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United States Environmental Protection Agency
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% ,r\x° EPA 843-R-15-010
National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016
Site Evaluation Guidelines
Version 1.1
March 2016
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National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016
Version 1.1
Site Evaluation Guidelines
March 2016
NOTICE
The goal of the National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) is to provide a comprehensive
assessment of the condition of the Nation's wetlands. The complete documentation of overall NWCA
project management, design, methods, and standards is contained in four companion documents:
•National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016: Field Operations Manual - 843-R-15-007
•National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016: Quality Assurance Project Plan - 843-R-15-008
•National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016: Laboratory Operations Manual - 843-R-15-009
•National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016: Site Evaluation Guidelines - 843-R-15-010
This document, National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016: Site Evaluation Guidelines ("Guidelines")
contains an overview of the process involved in locating a sampling site, evaluating the site to determine
if it should be sampled, and selecting appropriate alternate sites when necessary. It is based on
guidelines developed and followed in the Western Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program
(Peck et al., 2003), NWCA 2011, and the other National Aquatic Resource Surveys conducted by EPA and
the States and Tribes (http://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys). Methods described in
this document are to be used specifically in work relating to the NWCA. Mention of trade names or
commercial products in this document does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Further detail on the project overview and specific methods for field sampling, sample handling, and
sample processing can be found in the appropriate companion documents listed above.
The suggested citation for this document is:
U.S. EPA. 2016. National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016: Site Evaluation Guidelines. EPA-
843-R-15-010. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
Version History
Version
Date
Revision Comments
1.0
1/15/16
1.1
3/21/16
Minor clarifications and updated appendices (PV-1 form, site maps
and AA reference cards)
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 IDENTIFICATION OF WETLAND SAMPLING LOCATIONS 7
2.0 DESKTOP EVALUATION 10
3.0 OBTAINING PERMISSION TO ACCESS AND SAMPLE CANDIDATE SITE 13
4.0 FIELD EVALUATION 14
4.1 POINT VERIFICATION 14
4.2 SHIFTING THE POINT 16
5.0 SELECTING ALTERNATE POINTS 18
6.0 REPORTING SITE EVALUATION INFORMATION TO EPA 20
7.0 LITERATURE CITED 21
Appendix A: Instructions for filling out NWCA 2016 Site Evaluation Spreadsheet 22
Appendix B: Sampleable/Non-sampleable Categories 25
Appendix C: Point Verification Form 26
Appendix D: Examples of Site Maps Provided by EPA upon Request 28
Appendix E: Examples of Landowner Permission Letters and Forms 30
Appendix F: Survey Fact Sheets 33
Appendix G: Contact List 35
Appendix H: NWCA 2016 Assessment Area Reference Cards 36
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LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES
Figure 1. Process of point evaluation 5
Figure 2. Cowardin definition of wetlands used in NWCA 8
Figure 3. Example list of state sites from NWCA Site Evaluation Spreadsheet 19
Table 1. NWCA Target Wetland Types and cross-walk with US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Status &
Trends (S&T) wetland categories and USFWS National Wetland Inventory (NWI) wetland classes 9
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NATIONAL WETLAND CONDITION ASSESSMENT
SITE EVALUATION GUIDELINES
This document is provided to clarify the steps involved in the process of locating and evaluating a
sampling site for the National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA). The primary purpose of site
evaluation is to determine whether a random sample point selected by the NWCA design is a wetland in
the target population for the NWCA and is accessible and sampleable by a field crew. There are four
main steps involved in this process (Figure 1):
1. Locate the sampling point on an aerial image, topographic and/or similar map and determine
whether the point is within or very near (within 60 meters of) a wetland that is in the target
population for the NWCA.
2. Determine if the point is accessible.
3. Verify that the point is sampleable or can be shifted to a nearby location that is.
4. Sample the point OR replace with an alternate point.
Is POINT in or
near a target
wetland?
No
Yes / Maybe
No
Is POINT
accessible?
Can POINT be
shifted to a
sampleable
wetland?
No
No
Is POINT
sampleable?
Yes
Yes
POINT Verification
(on-site)
Permission to access
granted
"NYes / Maybe
Locate POINT on map
Replace with alternate
POINT
Sample POINT
Conduct preliminary
evaluation
(desktop / office)
Logistical and safety
constraints prevent
sampling
Permission to access
denied
Figure l. Process of point evaluation
In the process of completing each step in site evaluation, the Evaluation Team will assemble a site
packet that contains important location and access information for each site they are scheduled to visit.
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The site packet should contain appropriate maps, aerial images, contact information, photographs of the
site, copies of landowner permission forms, all required permits and any other specific requirements or
instructions to access and sample the site, and other information about the site that would benefit the
field crew (e.g., soil types, plant species lists). If the Evaluation Team does not include employees from a
state or tribal agency, they should contact appropriate state and tribal personnel to determine if they
are able to provide technical assistance in verifying sites within the state or tribal boundary. Before a
site visit, the Evaluation Team must contact the landowner(s) listed in the site packet to ensure they
have permission to access the site and to obtain relevant site access information. This information may
include:
¦ Presence of locked gates, pets, livestock, or other things that could impede access
¦ Active hunting, farming, mining, or other activities on or near the site
¦ Whether the landowner wants to be informed when the crew is on site
¦ Other current conditions that could prevent access (i.e., high water, forest fires, etc)
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1.0 IDENTIFICATION OF WETLAND SAMPLING LOCATIONS
Wetland sampling locations were chosen from a sample frame that included two components:
1) the most current National Wetland Status and Trends (S&T) assessment sample frame,
obtained from the USFWS (Dahl and Bergeson 2009, Dahl 2011); and
2) USFWS National Wetland Inventory (NWI) digitized maps of wetland types and locations
(http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/).
