  in  Appendix H,   the  method  also  requires  detailed  site-specific
data-gathering on a variety of wetland features.  Therefore, the method is
not a  screening  method  but  rather is  Intended for  use on  a highly site-
specific basis.  This  also implies that the cost and labor reqirements for
this approach  would  be  high.  The matrix,  however,  could  provide a useful
means of summarizing "red flag" features.

3.3.4  US Office of Technology Assessment  Study (Mitigation)

     The  Oceans  and Environment  Program,  Office  of Technology Assessment
(US Congress)  is  currently  preparing  a study  that  includes  a  literature
review of dredge and fill construction and development Impacts on wetlands,
feasibility of wetland creation  and  restoration,  and means of  mitigating
impacts  of  human activity  on  wetlands (Nelson et^ al_.  1982e).   Because of
the importance of the  subject, this section reviews the portion of the OTA
study dealing  with measures to mitigate  Impacts  on wetlands.   The study
includes the  following four main aspects of mitigation:   (1)  examples of
types of  mitigation;  (2) feasibility of mitigation;  (3)  strategies avail-
able for implementation of mitigation measures;  and (4) Section 404-related
mitigation  measures.   The following sections  briefly summarize  the first
two of these four areas as presented in Nelson et^ al_. (1982e) (the last two
areas are not within the scope of this review).
                                  81

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     3.3.4.1  Examples of Wetland Impact Mitigation

     Mitigation  may  include  a  variety  of  the  following  measures:   (1)
avoiding wetland impacts altogether during planning or construction phases,
or determining means to reduce impacts; or (2) compensation for unavoidable
on-site impacts by creation of wetlands off-site.  The OTA study considered
types of mitigation that could be accomplished at each of several orders of
magnitude of  impact.   A  "first  order of  magnitude"  impact would  include
total  wetland  elimination.   Examples given  include  filling,  bulkheading
draining, and  clearing.   Table  3.3-3 summarizes various means  to mitigate
these types of  impacts.   Second  order magnitude impacts which  are  defined
as those which  occur  over longer periods of time.   These could include for
example, hydrological  effects resulting  from blocking  of drainage  due to
highway construction  or  drainage  of wetlands due to access canal dredging.
Mitigation  measures  for  these  types  of  activities  are  listed in  Table
3.3-4.  Third-order magnitude 404-related  impacts  are  defined  in  the OTA
study as those  resulting in long-term soil and substrata effects.  Many of
these  are  also relevant  to facilities  planning.   An example  of a third-
order  impact  would include gradual filling of a wetland due  to increased
sedimentation from a surrounding  disturbed area.  Table  3.3-5 lists ways to
mitigate such impacts.   Fourth-order  impacts were identified as those that
result  in  water quality  degradation  over the  long-term, and  which result
from  effects  of  sewage effluents (eutrophication) or deterioration  due to
other  activities  (peat mining is used  as an  example  in  the  OTA  study).
Table 3.3-6 lists measures to mitigate these types of  impacts.

     The highest order  of magnitude of  impact  identified in  the OTA study
was the fifth order.  This includes short-term physical/chemical effects of
construction,  such as  increased  turbidity during pipeline laying or direct
habitat elimination.   Examples  of  appropriate  mitigative measures  identi-
fied are shown in Table 3.3-7.
                                  82

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     Table 3.3-3.   Examples of onsite mitigation practices useful for filling and
          bulkheading  (adapted  from  various  sources  in Nelson  et al.  1982).
    Activity
Filling
           Mitigation Concept
   To achieve flushing of finger-fill
   canals, avoid dead ends, sharp el-
   bows, and mean low depths over 4
   to 6 feet
      Reference
Hicks et al. 1975
Bulkheading
•  Clean, unpolluted materials should
   be used for fill

•  All material should be retained by
   dikes or bulkheads

•  The top and outside bank of the
   dikes should be vegetated

•  There should be a vegetative buf-
   fer strip at the outer limits of
   the fill to stabilize the soil
   surface

•  After filling, the new surface
   should be prepared with fertilizer,
   lime, mulch, or topsoil as needed
   for successful seeding

•  Should be considered only when rip-
   rap or vegetative shore protection
   is infeasible
                                                           Hubbard and Blair 1979
                                                           Canter et al.  1977
                                                           Canter et al.  1977
                                                           Canter et al.   1977
                                                           Canter et al.   1977
Hubbard and Blair 1979
                     Should be located landward of the
                     ordinary high water or wetland-
                     upland edge and not reflect wave
                     energy so as to destroy productive
                     bottom

                     Should be designed to avoid inter-
                     ference with littoral drift and
                     natural deposition of sand and
                     sediment
                                         Hubbard and Blair 1979
                                         Hubbard and Blair 1979
                     Retain or establish a buffer strip
                     of vegetation between the bulkhead
                     and shoreline

                     Material used to backfill bulkheads
                     should not be dredged from aquatic
                     or wetland areas
                                         Carrol 1976
                                         Hubbard and Blair 1979
                     Shore banks behind bulkheads  should
                     be graded back or terraced to con-
                     trol erosion
                                         Hubbard and Blair 1979
                                       83

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Table 3.3-4.   Examples of mitigation practices applicable to excavation and fill
     for construction of highways through wetlands (various sources in Nelson
     et al. 1982c).
    Activity
Excavation
and Filling
        Mitigation Concept
      Reference
Wetland crossings should be built
on elevated structures that pre-
serve natural drainage patterns;
pilings are better than fill to
ensure passage of water, nutrients,
and organisms

Pervious fill may be preferred over
impermeable solid fill, in combina-
tion with culverts
Canter et^ jil.   1977;
Carrol 1976
                                                           Nelson et al.  1982c
                     Culverts large enough to pass flood
                     flows should be set at depths in
                     highway fill necessary to provide
                     fish passage during low flow

                     Use many smaller culverts as
                     opposed to a few larger culverts
                     to promote freer flow