The S&T sample frame consists of all polygons mapped based on remote sensing information for over
5,048 four square-mile plots across the 48 states. The S&T plots were used as the base data layer for
the NWCA sample frame because they are the most consistent and current source of mapped wetlands
on a national scale. The digitized NWI maps were used to increase the number of wetlands in the NWCA
sample frame. Several other attributes incorporated into the sample frame are the boundaries for
states, the boundaries for the five aggregated Omernik Level III ecoregions used in reporting the
assessment results (NWCA Ecoregions), and designations of sites to one of twelve NWCA Survey Design
Groups (combinations of NWCA Ecoregions and NWCA Target Wetland Types). Table 1 below provides
descriptions of the NWCA Target Wetland Types.
Sample sites in the NWCA, hereafter referred to as "POINTS," were randomly selected from the NWCA
sample frame using a spatially balanced Generalized Random Tessellation Stratified (GRTS) survey
design for an area resource, with each point having a known probability of being sampled (Stevens and
Olsen 2004). The GRTS design ensures the sample is representative of wetland resources at national
and regional scales. Using this approach, 904 wetland assessment locations were selected from across
the conterminous US, consisting of 239 resampled sites from NWCA 2011 and 665 new sites. 96 of the
904 sites will be sampled twice to quantify variability in sampling. In addition, a pool of oversample sites
were selected for use as replacements if any of the 904 assessment locations are not sampleable.
POINTS were selected from wetland-designated polygons in the sample frame that are consistent with
the target population for this survey. The target population for NWCA 2016 is tidal and nontidal
wetlands of the conterminous U.S., including certain farmed wetlands not currently in crop
production. The wetlands have rooted vegetation and, when present, open water less than 1 meter
deep. The NWCA uses a scientific definition for wetlands described by Cowardin et al. (1979) (Figure 2)
that is broader than the regulatory definition of wetlands used in the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). A
wetland's jurisdictional status under state or federal regulatory programs does not affect a site's status
as target.1
1 Impacts to wetlands and other aquatic resources are regulated under the Clean Water Act when an aquatic
resource is determined to be a "Water of the United States". Jurisdictional Determinations are made on a case-by-
case basis according to the definition found in 40 CFR 230.3(s). For more information please visit the website:
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/guidance/CWAwaters.html.
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COWARDIN DEFINITION OF WETLANDS
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 substrate 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.
Figure 2. Cowardin definition of wetlands used in NWCA.
The latitude and longitude of each candidate POINT is listed in a Site Evaluation Spreadsheet distributed
electronically by EPA to states, tribes, and contractors conducting field sampling for NWCA 2016. The
spreadsheet contains a list of base ("Basell_RVT2", "Basell", "Basel6") and oversample
("Basel6_OverSamp") POINTS selected by the survey design in each state. The POINTS are listed on the
spreadsheet in the order in which they were randomly selected. The first two POINTS are designated as
revisit sites and each one is sampled on a second occasion at least two weeks after the first sampling
event during the NWCA index period. POINTS designated as base sites are sampled once. All revisit and
base POINTS must be evaluated and sampled unless determined to be non-sampleable for reasons
identified later in this document. Oversample POINTS are replacement sites for revisit and base POINTS
that cannot be sampled.
In addition to the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet, EPA will provide other resources to assist in site
evaluation. This includes geospatial files (e.g., shapefiles, Google Earth KMZ files), soil and other site
attribute information (e.g. protected land status). Upon request, EPA will distribute site maps at
different scales on which the POINT locations are marked. The maps include the POINT location at scales
appropriate for 1) generally locating the POINT and determining how to access it, and 2) beginning the
initial evaluation on whether the POINT is sampleable (i.e., is it a wetland in the target population for
the NWCA, is it accessible, and is the wetland encompassing the POINT large enough to sample).
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Table 1. NWCA Target Wetland Types and cross-walk with US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Status & Trends
(S&T) wetland categories and USFWS National Wetland Inventory (NWI) wetland classes.
NWCA Target
Wetland
Type Code
NWCA Target Wetland
Type
S&T Wetland
Categories*1,
Included NWI Classes:
Systems/Subsystems2
EH
Estuarine Emergent
E2EM-Estuarine
Intertidal Emergent
Emergent and Aquatic Bed Classes in
Estuarine/lntertidal Subsystems
EW
Estuarine Shrub/Forest
£255 - Estuarine
Intertidal Forest or
Shrub
Forested and Scrub-Shrub Classes in
Estuarine/lntertidal Subsystems
PRL-EM
Palustrine, Riverine, and
Lacustrine - Emergent
PEM - Palustrine
Emergent
Emergent Classes in Palustrine Systems;
Shallow Riverine/Tidal, Lower Perennial,
Upper Perennial, or Intermittent
Subsystems; and Shallow
Lacustrine/Littoral Subsystems
PRL-UBAB
Palustrine, Riverine, and
Lacustrine -
Unconsolidated
Bottom/Aquatic Bed
PUB - Palustrine
Unconsolidated
Bottom
PAB- Palustrine
Aquatic Bed
Unconsolidated Bottom, Aquatic Bed
Unconsolidated Shore, Rock Bottom,
and Rocky Shore Classes in Palustrine
Systems; Shallow Riverine/Tidal, Lower
Perennial, Upper Perennial, or
Intermittent Subsystems; and Shallow
Lacustrine/Littoral Subsystems
PRL-f
Palustrine, Riverine, and
Lacustrine - Farmed
Pf- Palustrine
farmed
Farmed Modifier in Palustrine Systems;
Shallow Riverine/Tidal, Lower Perennial,
Upper Perennial, or Intermittent
Subsystems; and Shallow
Lacustrine/Littoral Subsystems
PRL-SS
Palustrine, Riverine, and
Lacustrine -
Shrub/Scrub
PSS - Palustrine
Shrub
Scrub-Shrub Classes in Palustrine
Systems; Shallow Riverine/Tidal, Lower
Perennial, Upper Perennial, or
Intermittent Subsystems; and Shallow
Lacustrine/Littoral Subsystems
PRL-FO
Palustrine, Riverine, and
Lacustrine - Forested
PFO- Palustrine
Forested,
Forested Classes in Palustrine Systems;
Shallow Riverine/Tidal, Lower Perennial,
Upper Perennial, or Intermittent
Subsystems; and Shallow
Lacustrine/Littoral Subsystems
* IMPORTANT NOTE: Status and Trends (S&T) category names DO NOT precisely equate to National Wetland Inventory
(NWI) Codes for wetland type. S&T categories often aggregate multiple NWI types.