                     Sediment traps should be installed
                     to prevent sediment from leaving
                     the site
                                      Nelson et al. 1982c
                                      Mulvihill et al. 1980
                                      Hubbard and Blair 1979
                     Stabilize causeway banks and dis-
                     turbed upland slopes with vegeta-
                     tion or rock armor
                                      Nelson et al. 1982c
                     Construction should be timed to
                     avoid breeding,  spawning, and
                     nesting seasons, and to coincide
                     with low flows

                     Construct terrain under bridges to
                     allow movement of wildlife
                                      Hubbard and Blair 1979
                                      Swanson 1979
                                  84

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Table 3.3-5.  Examples of mitigation measures for control of wetland filling due
     to soil erosion and siltation (various sources in Nelson e_t al_. 1982c).
    Activity
Soil Cultivation
or Disturbance
        Mitigation Concept
Reference
Clearing of vegetation for construe-  Hubbard and Blair 1979
tlon should be restricted to what is
absolutely essential
                     Exposed soil should be protected
                     through revegetation,  mulching,
                     filter cloth, or riprap armor

                     Surface roughening (scarification)
                     may be useful in reducing surface
                     runoff over periodically disturbed
                     soils
                                      Hubbard and Blair 1979
                                      Nelson et al. 1982a
                                      Logan 1982
                     Use diversion features such as
                     rock-lined channels, runoff con-
                     trol berms, and terraces to divert
                     runoff from erodable surfaces

                     Incorporate settling basins or
                     retention ponds into storm dis-
                     charge systems

                     Provide windbreaks or vegetative
                     buffer strips to reduce soil
                     erosion

                     Control overgrazing within wetland
                     interiors and watersheds to reduce
                     erosion
                                      Canter et al.  1977
                                      Banner 1979
                                      Sampson 1979
                                      Committee on Impacts
                                      of Emerging Agricul-
                                      tural Trends 1982
                                  85

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Table 3.3-6.
Examples of mitigation measures for eutrophication from sewage
effluents discharged in wetlands (various sources in Nelson
et al. 1982c).
    Activity
               Mitigation Concept
      Reference
Sewage
Treatment
       Pre-treat effluent to remove con-
       stituents contributing to eutrophi-
       cation, particularly phosphorus

       Use holding tanks to allow efflu-
       ent application after growing
       season in order to reduce cyclic
       eutrophication

       Do not apply sewage effluents to
       wetlands that have poor flushing
       capabilities

       Vary the points of discharge into
       the wetland to improve effluent
       assimilation
Benforado 1981
                                                           Benforado 1981
                                                           Steen and Ton 1981
                                                           Benforado 1981
                     Provide dikes and outflow control
                     structures to avoid undesirable
                     low or high water and to allow
                     periodic flushing

                     Culture a plant such as  water
                     hyacinth within a primary discharge
                     basin; periodically harvest to
                     remove excess nutrients
                                             Benforado 1981
                                             Duffer and Moyer 1978
                                  86

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Table 3.3-7.  Examples of mitigation measures for control of temporary adverse
     effects from pipeline installation (various sources in Nelson et al.  1982c).
    Activity
        Mitigation Concept
      Reference
Pipelaying
Ditching
Alternate routes around wetlands
should be employed for pipeline
crossings when possible

Use existing access trails,
natural corridors, pipeline
rights-of-way and ditches,
where possible

Conduct heavy equipment operations
atop mats or floating barges

Pipeline ditches should be back-
filled as near as practicable to
the original marsh elevation with
original dredge

Pipeline corridors and other dis-
turbed sites should be revegetated
with wildlife food and cover crops
to prevent erosion
Hubbard and Blair 1979
                                                           Stone et al^.  1979;
                                                           Maiero,  Castle and
                                                           Grain 1978
                                                           Hubbard and Blair 1979
                                                           Longley,  Jackson and
                                                           Snyder  1981;  Hubbard
                                                           and Blair 1979
                                                           Steen and Ton 1981
                                      87

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              Factor
     Site specific vs.  general
     prescription for mitigation
       Reason That Factor
       Limits Mitigation
     Application,  monitoring,  and
     enforcement of  BMPs
     Prevalence of secondary and
     cumulative impacts
     Technological/management
     capabilities
     Cost
Standard permit conditions, nation-
wide or regional permits and Best
Management Practices (BMPs) may
overlook specific impacts on wet-
lands .

Indiscriminate BMP application,
monitoring, enforcement may
overlook site-specific impacts.

Secondary impacts such as release
of toxics during dredging in addi-
tion to elevated turbidity often
go unnoticed, make it hard to miti-
gate; cumulative effects may go
unnoticed but may be sublethal;
mitigation limited to primary ef-
fects avoids such impacts.

Wide variation in ability or
willingness of managers to actually
implement mitigation effectively.

Mitigation cost may be required of
some developers but not others,
resulting in inequities; may make
project infeasible; land acquisi-
tion costs may be high; mainte-
nance costs may be high; uncer-
tainties of success of mitigation
also a factor; long-term mainte-
nance cost/cost effectiveness may
be much greater than initial dev-
velopment costs (Figure 3.3-3).
     3.3.4.2  Feasibility of Wetland  Impact  Mitigation


     Factors Limiting Success.     Various  factors  can  act  to  limit  the

feasibility  of  wetland  mitigation activities.   The  OTA  report cites  the

following factors :


     Technical Feasibility of Mitigation Measures.     The OTA  study  noted

that some  activities may  be  feasible  to  mitigate  whereas others are not.

The  potential  primary,  secondary, and  other impacts must  be well  under-

stood,   however   before  they  can be  mitigated.    Examples  of  mitigatable
                                  88

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     Figure 3.3-3.  Hypothetical cost comparison using three different mitigation
          measures to alleviate disruption of surface and subsurface drainage due
          to highway  construction on  wetland  fill (from Nelson  et_ a^.  1982c).
   Cost Category
Construction Cost   Low
Maintenance Cost    Low
Cost-Effectiveness
  10-year           Low
  100-year          Low
ReJative Cost and Effectiveness
                         Key to mitigati
                         • = Culvert through
                           = Bridge on
                           = Pervious fill!
                                       High


                                       High
                                       High
                                       High
   on measures:
        fill
  pliers
                                       89

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effects  include  removal  of  contaminated  sediments  in lake  restoration
projects  (a  CG  or  WWT)  example related  to  WWTP  projects would  include
selection  of  alternative  interceptor  routes  that  produce  the  smallest
amount of direct or indirect  wetland habitat disturbance).   Activities that
are infeasible to mitigate completely are cited as including direct habitat
elimination (filling,  bulkheading).   Off-site restoration or marsh creation
can  be accomplished,  but  at a  greater  cost, which  may not be  feasible.

     Cost.  Mitigation costs vary widely and depend on  the required  plan-
ning and design, capital outlays, maintenance, and monitoring requirements.
Fencing  is  listed  as  an  example  of  an  inexpensive mitigation  measure,
whereas  projects  involving restoration of old disturbed areas  or creation
of new  wetlands  are the most costly.  Such  costs must be considered rela-
tive  to  the  useful economic  life  of an  individual project,  however,  to
determine the actual cost/benefit ratio.

3.3.5  USEPA Indirect  Impact  Analysis Method

     USEPA  (Zimmerman,  1974)  prepared a  manual  for  determining indirect
socioeconomic  impacts  of sewage  treatment  facilities  construction  and
operation.  The  manual  includes  sections  that describe methods  to define
indirect  impacts  on water resources and land resources,  two  impact cate-
gories that could directly affect wetlands.   The general types of potential
indirect  effects  on wetlands were discussed in Section  2.2.   This section
summarizes  the methods  used to  address water and land  resource  impacts
presented in Zimmerman (1974).

     The  overall  method  presented by Zimmerman (1974)  to  address indirect
impacts  is  shown  in  Figure  3.3-4.   The  initial  step  is to  project  the
magnitude  and  direction of  population  growth,  and  associated  types  of
development (industrial, commercial, or  residential).   Indirect impacts on
wetlands  due  to  this  induced  growth may  then be  determined.   Pollutant
loadings from non-point runoff  may be estimated by use of so-called "pollu-
tion coefficients."  The coefficients are used to predict changes in pollu-
tion  levels  with  and  without  the  proposed  waste  treatment  facility
(Figure 3.3-4).   The  levels  of  expected pollution  are  then  compared with
                                  90

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various  standards,  criteria,  guidelines, etc...  to determine  if  "excess"
pollution might result in  impacts  on wetlands.   It is  not clear at present
what  the term  "excess"  exactly  signifies,  however,  since water quality
standards for discharges or  allowable amounts  of non-point runoff  have not
yet been developed.

     The  "pollution  coefficient"  is  actually  expressed  in units  of  waste
generated per unit  of  economic activity (production or  employment).   This
allows  estimates  of the total  amounts of pollution generated  per unit of
land (i.e.,  geographic  sub-units)  to be determined.  Pollution  ratios  under
alternative  spatial  arrangements  can also be compared.   Coefficients have
been developed by Zimmerman (1974)  for two major categories (industrial and
residential/commercial).   Coefficients are further subdivided into  "direct"
pollution discharge  types  (point  source) and  "indirect"  pollution  types
(non-point  source).   USEPA  (1978)  presented methods  to  assess  pollution
from agriculture and mining,  not  included in the  Zimmerman (1974) report.
Appendix  I  presents the methods used by Zimmerman (1974)  to  generate the
industrial and residential/commercial  pollutant  coefficients.   These  coef-
ficients  could  be  used  to  predict  secondary  impacts  on projects  where
wetlands are involved.

3.3.6  USEPA Secondary  Impact Analysis Methodology

     USEPA  (1978)  published  a manual  for  analyzing  indirect impacts of
wastewater  treatment facilities that  included  a section  on wetlands.  The
method  requires  initial  determination of long-term projections  in popula-
tion and land-use changes.    Possible  areas  that include wetlands and  could
be  subject  to effects  of  induced  growth are  then identified.  To  make the
population and land-use  projections,  the boundaries of the study  area are
first  established.   This  requires use  of specialized   terminology.    The
"service  area"  is defined as  the  area  in  which growth  is induced by the
treatment facility over  and  above  that which would occur in the absence of
the project (Figure 3.3-5).  The service area is defined by the communities
served  by the treatment facilities  and is available  from the  facilities
plan.   The  service  area lies within a larger  area  called the  "economic
area"  (Figure 3.3-5).  This  may constitute either a standard  metropolitan
                                  92

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statistical area, an  individual  county,  or a multiple-county region linked
or associated with a  city.   "Growth areas" are potentially competing areas
with  similar  growth  characteristics as  the service area,  but  which would
experience any  additional development over  and above that  induced within
the service area  (Figure  3.3-5).  The growth areas have  several character-
istics, including:

     • Similar availability of undeveloped land with good development
       potential;
     • Proximity to developed areas;
     • Comparable land prices;
     • Shopping/recreation opportunities; and
     • Similar community attitudes towards future growth.
     A fourth area,  termed the "sub-area" is defined as the portions of the
economic area likely  to experience induced growth (Figure  3.3-6).   Deter-
mination  of  the  sub-area is  usually done  on  the  basis  of  professional
judgment using all the available  baseline information.   The sub-area is the
critical area for determining secondary impacts.

     To determine impacts on wetlands, the distribution  of  these habitats
within the economic area are first mapped on an overlay.   Possible wetlands
that overlap with sub-areas  are  then identified by  superimposing the wet-
land and   sub-area overlays.   This allows determination  of  areas that may
be  directly  eliminated  by induced  growth or areas  that may  produce en-
croachment, hydrologic,  or pollutant runoff impacts on  adjacent wetlands.
The  acreage  of  affected  wetland  can  be determined  by  planimetry  and
expressed  either  as  total acres  or as  a percentage of  the total wetland
available in the watershed or economic area.   The manual also suggests that
hydrologic impacts may  be roughly estimated by conducting a well survey in
the vicinity of  the affected area.  If wells  are very shallow and located
adjacent to a wetland,  it is probable that  the well is replenished by the
wetland  (Figure  3.3-7).   In contrast,  if the  wetland  is recharging  an
underground  aquifer  not  hydrologically  connected  with  the wetland,  the
wells would not be affected (Figure 3.3-7).
                                  94