1Dahland Bergeson (2009) Technical procedures for conducting status and trends of the Nation's wetlands. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Services, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation, Washington, D.C., p 74.
2US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory, Wetland Classification Codes.
http://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Wetland Codes.html. Accessed December 2014.
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2.0 DESKTOP EVALUATION
The primary purpose of desktop evaluation is to determine if the selected POINT is, or likely will be, in
the target population during the 2016 index period using data that is easily obtainable and verifiable
without the expense of a more intensive field visit. The focus of the desktop evaluation should be on
ruling out sites that are clearly not part of the target population for reasons described below. If
information obtained during the desktop evaluation is not conclusive then a field visit will be
necessary.
A number of sources of information are useful for the desktop evaluation. These include aerial images,
topographic maps, National Wetlands Inventory datasets, state, county, or tribal wetland resource data,
the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), soil maps, crop maps, road maps, personal and local
knowledge, literature and scientific reports, and land ownership records. The use of these sources is at
the discretion of the Evaluation Team but all information gathered will enhance POINT evaluation and
help to ensure that proper POINTS are sampled.
The procedures for conducting the desktop evaluation are detailed in the steps below. Information
found during the evaluation must be recorded on the NWCA2016_SiteEvalSpreadsheet_Vl_Jan2016
(Site Evaluation Spreadsheet). EPA provides each state or entity conducting sampling for NWCA 2016
this Excel spreadsheet to fill out electronically. Instructions for completing the Site Evaluation
Spreadsheet are provided in Appendix 1. Site evaluation information must be completed for all revisit
and base POINTS in the spreadsheet, as well as any oversample POINTS that are evaluated, regardless
of whether the POINT is selected for sampling or not. The information provided through the
spreadsheet will contribute to the statistical analyses of data from the survey.2
Step 1. Locate the POINT on the most recent aerial imagery that can be obtained. Using this imagery
and any supplemental sources of information, determine if the POINT is in or near (within 60
meters of) a wetland in the target population. If the image or other sources of information
provide conclusive evidence that the POINT is not in or near a wetland in the target
population, indicate that the site is non-sampleable and select the appropriate non-target
category on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet (see Appendix B for a list of sampleable/non-
sampleable categories). Provide an explanation for your choice in the appropriate column of
the spreadsheet detail any other explanatory information under the Additional Comments
column, and follow the procedures for selecting an alternate POINT in Section 5.0. Otherwise,
proceed to Step 2.
Step 2. Assess the predominant NWCA target wetland type for the POINT (see Table 1 for a
description of wetland types).
2A. If the wetland type at the POINT falls under the Palustrine, Riverine, Lacustrine -
Unconsolidated Bottom/Aquatic Bed (PRL-UBAB) NWCA target wetland type category,
review the aerial image and other sources of information to determine whether there is
conclusive evidence that the POINT (or area within 60 meters of it) is in a wetland that
is:
2 The use of the GRTS design allows for the correction of results to account for mapping errors (e.g., non-target
POINTS) and for the dropping of POINTS in the target population because they are non-sampleable (e.g., access is
denied).
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1. Strictly used for an industrial, agricultural, or aquacultural purpose. Examples that
support this assertion include visual evidence that the wetland is:
• Strictly used to treat waste (e.g., wastewater lagoons, mining ponds);
• Lined wholly with concrete or other manufactured, non-vegetated barrier;
• An industrial cooling pond, livestock tank, fish pen or hatchery, commercial
cranberry bog, etc.
OR;
2. Inundated by water greater than 1 meter in depth that covers most of the area (90%
or more) within a 60-m radius of the POINT.
If either of these criteria are met, indicate that the site is non-sampleable and select the
appropriate non-target category (see Appendix B for a list of sampleable/non-
sampleable categories) on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet). Provide an explanation for
your choice in the appropriate column of the spreadsheet, detail any other explanatory
information under the Additional Comments column, and follow the procedures for
selecting an alternate POINT in Section 5.0. Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
2B. If the wetland type at the POINT falls under the Palustrine, Riverine, Lacustrine Farmed
(PRL-f) NWCA target wetland type category, review the aerial image and other sources
of information and determine whether there is conclusive evidence that the wetland
will be in active crop production during the NWCA index period. Factors to consider
include:
• Recent evidence of tilling
• Confirmation of farm use by landowner
• Presence of row or close grown crops (corn, sugar cane, soybeans, etc.)