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Figure 3.3-7. Example situations whereby wells located near a wetland nay or
        may not be directly hydrologically connected (from USEPA 1978).
                                         96

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3.3.7  State of New Jersey Bureau of Regional Planning Indirect Impact
       Analysis Methodology
     The New Jersey  Bureau of Regional Planning  (1975)  published a metho-
dology  for  assessing indirect  impacts of  wastewater  treatment facilities
construction and  operation.   The  method  is  outlined  in Table  3.3-8,  and
presented in more  detail in Appendix  J.  Although  the method is primarily
socioeconomic, it  is  a comprehensive  planning tool and describes means for
including wetlands.  No specific method is provided for evaluating baseline
conditions or  for  determining the specific types or magnitudes of impacts
expected to result on wetlands  (see Appendix J).  Rather, this method pro-
vides a means  of  identifying situations where induced growth might produce
encroachment on wetlands,  wetland  habitat elimination, or increased runoff
and erosion on wetlands  within a service area.  Since the method is essen-
tially self-explanatory, it will not be discussed further here.

3.3.8   The Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources/Canadian Wildlife
        Service Methodology
     The  Canadian  government  (Ontario  Ministry  of  Natural  Resources/
Canadian  Wildlife  Service  1983)  has  developed  an evaluation  system  for
wetlands south of  the pre-cambrian shield.  The method provides a means of
objectively  establishing  the  functions,  values  and  areal  extent  of  a
particular wetland.   The  document  includes a description of  the method as
well as  a users manual.   It is  a relatively detailed  approach which  re-
quires a substantial  expenditure of labor to complete.   The method requires
completion  by  a  qualified  biologist  with  knowledge  of  local  flora,
knowledge  of   aerial  photographic  interpretation  of  wetland  extent  and
boundaries, and general  knowledge  concerning  wildlife.  It also requires a
minimum of two weeks  of training to become familiar with the method.

     The method considers four components of wetland values including:  (1)
biological  values;   (2)   social  values;  (3)  hydrological  values  and  (4)
special feature  values.   Each  value  category is  rated by  the method  and
assigned a  score of  from 0 to  250  points.   The advantage of  such a large
"point  spread" is  that  it  is  more   sensitive  to   subcomponent  wetland
features,   and  allows  more accurate  evaluation  of "minor"  values (those
assigned only  a  few  points).   The  system also weights  scores  within each
                                   97

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                 EXPLANATION  OF THE METHOD  FOR  EVALUATING
            SECONDARY  IMPACTS OF  REGIONAL SEWERAGE SYSTEMS

The  purpose of investigating the seven  categories in these  guidelines in the order  suggested is  to
gain  an  understanding of the  growth-induced impacts which  may result from each  of  the  alterna-
tive  systems which have been proposed. It  is necessary to determine the probable  rate and pattern
of growth in the  service area which  will result from each alternative and  then to  analyze the im-
pacts of that growth. Following is a summary of the rationale  behind  the guidelines.

SECTION  I

Determine pressure for development.  To get an indication  of the amount  of pressure  for  develop-
ment in the area, determine what development has  occurred since  1960 and what is happening
now.  Separate  by type of land  use.  This will  help to determine whether or not there will be a
high  rate of growth  once  the sewers are in. Trends should be adjusted  for short-term  influences.

SECTION  II

Measure vacant, developable land. To get an idea of how  much growth could  occur, determine
how  much  vacant, developable  land  there is. Also indicate natural  and physical limitations of  the
land  for development.

SECTION  III

Compare proposal with  existing plans. To see  if the proposed project conflicts in  any  way with
existing  plans,  compare  a  map  of the service area showing  the  location of the proposed system
with  plans and future land use  plans of municipalities, counties and the State, including plans for
highways, parks, reservoirs, and  environmentally critical areas. (Include  such agencies as the New
Jersey Highway and  Turnpike Authorities and  the Atlantic  City Expressway.)

SECTION  IV

Evaluate municipal attitude toward growth.  The  level of land use planning in  an  area  will be
decisive  in determining potential secondary  impacts  so it  is  necessary  to  evaluate  the  quality of
the planning effort which  is being carried out in each  municipality. A checklist  of indicators  is
given  with which  to  measure  the degree of  commitment  to  basic planning objectives.

SECTION  V
Estimate growth.  While  it is difficult to estimate growth  when  counties and municipalities have
tended to  simply  accommodate  growth as it comes  along  rather than setting limits and specifying
timed stages for development, this task  must be carried out in  as  enlightened  a manner as possible.
It  is  necessary to estimate the  amount and  pattern  of  growth which will  occur  in the ten years
after construction. This  estimate will be based mainly on  previously gathered information, such  as
the amount  of vacant, developable land, municipal policies  and  attitudes,  the pressures for develop-
ment in the area, and the development trends, e.g.,  PUDs.

SECTION  VI

Measure impact. All  the previous steps lead up to this one, which  should  be  considered the heart
of the analysis. Using the estimates of the  pattern  and rate of  growth  above, describe the potential
impacts  of  this growth  on the  individual municipalities and  the region.

SECTION  VII

Weigh alternatives. This  section  should  be a thorough evaluation of the alternative proposals  in
terms of ths long-range  impacts discussed in the previous  section.  If possible it  should conclude
vvitn  a recommended  project  proposal which would have  the least  adverse  impact  while adequately
solving the  current water  quality  problems  of  the area. The possibility  that ail alternatives repre-
sent  too large  a solution to existing problems should not be ignored.
Table  3.3-8.  Outline  of  method  used by the New Jersey Bureau of  Regional
      Planning (NJBRP  1975)  to assess indirect  sewerage system impacts.
                                               98

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wetland  component evaluated  according  to  the  importance of  each.   More
weight  is  assigned to  values such as  breeding areas  or  habitats for en-
dangered species, for example.  The weighted values were the result of over
2  years of  field testing,  and consultation  with experts.   The weighted
values have therefore been readjusted and reviewed extensively.

     The biological  component includes  the  following three subcomponents:
(1)  productivity;  (2)  diversity;  and (3) size.   Productivity  is evaluated
by estimating  five values,  including (1) growing  degree days  (from estab-
lished map),  (2)  wetland soil type (from soil maps and field confirmation)
(3)  type  of wetland  (bog,  fen, carr,  swamp or marsh); (4)  site (physio-
graphic  type  according  to  Cowardin's  method)  and (5) nutrient  status  of
surface water  (chemical  testing  of total dissolved solids  and conductivity
required).   Diversity  is evaluated by considering number  of  wetland types
present; types of vegetation communities, diversity of surrounding habitat,
nature  of  adjacent wetlands,  and  interspersion with  open water.  Size  is
evaluated  by  relating  extent  and  quality  of the  wetland.   A detailed
summary  of the  biological  evaluation  method  is  included  in Appendix L.

     The social  component  of the  method  evaluates  four  wetland charac-
teristics,   including:   (1)  resources  with  cash value  (timber,  rice,  com-
mercial  fish,  bullfrogs,  snapping turtles  and  fur  bearers);  (2)  recre-
ational  activities (intensity of  use for hunting; nature  study/ apprecia-
tion,  fishing  or boating);  (3)  aesthetics  (rating of  landscape distinct-
ness,  absence of  human disturbance);  (4)  education  and  public  awareness
(frequency  of  educational use, types  of facilities and programs,  use for
research);   (5) proximity to urban areas (distance);  (6) ownership/accessi-
bility  (degree of accessibility  for  various  types  of public or private
ownership)   and (6)  size (correlates  size  score  with other  social  value
scores directly in a  table).

     The hydrologic  component  addresses the  following four  values:   (1)
flow stabilization; (2) water quality improvement;  and (3)  erosion control.
The  flow  stabilization  evaluation  includes  making estimates  of  water de-
tention due to surface area.  This evaluation is based on size of catchment
basin  above wetland  in  relation to total extent of other bodies of  water
                                  99

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draining  into  the  wetland,  the  size of  any  adjoining  lakes or  rivers,
location/size of detention areas  within  30 Km above or below  the wetland,
land use  characteristics and  size.   The  flow stabilization evaluation also
includes making an  estimate of  flow augmentation (based on size of wetland
and relative position in the watershed).

     The water quality improvement sub-component is evaluated by analyzing:
(1) short  term nutrient  removal  capability (soil type; flooding  depth and
frequency; ratio of  emergents to  submerged vascular plants;  land use); (2)
long term nutrient removal  capability (based on organic sediment character-
istics);  and  (3)   erosion  control  (erosion  buffering and  sheet  erosion
functions).  Several hydrologic  functions which have been  included in other
methods were omitted from this method. These include groundwater recharge,
role of organic  soils  in hydrology, surficial geology, and drag effects of
vegetation in  detaining  flood waters.  The rationales  for  these  omissions
are also provided.

     The special features component considers the following wetland values:
(1) rarity and/or  scarcity; (2)  significant features and/or fish and wild-
life habitats; and  (3)  ecological age.  Rarity/scarcity is evaluated based
on  a  scale  of known  relative  scarcity  of  wetlands in  different  physio-
graphic  provinces  (regardless of  wetland type)  (on a scale  of 5  to 35,
where 35  is  very scarce and 5 is not scarce).  Also included in this eval-
uation  is a similar  estimate for  rarity  of specific  wetland type within
each  province.   Other  considerations include  individual species  rarity,
breeding  habitat for  provincially  significant and/or  endangered species,
traditional  migration  or  feeding  habitats  for  endangered  species,  and
regionally important species.

     The  evaluation  of  significant  features  and/or fish  and  wildlife
habitat includes  consideration  of: (1) nesting  colonial  waterbirds (known
nesting/feeding areas and  history of nesting); (2)  winter cover  for wild-
life;   (3)  waterfowl  staging;   (4)  waterfowl  production;  (5)  migratory
passerine  stopover  area; (6) significance for fish spawning  and rearing;
and (7)  unusual geological or  surficial features.  Items 2 through 6 are
                                  100

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based on  an estimate  of  whether the wetland is  of  national  (provincial),
regional or local  significance,  and  the relative value of each function at
these levels.

     The ecological age component  is based on the assumption  that systems
that require long  periods  of  time to develop ecologically  would also take
the  longest  time to  recover  or  restore.  Under  this  assumption,  bogs  are
weighted the highest,  fens  next  highest, swamp/carrs the next  highest,  and
marshes the lowest.

     As a means  of  summarizing the Canadian method,  the final  checklist as
it has been developed is included here as Appendix M.
                                  101

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4.0  CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

4.1  Conclusions

     The objectives of the present study were to review the existing liter-
ature  concerning  available  methodologies  to  assess  baseline  conditions
within wetland ecosystems and impacts of CG related activities on wetlands.
The  ultimate  objective  of  USEPA  Region  V  is   to  use  the  information
assembled  in  this review  to  develop a  method that can  be used  by state
agencies, facilities planners and  other organizations  in screening adverse
effects on wetlands  that potentially could result from implementation of a
given facilities  plan (the method  could also  be used for other  types of
projects).  Identification of potentially adverse impacts (red flags) would
allow determination  of issues  that  would lead to the requirement  of more
detailed,  site-specific  studies.    Therefore,  the  screening  methodology
would not involve extensive quantitative analysis.

     The need  for  such a methodology has arisen  because  of the great dif-
ferences in the scope and emphasis of environmental assessments of wetlands
prepared  during the  facilities planning  process in  the  past.   In  many
instances, the numerous  biological,  physical-chemical  and social  values
associated with  individual  wetlands  potentially  affected by  wastewater
treatment developments  have not been identified.  A methodology  is  there-
fore required  that objectively  screens  a broad range of  wetland values and
functions and  that accurately flags  potential effects  of a facilities plan
on these values  and  functions.   This approach will help  fully address NEPA
concerns  and  avoid  violation   of  the  various  laws and  regulations  that
protect wetlands from damage or  degradation (including  the Clean Water Act,
two executive orders, and other  similar  laws or regulations).