• Terraced land (or other evidence of rice cultivation)
• Other evidence uncovered during evaluation
If there is conclusive evidence the POINT (or area within 60 meters of it) is or will be in
active crop production during the index period, indicate that the site is non-sampleable
and select the appropriate non-target category (see Appendix B for a list of
sampleable/non-sampleable categories) on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet. Provide an
explanation for your choice in the appropriate column of the spreadsheet, detail any
other explanatory information under the Additional Comments column, and follow the
procedures for selecting an alternate POINT in Section 5.0. Otherwise, proceed to the
next step.
Step 3. Review maps, other collected information, or enlist the assistance of someone with personal
knowledge of the location of the POINT to determine if it is physically accessible by Field
Crews and safe to sample.
In order to achieve the most robust results possible with the probabilistic sampling design,
every effort must be made to sample the base points generated by the design. POINTS
should not be rejected based on inconvenience in access. POINTS that require lengthy hikes
from road access or the use of alternative vehicles (e.g., air boats, canoes) should not
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automatically be rejected. However, safety concerns for the field crew and permanent
physical barriers (e.g., cliffs) that prevent access are legitimate reasons to reject POINTS.
If these sources of information indicate conclusively that the POINT (or area within 60 meters
of it) is not accessible, indicate that the site is non-sampleable and select the appropriate non-
target category (see Appendix B for a list of sampleable/non-sampleable categories) on the
Site Evaluation Spreadsheet. Provide an explanation for your choice in the appropriate column
of the spreadsheet, detail any other explanatory information under the Additional Comments
column, and follow the procedures for selecting an alternate POINT in Section 5.0. Otherwise,
proceed to Step 4.
Step 4. Review maps, other collected information, or enlist the assistance of someone with personal
knowledge of the location of the POINT to determine if an Assessment Area (AA)
encompassing the POINT (or within 60 meters of it) can be established. The following criteria
must be met to establish a sampleable AA:
i. The AA is between 0.1 and 0.5 hectares in area
ii. AA is at least 20 meters wide
iii. AA contains less than 10% unsampleable area (unsampleable area is defined as
upland, non-target wetland types, standing water greater than 1 meter in depth, or
soft substrate that is unsafe or impossible to sample effectively)
iv. AA does not cross any hydrogeomorphic (HGM) boundaries (i.e., the AA contains
only one HGM type)3.
If the sources of information indicate conclusively that an AA cannot be established, indicate
that the site is non-sampleable and select the appropriate non-target category (see Appendix
B for a list of sampleable/non-sampleable categories) on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet.
Provide an explanation for your choice in the appropriate column of the spreadsheet, detail
any other explanatory information under the Additional Comments column, and follow the
procedures for selecting an alternate POINT in Section 5.0.
If the POINT is determined to be sampleable, follow the procedures for obtaining permission
to access the POINT in Section 3.0. If you are certain that the POINT is in the target
population, accessible, and the wetland encompassing it is large enough to sample, then the
POINT may be scheduled for sampling during the NWCA index period. Make sure to document
any relevant site access issues or special requirements uncovered during desktop evaluation
on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet.
If the status of the POINT is uncertain after desktop evaluation, then a field evaluation
(Section 4.0) should be conducted, after first obtaining permission to access the location of
the POINT.
Information and data sources used in the desktop evaluation should be retained as part of the project
record and incorporated into the site packet for each POINT. If you have questions about whether
information should be deemed conclusive evidence of a POINT'S status, please contact your EPA
Regional NWCA Coordinator and/or Gregg Serenbetz (contact information is provided in Appendix G).
3 Refer to Chapter 3 of the NWCA 2016 Field Operations Manual for detailed information on establishing the AA.
Reference cards listing criteria for sampleable AAs, examples of HGM boundaries or mixes of types to avoid, and a
key to assist in HGM classification are provided in Appendix H.
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3.0 OBTAINING PERMISSION TO ACCESS AND SAMPLE CANDIDATE SITE
Landowner permission is required to traverse, access, and sample any POINT that falls on privately-
owned land. Each Field Crew is responsible for obtaining the permissions necessary to access their
assigned sampling POINTS. Field Crews should follow protocols already established by their State, Tribe,
or organization to obtain permission to access private land. If no protocols exist, Field Crews should
employ the most personal contact practicable, enlisting the aid of any partners, groups or organizations
that may be able to provide meaningful assistance (e.g., state or tribal staff, local cooperative extension
staff, USGS) and potentially be more effective at obtaining landowner permission. It is vital for the
integrity of the survey to sample all POINTS that are in the target population whether they fall on
public or private land. All efforts should be made to obtain permission to sample POINTS on private
land.
An in-person visit is an effective way to establish contact with landowner(s) and could be incorporated
into field evaluation of the POINT (see Section 4.0). Past surveys have found that landowners are more
likely to grant permission if they meet with a study representative than if their only contact is through a
phone call or letter. If a personal visit cannot be made, a phone call is considered the best alternative. If
attempts to reach the landowner(s) through an in-person visit or telephone call are unsuccessful, a
letter should be mailed with a fact sheet on the survey and a permission slip for the landowner(s) to
return. Included in this package should be a return-addressed and postage-paid envelope with a specific
date by which the permission slip should be returned. See Appendix E for an example of a permission
letter, a letter sent to landowners in the Gulf of Mexico Pilot Assessment, and a sample landowner
permission slip. A signed permission slip can be important documentation to have when visiting the
site for field evaluation or sampling. A survey fact sheet providing basic information on the NWCA for
landowners is included in Appendix F.
Landowner information can be obtained from the county tax assessor's office. Tax assessor maps display
landowner boundaries, addresses and, oftentimes, phone numbers. This information enables the Field
Crew to contact landowners before accessing the POINT and will identify the landowners of parcels Field
Crews may have to traverse to reach the POINT. For some counties, these records are available through
a publicly-accessible electronic database that is searchable online. For other counties, it may require a
visit to the assessor's office to manually search these records.