     On the basis  of  the literature review in  Section 3.0,  it can be con-
cluded that a  large  number of  methodologies for  assessing  various  aspects
of wetland values  and  functions  have   been  developed.   No single  method
reviewed, however, meets the requirements of a quick screening technique to
determine a broad  spectrum of wetland values and  functions  and the poten-
                                  102

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tial  for adverse  effects  of  construction grant-related  activities.   The
vast  majority of  the  methods  reviewed deal  with site-specific  means  to
evaluate baseline ecological functions.  These methods (such as HEP or HES)
are  highly  detailed and  require  a  significant  amount of  labor  (although
both  HEP and  HES  can  be  greatly scaled  down).   The method  developed  by
Adamus  (1983)  most closely  approximates  the  screening method required  by
USEPA  Region V states  for facilities planning,  because  it determines the
values  and   functions  of  a  wide variety  of wetland  characteristics,  in-
cluding  ecology, soils,  hydrology and recreation.  However, in its present
state  the method of Adamus (1983),  although defined  as  a rapid assessment
technique,  is  in reality rather lengthy and requires  several  days to com-
plete.   It  would thus  be feasible  for  use primarily only for major pro-
jects.   The State  of  Wisconsin is currently modifying  this method so that
it  is  not  so  extensive.   The  WDNR method should  be  obtained  and reviewed
for  possible  adaptation for use by other states since it addresses a rela-
tively  complete range  of wetland values and functions.   All other methods
reviewed in the present study, however, dealt with a limited number of wet-
land features  of one  general type or strictly with ecological characteris-
tics.

     An additional conclusion is that no methodologies have yet been devel-
oped that specifically  address  the detailed indirect cumulative impacts of
induced  growth on  wetlands within  the "economic area"  affected  by such
growth (see Section 3.3.7).  Methods developed to date have included only a
very general evaluation of possible effects, such as the number of acres of
habitat  directly  eliminated, possible hydrologic  impacts,  or  "presence  or
absence"  criteria.    Secondary  impacts, however, are  typically  the  most
significant  result of  facilities  plan implementation.   This is  because
induced  growth affects  a much  larger geographical  area  than  the actual
habitat  eliminated  or disturbed  by  construction and operation  of  a waste
treatment  system.  Methods  are available  for  determining  the  nature and
extent of expected  population increases and land use changes resulting from
induced  growth,  as well  as the  impacts  of such  changes  on water quality
resulting  from increased  non-point  erosion and  sedimentation,  industrial
activity, or  changes  in point discharges.   What is now required is a means
to screen such impacts  and link them directly to the possible effects they
may have on wetlands.   An additional area not  typically  included in eval-
                                  103

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uating the effects of facilities plans on wetlands is the subject of direct
cumulative impacts.  According  to  definitions used in the  present  litera-
ture  review, direct  cumulative effects  differ  from indirect  cumulative
effects of  induced growth in that  the  latter deal only with  the economic
area  affected by an individual  waste treatment  system.  Direct  cumulative
effects would  include  the  total combined  primary impact  of  two  or  more
individual  treatment  systems within  a larger  geographical area or  basin
encompassing several economic  areas  (see  Section 3.3.7  for definition of
the  term  "economic areas").  Both  direct and  indirect  cumulative  impacts
are  difficult  and time-consuming  to  evaluate,  however,   because  of  the
larger  geographic areas  involved  and  the  consequent requirement  of  more
labor  and resources to complete  the analysis.  Nevertheless,  facilities
planning  potentially could  have  adverse cumulative effects on wetlands and
assessment of this type of effort should be incorporated  at some  level into
the proposed screening  methodology.

4.2  Recommendations

4.2.1  Incorporation of Screening Method into Facilities  Planning

     A methodology needs  to be  developed that will  enable agency  staffs,
planners  and/or   their  consultants  to  evaluate  baseline conditions  and
determine potential adverse impacts on wetlands during the  course of facil-
ities planning.   A possible  outline for the method was presented in Figure
1.2-1.  Whatever method  is developed, it  is recommended  that  it be  in-
tegrated  into the planning  process  at an early  phase.   The method of Reed
and  Kubiak  (1983)  who  developed  a  means  for  incorporating a  wetland/
wastewater discharge review process into facilities planning, could also be
modified and used.  Figure  4.2-1 summarizes their approach which is  based
on  the "degradation" concept.   Because it  represents the  only  published
attempt to date that concerns the integration of legal, regulatory,  and ad-
ministrative constraints into the process of wetland impact evaluation, the
approach  is  briefly outlined here  (a  similar  logical procedure could be
developed for construction grant projects in general).
                                  104

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                        Discharge  Location:  Wetland Use
                        (Process  to  be  Completed During
                            the Step I  Grant Phase)
                                                                   Facility Planning
                                                                   Process:  Step 1
                             Artificial
                                                      Incompatible
                                                          Use
                              Groundwater or
                             Effluent Impact
                               Evaluation
              Ecological
              Evaluation
                                                                          Ecological
                                                                          Evaluation
                                                             Compatible
                          Controlled
                          Degradation
Non-Degradati
     Policy
                                         Engineering
 Incompatible
    Use
                                         'Evaluation
                                                       Incompatible
                                                           Use
           Incompatible
Compatible

                                 Proceed
                               Approval
                                                                      Water Quality
                                                                      Standards
                                                                      Effluent
                                                                      Limitations
Figure 4.2-1.   Method used by Reed and Kubiak (1983) to incorporate
     wetland evaluation into the facilities planning process.

                                    105

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     The Reed and Kubiak  method provides a means of  determining  discharge
suitability early in the planning process, and is based on the requirements
of the water quality standards process and limitations specified in Section
402 permit procedures.  The  initial  step in this method  is  to apply appro-
priate screening criteria to determine the quantity and quality of effluent
discharged, as  well as the  cost-effectiveness of  the  wetland alternative
(no screening criteria were given in the paper).

If, following the initial screening,  a natural wetland  alternative  is  not
determined  to  be  feasible,   feasibility  of other  modes of  discharge  (to
surface  water  or groundwater)  need  to be  identified.   If  an artificial
wetland is determined to be feasible,  the impacts on the "receiving waters"
must be  determined  in  relation  to existing water quality limitations, just
as  in  the case of  a conventional discharge.  In some  cases  water quality
limitations may prevent use of an artificial system (Figure 4.2-1).