Field Crews will also need to be aware of and follow any special conditions and requirements for
accessing and sampling on state, tribal, or federal lands. POINTS that fall on federal or tribal lands will be
identified when the site lists are distributed to states and tribes. Field Crews should work with
appropriate state, tribal, and federal agencies to determine whether any permits or special conditions
apply to these lands. EPA will provide assistance to Field Crews in coordinating efforts with federal land
management agencies and with state and tribal agencies as needed.
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4.0 FIELD EVALUATION
The components of the field evaluation of the POINT are similar to those outlined for the desktop
evaluation and the primary purpose is the same - to determine if the selected POINT is, or likely will be,
in the NWCA target wetland population during the 2016 sample period, accessible by a Field Crew under
the constraints of the NWCA, and within a wetland where an Assessment Area (AA) encompassing the
POINT can be established. Information obtained during the field evaluation must be documented on the
Site Evaluation Spreadsheet. A POINT Verification Form (PV-1) should also be completed for every POINT
assessed in the field, regardless of whether it is ultimately scheduled for sampling (see Appendix C for a
copy of the PV-1 Form). Using this form during field reconnaissance provides an easy and consistent way
to record and provide information about accessing the site (e.g., directions, access constraints, special
access requirements, etc.) to the Field Crew who will ultimately conduct the field sampling. When using
this form for field evaluation done prior to sampling, make sure to mark the bubble labeled "Recon"
next to VISIT at the top of the form.
The Evaluation Team that conducts the field evaluation should consist of at least 2 people, and one
should have experience in wetland delineation. An important component of the field evaluation will be
to determine if the POINT is in a wetland4, and if not, to determine if it is possible to shift the POINT to a
nearby area that is a wetland (see Section 4.2). This will be achieved more easily and quickly if one
member of the Evaluation Team is experienced in wetland delineation and can recognize wetland
characteristics in a variety of situations.
4.1 POINT VERIFICATION
The first task in field evaluation of the POINT is to verify that the site is accessible, the POINT is in the
target wetland population identified for the NWCA, and an Assessment Area can be established that
encompasses the POINT. The following steps document the procedures to accomplish this task.
Step 1. Record a detailed description of the route taken to access the POINT (roads, trails, etc.) on
the PV-1 Form starting from an appropriate central road intersection. In addition, note any
access issues or requirements (locked gates, permits, etc.). This information will be provided
to the Field Crew as part of the site packet used on the day of sampling.
Step 2. If permission to access the POINT has not yet been obtained, meet with respective
landowner(s) to discuss the survey and access to the POINT. This is also a good opportunity
to get information about the area that includes the POINT from the landowner. In particular,
if it is a farmed wetland, ask if the area will be in active crop production during the 2016
index period.
Step 3. Navigate to the POINT and verify the latitude and longitude of the POINT using a GPS
receiver set to reference NAD 83. Use at least one other map source to confirm your
location. If it is not possible or practicable to navigate to the exact location of the point due
to high water (over 1 meter in depth), safety, or other reason, detail this on the PV-1 Form
and determine whether this is likely to prevent sampling during the NWCA index period.
Take a digital picture to further document conditions at the POINT. The picture(s) should be
4 The NWCA uses a scientific definition for wetlands described by Cowardin et al. (1979) (Figure 2) that is broader
than the regulatory definition of wetlands used in the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).
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representative of the prevailing conditions at the POINT. Digital pictures should be saved
electronically and catalogued with NWCA site and date evaluated information to allow for
future retrieval.
Step 4. Assess the predominant NWCA target wetland type for the POINT (see Table 1 for a
description of wetland types). If the POINT is not a wetland or is not one of the NWCA target
wetland types described in Table 1 proceed to Step 6. Otherwise continue to Step 4A.
4A. If the wetland type at the POINT falls under the Palustrine, Riverine, Lacustrine -
Unconsolidated Bottom/Aquatic Bed (PRL-UBAB) NWCA target wetland type category,
document any evidence that the POINT is in a wetland that is:
1. Strictly used for an industrial, agricultural, or aquacultural purpose. Examples that
support this assertion include visual evidence that the wetland is:
• Strictly used to treat waste (e.g., wastewater lagoons, mining ponds);
• Lined wholly with concrete or other manufactured, non-vegetated barrier;
• An industrial cooling pond, livestock tank, fish pen or hatchery, commercial
cranberry bog, etc.
OR;
2. Inundated by water greater than 1 meter in depth that covers most of the area (90% or
more) within a 60-m radius of the POINT.
4B. If the wetland type at the POINT falls under the Palustrine, Riverine, Lacustrine Farmed
(PRL-f) NWCA target wetland type category, document any evidence that the wetland will
be in active crop production during the NWCA index period. Factors to consider include:
• Recent evidence of tilling
• Confirmation of farm use by landowner
• Presence of row or close grown crops (corn, sugar cane, soybeans, etc.)
• Terraced land (or other evidence of rice cultivation)
• Other evidence uncovered during evaluation
If evidence of any of the items listed in Step 4A and 4B is confirmed, then the POINT is not in
the target wetland population for the NWCA. Proceed to Step 6. Otherwise, continue to the
next step.
Step 5. Verify that an Assessment Area (AA) can be established for the POINT. Chapter 3 of the Field
Operations Manual provides full details on the establishment of the AA and should be used
as a reference when completing this step.
Select the aerial photo from the site map packet, or another image that best depicts the
setting at the POINT, and use this to annotate details on AA establishment. This annotated
image will be provided to the Field Crew sampling the site to facilitate their work on the day
of sampling.
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Using the maps provided as a guide and the information you find at the POINT determine if
an AA can be established that meets the following criteria:
i. AA is between 0.1 and 0.5 hectares in area
ii. AA is at least 20 meters wide
iii. AA contains less than 10% unsampleable area (unsampleable area is defined as
upland, non-target wetland types, standing water greater than 1 meter in depth, or
soft substrate that is unsafe or impossible to sample effectively)
iv. AA does not cross any hydrogeomorphic (HGM) boundaries (i.e., the AA contains
only one HGM type)5.
If an AA can be established, depict on the map the most appropriate layout utilizing the Key
to AA Layouts provided in the Field Operations Manual (Reference Card AA-1) and schedule
the POINT for sampling. If an AA cannot be established, proceed to the next step.
Step 6. If the information gathered in the previous steps indicates that the designated POINT is non-
sampleable, determine whether it is possible to shift the POINT to a place within 60 meters
of the original POINT that is sampleable by following the procedures outlined in Section 4.2.
Information, data sources, and pictures used in field evaluation should be retained as part of the project
record and incorporated into the site packet for each POINT. If you have questions about whether
information is conclusive evidence of a POINT'S status, please contact your EPA Regional NWCA
Coordinator and/or Gregg Serenbetz (contact information is provided in Appendix G).
4.2 SHIFTING THE POINT
If during POINT verification it is determined that the original POINT cannot be sampled because the
POINT is inaccessible, falls in a non-target wetland, or an Assessment Area cannot be established, the
next task is to determine if the POINT can be shifted to a sampleable wetland that lies within 60 meters
of the original POINT.6 The following steps document the procedures to accomplish this task:
Step 1. Navigate to the nearest spot that is the same NWCA wetland type listed for the original
POINT where a sampleable AA can be established. Using a range finder, GPS, or measuring
tape, determine if this is within 60 meters of the original POINT. If it is, record the GPS
coordinates for the shifted POINT in the Comments section of the PV-1 Form or in another
way that ensures the Field Crew has the shifted POINT coordinates when they sample the
site. On the day of sampling, the shifted POINT coordinates will be officially recorded on the
Assessment Area Establishment Form (AA-1). Take a digital picture to further document the
prevailing conditions at the POINT. Digital pictures should be saved electronically and
catalogued with NWCA site and date evaluated information to allow for future retrieval.
Field evaluation is complete and the POINT should be scheduled for sampling.
5 Refer to Chapter 3 of the NWCA 2016 Field Operations Manual for detailed information on establishing the AA.
Reference cards listing criteria for sampleable AAs, examples of HGM boundaries or mixes of types to avoid, and a
key to assist in HGM classification are provided in Appendix H.
6 60 meters is the distance that encompasses a roughly ± 1 second latitude/longitude degree mapping or GPS error
in the location of the POINT.
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Step 2. If there is not a wetland of the same NWCA type listed for the original POINT within 60
meters, navigate to the nearest spot that is a wetland in the NWCA target population where
a sampleable AA can be established. Using a range finder, GPS, or measuring tape determine
if this is within 60 meters of the original POINT. If it is, record the GPS coordinates for the
shifted POINT in the Comments section of the PV-1 Form or in another way that ensures the
Field Crew has the shifted POINT coordinates when they sample the site. On the day of
sampling, the shifted POINT coordinates will be officially recorded on the Assessment Area
Establishment Form (AA-1). Take a digital picture to further document the prevailing
conditions at the POINT. Digital pictures should be saved electronically and catalogued with
NWCA site and date evaluated information to allow for future retrieval. Field evaluation is
complete and the POINT should be scheduled for sampling.
Step 3. If there is not a wetland in the target population within 60 meters of the original POINT,
document this conclusion on the PV-1 Form and indicate that the site is non-sampleable and
select the appropriate non-target category (see Appendix B for a list of sampleable/non-
sampleable categories) on the Site Evaluation Spreadsheet. Provide an explanation for your
choice in the appropriate column of the spreadsheet, detail any other explanatory
information under the Additional Comments column, and follow the procedures for
selecting an alternate POINT in Section 5.0. Field evaluation is complete.
Information, data sources, and pictures used in field evaluation should be retained as part of the project
record and incorporated into the site packet for each POINT. If you have questions about whether
information should be deemed conclusive evidence of a POINT'S status, please contact your EPA
Regional NWCA Coordinator and/or Gregg Serenbetz (contact information is provided in Appendix G).
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5.0 SELECTING ALTERNATE POINTS
The list of POINTS randomly generated for the NWCA is organized in the NWCA 2016 Site Evaluation
Spreadsheet, provided to each state and contract crew by EPA. The spreadsheet contains a list of base
("Basell_RVT2", "Basell", "Basel6") and oversample ("Basel6_OverSamp") POINTS in the state. The
POINTS are listed on the spreadsheet in the order in which they were randomly selected. The first two
base POINTS are designated as revisit sites and each POINT is sampled on two separate occasions at
least two weeks apart during the NWCA index period. The other POINTS designated as base sites
(Basell, Basel6) are sampled once. The order of the sites on the list MUST BE maintained. All base sites
(Basell_RVT2, Basell, Basel6) must be evaluated, and then sampled unless determined to be non-
sampleable for one of the following reasons:
i. The POINT is inaccessible (due to safety, persistent deep water, or other physical barriers),
ii. Permission to access the POINT has been denied,
iii. The POINT is not in a target wetland, nor can it be shifted to a nearby wetland that is,
iv. An Assessment Area cannot be established for the POINT.