     If a  natural wetland is determined to be feasible, then an ecological
evaluation is  needed to  determine  if this alternative  is  compatible with
water quality standards and  to  determine if adverse impacts to the wetland
would result (Figure 4.2-1).   This  evaluation should precede the decision
concerning use of a natural  wetland for wastewater application.   Use of a
natural  wetland  alternative  may  not  be feasible if it  is  determined that
such an alternative  is  incompatible  with the  maintenance of high  water
quality standards in a  particular receiving stream, for example.   In other
cases it may be determined that water quality will not be degraded signifi-
cantly by  the natural  wetland alternative, and that  it  thus  constitutes a
feasible alternative as a regulated  ("controlled degradation  or enhance-
ment")  discharge.   The  discharge  needs to meet criteria  for  water quality
standards and effluent  limitations, however,  this procedure (Figure 4.2-1)
allows   for  flexibility  in  making  permit  decisions  regarding a  wetland
discharge, and  also  allows   for  discontinuing  a  discharge  if monitoring
programs show that detrimental impacts are occurring.

     Once  the  wetland  alternative  is  selected,  an  ecological evaluation
should  be  conducted (Figure  4.2-1).   Reed and Kubiak (1983) concluded that
the evaluation should determine:
                                  106

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  •  Areal extent and boundaries of the affected wetlands;
  •  Existing  ecological  functions  of  the  receiving  wetland,  and
     importance of the wetland to the surrounding watershed;
  •  Types and quality of plant and animal communities;
  •  Existing  government management  programs  that might  involve the
     wetland; and
  •  Existing regulatory programs that apply to the wetland.
     The evaluation  of  the existing features of the wetland should include
characterizations of the following factors:

  •  Surface water and groundwater quality;
  •  Hydrologic  regime  (especially  storm  flow  characteristics  and
     groundwater recharge characteristics);
  •  Flood control,  water storage  and  aquifer yield  during  low flow
     periods.
  •  Shoreline  erosion/protection  characteristics  provided  by  the
     wetland; and
  •  Overall ecological  quality  (species  diversity and health; poten-
     tial  recreational,  research,  and  educational  uses;  and socio-
     economic values).
     To  complete the  evaluation,   appropriate  field  studies  can  be per-
formed.  These should include measures of plant and animal species composi-
tion,  abundance,  and diversity.   Methods  for  performing such detailed
inventories  are  presented in  Reed  and  Kubiak (1983)  and  in  USEPA (1983).
The  results  of  the ecological evaluation can  be  used  during the course of
the  facility planning  process to provide a  detailed basis for determining
potential  impacts  on the  receiving wetland, and for  establishing the ac-
ceptability of the discharge.

4.2.2  Baseline Evaluation:  Screening Method Requirements

     The screening  method must  encompass  a broad range  of wetland values
and  functions  in order  to be as  objective as possible.   The majority of
methods used to  date have focused on one  or only a few wetland values and
functions.   The  screening  method should allow for a complete assessment of
                                  107

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the  baseline  characteristics  and  their  interaction,  so that  potential

impacts can  be readily  identified.   It is therefore  recommended  that the
following values  and functions  be  included in  the  screening methodology:


     Groundwater recharge capability;
     Groundwater discharge capability;
     Surface water discharge features (quality, quality);
     Flood storage potential;
     Flood desynchronization potential;
     Shoreline stabilization function;
     Sediment trapping function;
     Nutrient retention/removal functions;
     Food chain support;
     Aquatic habitat value (quantity/quality);
     Terrestrial habitat value (quantity/quality);
     Uniqueness/rarity in watershed and region;
     Historical/cultural  value (including  archaeological  resources);
     Presence  of  rare/threatened/endangered plants  or animals (state
     and federally listed); and
  •  Outstanding geomorphological features.

     The specific means  of screening  a given wetland  for  the above values

and functions  are not  yet developed.   Adamus (1983) presents a relatively

high labor-intensive method of quantifying many  of  the above characteris-
tics, but a low labor-intensive method has  yet  to be created that addresses

all of  these  functions  and values (possibly the WDNR method will meet this
requirement).   Such  a  method  could  be developed by modifying and/or com-

bining desirable features  of the various methods reviewed  in Section 3.0.
Nelson  et  al.  (1982c)  recently  developed a  state  guidelines  manual for

evaluating dredge and fill projects.   The  procedure presented in the USCOE
manual is outline in  Appendix K.   Also included in Appendix K is a copy of

the field report  sheets  used by the  biologist who  conducts the field sur-
vey.   Table  4.1-1  provides a  list  of  sources  of  information concerning

wetlands which could be utilized in the baseline evaluations.


4.2.3  Impact Analysis:   Screening Method Requirements


     Once the baseline characteristics (functions, values,  area! extent) of
the wetland  were  established, a  second step  could  be  developed  in which

potential  impacts  of  facilities plan  implementation  were screened.   The
screening impact analysis  should  provide a means of providing an  overview
of primary, secondary (induced growth) and  cumulative impacts of facilities
                                  108

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                                     109

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plan  Implementation  on wetlands.   All Impacts  analyzed  should relate  to
possible alterations in defined  baseline  values and functions (see above).
The initial step in analyzing these effects would identify:
     The amount and  quality  of  wetland, if any,  to  be  directly elim-
     inated or encroached on  by alternative treatment plant sites and
     interceptor routes;
     The amount and quality of wetlands to be eliminated or encroached
     on within  sub-areas  in  which  induced growth is most  likely  to
     occur as  a result of  implementation of various facilities plan
     alternatives;  and
     The amount and  quality  of  wetland to be eliminated or encroached
     on due to  both  primary  and secondary impacts within an "economic
     area" and the surrounding river basin or geographical area (i.e.,
     cumulative effects).
     The first item listed above provides information concerning how alter-
native  treatment system  construction and  operation  plans will  directly
affect  existing  wetlands  (i.e.,  primary  impacts).  Alternatives  could be
screened and evaluated initially relative to their potential effects.  This
can be  done  by superimposing proposed facility overlays onto wetland maps.
The second item  is  probably the most important,  since induced growth will
usually have greater  impacts (secondary  impacts) than treatment facilities
themselves.  Secondary  impacts  require  some type  of projection of popula-
tion  and  land use  changes.   A  rough idea of secondary  impacts of various
alternatives could  be obtained  by  superimposing  overlays  of  sub-areas of
induced growth (interceptor routes into undeveloped land) over wetland maps
for the affected economic  area.   This information could  be obtained from
existing and  proposed zoning, including building permit applications, and
building plans  on  file.  Cumulative impacts are much harder  to  estimate
because of the larger geographical area involved.  A method similar to that
presented in Galloway et_ al^. (1978)  could possibly be used, but such methods
are costly and labor-intensive.

     The screening  method would identify which wetlands within an economic
area  would  be eliminated directly  or would be  encroached  upon by primary
and secondary  development caused by a particular alternative.  The screen-
ing method also  should  identify which of the various  functions and values
                                  110

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identified in the baseline review would be altered, and the possible magni-
tude of  such  impacts.   For example, if the  wetland of concern was identi-
fied as  having a highly valuable  function as an  aquifer recharge area or
perhaps  as  a cultural  or recreational resource,  this  would be recognized
and  means  of  avoiding  such  impacts  could  be  incorporated  during  the
planning  phase  (possibly involving  choosing  an  alternative cost-effective
treatment  facilities  configuration that  does  not  impact  the  wetland).

     The  screening  method should also  enable the  planning  or agency staff
to identify available scientific methods to study particular issue areas in
depth at a later date.  If, for example, the effects of a WWTP discharge on
a  receiving wetland  were an  issue,  the  screening process  would provide
references  concerning  possible more detailed scientific  methods  to assess
such impacts  (these were summarized in USEPA, 1983).   These methods could
be  referenced during  the planning  process  and incorporated into  a con-
struction or post-construction monitoring program.

     The  results of the wetland screening evaluation could be incorporated
directly  into  the  Facilities  Plan if  no  adverse  impacts  were predicted.
The  agency  would  then  have  a  more sound basis  for making an  objective
decision  with  regard to  implementing  the project.  If  adverse impacts on
valuable  wetlands  were  predicted,  the agency could request  that  more de-
tailed  issue-specific  studies  be   conducted  (for  example  studies  of the
effects  of   wastewater   discharge  on  ecology,   the  affects  of  hydrologic
changes  on  aquifer functions,  or  effects on protected  species).   The re-
sults of  these  more detailed  issue specific  studies could  be incorporated
into  the facilities  plan,  and  used as the  basis for  determining either
which  alternative   should be  funded or  which possible  mitigative actions
should be used (Figure 1.2-1).

4.2.4  Recommended Screening Method

     Figure 1.2-1  presented  a  general outline  of  how a screening method
could be  incorporated  for use  in permitting and planning activities within
USEPA Region V.  It is recommended that such a method be developed and that
it then  be  incorporated into  the facilities  planning  process.  The method
                                  111

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could  be developed  by utilizing  the  most advantageous  features  of  the
approaches  presented in  Section 3.0,  and  then  integrating this  into  the
overall  planning process,  in a manner similar to  that recommended by Reed
and  Kubiak  (1983).   This  will  lead  to  improved  facilities  planning
decision-making  relative  to  effects  of  wastewater treatment  projects on
valuable wetland resources in Region V.
                                  112

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                                  REFERENCES
Adamus, P.R.   1983.   A method for wetland  functional  assessment:   Volume II.
     prepared  by Center  for Natural Areas for Federal Highway Administration,
     U.S.  Department  of  Transportation,  138  pp.  Report  No.  FHWA-IP-82-24.

Adamus,  P.R.   and  L.T.   Stockwell.   1983.   A method  for  wetland functional
     assessment:   Volume  I.  Critical  Review and Evaluation  Concepts.  Pre-
     pared  by  Center  for Natural  Areas for Federal  Highway  Administration,
     U.S.  Department  of  Transportation,  181  pp.  Report  No.  FHWA-IP-82-23.

Allen, K.O.,  and J.W.  Hardy.  1980.  Impacts of navigational dredging on fish
     and  wildlife:  A  literature  review.   U.S.  Fish and  Wildlife  Service,
     Office of Biological Services, FWS/OBS-80-07.

Banner, A.  1979.   Mitigation under the Corps regulatory program.  Pages 396-
     399 _In:   Swanson, R.G., ed.  1979.  The Mitigation Symposium:  A National
     Workshop  on  Mitigating Losses  of  Fish and  Wildlife Habitats.   USDA,
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                                    120

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           APPENDIX A

 Summary of construction related
impacts to wetlands as identified
       by previous studies

-------
     Schuldiner  et  al.  (1979) summarized the  potential  effects of highway
construction  on  wetlands.  The  basic types of  impacts  identified  are as
follows:

     •    Impacts associated with surface flows
          -    Changes in mean water level
               Change in periodicity of flooding
               Changes in circulatory patterns

     •    Impacts associated with sub-surface flows
               Alteration of local water tables

     •    Impacts of channel creation
               drainage of surface water
               elimination of periodic flooding and fertilization
               change in retention storage

     •    Impacts  of  interference  with  tidal   flow (not  applicable  to
          Region V)

     •    Impacts of reduced water quality
               turbidity
               sedimentation
               chemical pollution
               temperature

     Impact matrices  were constructed  for  each  of  several main  types of
construction   activities.    These  matrices   are  depicted   in  Appendix
Figures A-l through A-7  (minus  the tidal matrix).  Many  of  these types of
impacts can occur  from  the construction or operation of wastewater collec-
tion and treatment systems.

     Darnell jet^ a^. (1976) summarized a variety of impacts which may result
from construction  activities within  or  adjacent  to  wetlands.   This study
also has direct  applicability to FP (or CG) related  activities since most
of  the construction  activities  are  generalized.   The  following  general
types of activities were analyzed:
                                 A-l

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