Base sites that are determined to be non-sampleable are replaced by oversample sites
(Basel6_Oversample), beginning with the first oversample site on the list. If a designated revisit POINT
(Basell_RVT2) is determined to be non-sampleable, then it is replaced by the next base POINT on the
state list and the first oversample POINT (Basel6_OverSamp) on the list becomes a base POINT.
Figure 4 is provided to help illustrate the process for replacing POINTS within a state. For example, if
NWCA16-1001 is determined to be non-sampleable, then:
1. The first Basell POINT, NWCA16-1003, becomes a revisit POINT; and
2. The first Basel6_OverSamp POINT on the list, NWCA16-1018, is added as a replacement
base POINT.
It does not matter that these are different NWCA wetland types. If NWCA16-1018 is also determined to
be non-sampleable, then it is replaced by the next oversample POINT, NWCA16-1019. As POINTS are
determined to be non-sampleable, Evaluation Teams will continue to work with the Designated EPA
Contact to replace them with oversample POINTS by selecting the next site on the list, irrespective of
NWCA wetland type.
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SITE ID
SITE_ID(2011)
Longitude
Latitude
Panel
NWCA Frame
Wetland Code
NWCA16-1001
NWCA11-1003
-88.11413662
30.38434018
Basell_
RVT2
PSS
NWCA16-1002
NWCA11-1002
-87.7289122
30.26178475
Basell_
RVT2
E2EM
NWCA16-1003
NWCA11-1027
-87.97703538
30.77236983
Basell
E2EM
NWCA16-1004
NWCA11-1005
-87.97994429
30.77328239
Basell
E2SS
NWCA16-1005
NWCA11-1015
-87.89575308
30.94791107
Basell
PFO
NWCA16-1006
NA
-87.9049208
30.43070776
Basel6
PFO
NWCA16-1007
NA
-85.07627149
31.14300235
Basel6
PFO
NWCA16-1016
NA
-87.97694433
30.78342738
Basel6
PFO
NWCA16-1017
NA
-86.03244037
33.93268236
Basel6
PEM
NWCA16-1018
NA
-85.30809094
32.30389262
Basel6
OverSamp
PFO
NWCA16-1019
NA
-88.22807894
32.22228491
Basel6
OverSamp
PFO
NWCA16-1020
NA
-88.24797232
33.64436007
Basel6
OverSamp
PFO
Figure 3. Example list of state sites from NWCA Site Evaluation Spreadsheet.
If the site will require extreme resources and / or considerable time to sample, contact the NWCA
Project Team (contact information below) for approval before dropping the site. Consider only physical
accessibility, and not access or sampling permission (i.e., evaluate this question with the assumption
that permission will be granted).
Information on POINTS determined to be non-sampleable and the selection of alternate POINTS to
replace them is reported to EPA and the NWCA Field Logistics Contractor throughout the period of site
evaluation and field sampling (see Section 6.0 for specific details). EPA and the Field Logistics Contractor
will review the information to:
i. Confirm that the correct process was used to select the alternate POINT,
ii. Confirm which Field Crew is responsible for sampling the alternate POINT (if multiple
organizations are sampling within state boundaries),
iii. Report the replacement of revisit and base POINTS with oversample POINTS to appropriate
Field Crew(s) and agencies AND to the EPA Project Team.
EPA Project Team:
Gregg Serenbetz (Serenbetz.gregg@epa.gov, 202-566-1253),
Colleen Mason (mason.colleen@epa.gov, 202-343-9641)
Chris Faulkner (faulkner.chris@epa.gov, 202-566-1185), or
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6.0 REPORTING SITE EVALUATION INFORMATION TO EPA
It is critical that Evaluators and Field Crews report information obtained during the site evaluation
process to EPA in a timely manner throughout the period of site evaluation and field sampling in 2016.
This information is used for the statistical analysis in the final report. The following forms must be
returned to EPA for all POINTS that are evaluated:
NWCA Site Evaluation Spreadsheet: This spreadsheet must be filled out for ALL base POINTS
(Basell_RVT2, Basell, Basel6) on the state list regardless of whether they are ultimately sampled. It
must also be completed for ALL oversample POINTS evaluated as replacements. Please upload
completed spreadsheets to the EPA SharePoint site under the folder NWCA/NWCA 2016/2016 NWCA
Site Evaluation Materials/State and Contractor Submitted Site Evaluation Spreadsheets prior to the
2016 field season. The file name for the upload must include the state abbreviation and the date of
upload. Please adhere to the following file naming format:
NWCA2016_SiteEvaluationSpreadsheet_ST_YYYYMMDD.
Subsequent uploads of the site evaluation spreadsheet should be made in a timely manner throughout
the field season as additional sites are evaluated and dropped. A final spreadsheet, complete for ALL
evaluated sites, beginning with the first site on the state list and ending with the last site that is
sampled, must be uploaded to the EPA SharePoint site two weeks after the completion of field sampling
in the state. To indicate the final spreadsheet file, please use the following file naming format:
NWCA2016_SiteEvaluationSpreadsheet_ST_YYYYMMDD_FINAL.
NWCA POINT Verification Form (PV-1): This form should be completed for ALL POINTS that are
evaluated in the field, regardless of whether they are ultimately sampled. Evaluators should retain all
PV-1 Forms completed for "Recon" visits and keep with the site packet. PV-1 Forms completed during a
sampling visit will be sent to the NARS IM team in batches with other field forms as directed in the Field
Operations Manual.
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7.0 LITERATURE CITED
Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater
Habitats of the United States. FWS/OBS-79/31. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC.
Dahl, T.E. and M.T. Bergeson. 2009. Technical procedures for conducting status and trends of the
Nation's wetlands. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation,
Washington, D.C.
Dahl, T.E. 2011. Status and trends of wetlands in the conterminous United States 2004 to 2009. U.S.
Department of the Interior; Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.
Peck, D.V., J.M. Lazorchak, and D.J. Klemm (editors). Unpublished draft. Environmental Monitoring and
Assessment Program -Surface Waters: Western Pilot Study Field Operations Manual for Wadeable
Streams. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Stevens, D.L., Jr. and A.R. Olsen. 2004. Spatially-balanced sampling of natural resources. Journal of
American Statistical Association 99:262-278.
U.S. EPA. 2011. National Wetland Condition Assessment: Site Evaluation Guidelines. EPA-843-R-10-004.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC.
U.S. EPA. 2016. National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016: Field Operations Manual. EPA-843-R-15-
007. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington D.C.
USGS. 2008. Gulf of Mexico Coastal Wetlands Condition Assessment - Pilot Survey; Quality Assurance
Project Plan. Gulf Breeze, FL.
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Appendix A: Instructions for filling out NWCA 2016 Site Evaluation Spreadsheet
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING NWCA 2016 SITE EVALUATION SPREADSHEET
1. Save spreadsheet using the following format: NWCA2016_SiteEvalSpreadsheet_Vl_Jan2016_ST_MMDDYY
where "ST" is your state abbreviation and "MMDDYY" is the current date.
2. Fill out the required information for each evaluated site in the 'MAIN' worksheet tab. NOTE that when you first
open the tab there will not be any listed sites. You must select your state first to generate the list of NWCA 2016
sites for your state in the spreadsheet. The table below provides a description of each field and the required
information needed to be provided by the evaluator.
IMPORTANT REMINDER:
The order of the sites on the list MUST BE maintained. All base sites (Basell_RVT2, Basell, Basel6) must be
evaluated, and then sampled unless determined to be non-sampleable. Base sites that are determined to be non-
sampleable are replaced by oversample sites (Basel6_Oversample), beginining with the first oversample site on
the list. EPA must receive information for ALL evaluated sites, beginning with the first site on the state list and
ending with the last site that is sampled. Please contact your EPA Regional Coordinator or Gregg Serenbetz
(serenbetz.gregg@epa.gov; 202-566-1253) if you have any questions.
COLUMN/FIELD
IN MAIN TAB
DESCRIPTION
REQUIRED ACTION BY EVALUATOR
Select a State
Drop down list to select sites in a
specific state
Select appropriate state
SITE J D
NWCA 2016 site identification
number
None
SITE_ID(2011)
NWCA 2011 site identification
number if POINT was sampled in
2011
None
Longitude
Longitude in decimal degrees of
POINT from design file
None
Latitude
Latitude in decimal degrees of
POINT from design file
None
Panel
Type of site (e.g., revisit, base, or
oversample) from design file
None
NWCA Frame
Wetland Code
Wetland code from the 2016 sample
frame
None
NWCA Target
Wetland Type
Target wetland type for purposes of
NWCA 2016 analysis and reporting
None
Point
Sampleable?
Drop down list to indicate whether
POINT is sampleable
Select Yes if sampleable, No if not
Sampleable/Non-
sampleable
Category
Drop down list to indicate the
sampleable / non-sampleable
category
If sampleable, indicate either:
Point Sampleable (POINT is in target wetland and sampleable AA can be setup)
Shifted Point Sampleable (POINT can be shifted to location where sampleable
AA can be setup)
If non-sampleable, provide the appropriate non-sampleable category:
No Access (permission denied or permenently inaccessible)
AA Cannot Be Established (due to size, unsampleable area, or HGM
constraints)
Non-Target (not in target wetland population)
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Reason (Non-
sampleable) or
Wetland Type
(Sampleable)
Drop down list to indicate the
reason it is non-sampleable OR the
wetland type if it is sampleable
If non-sampleable, select the appropriate reason for the respective category:
No Access Categories:
Access permission denied by site owner
Permanently inaccessible due to obstacles going to or at site (see Site
Evaluation Guidelines)
AA Cannot Be Established Categories:
Sampleable area too small (see Site Evaluation Guidelines)
Unsampleable area greater than 10% of AA (see Site Evaluation Guidelines)
Sampleable area crosses hydrogeomorphic (HGM) boundary (see Site
Evaluation Guidelines)
Non-Target Categories:
Not a wetland (due to map error, development activity since initial mapping,
etc)
Non-target wetland type (not one of the NWCA target wetland types-see
'NWCA TARGET WET TYPES')
Active crop production during index period (see Site Evaluation Guidelines)
Strictly used for industrial/agricultural/aquacultural purpose (see Site
Evaluation Guidelines)
Inundated by water > 1 m in depth (over 90% of area 60m around pt)
Other (if you feel reason is not covered in other choices, select AND describe in
next field)
If sampleable, provide the predominant wetland type of the AA:
EH - Estuarine Emergent
EW - Estuarine Shrub/Forest
PRL-EM - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Emergent
PRL-SS- Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Shrub/Scrub
PRL-FO - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Forested
PRL-UBAB - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Unconsolidated
Bottom/Aquatic Bed
PRL-f- Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Farmed
Explain Non-
sampleable
Choice
Field to enter information explaining
why POINT is non-sampleable
Provide further information to explain non-sampleable choice. For example, if
the reason POINT is non-sampleable is active crop production during index
period, note any evidence used to determine this (e.g., recent evidence of
tilling, confirmation by farmer, etc).
Name
Field to enter name of person who
conducted evaluation
Enter evaluator's name
Affiliation
Field to enter organization or other
affiliation of person who conducted
evaluation
Enter evaluator's affiliation
Phone number
Field to enter phone number of
person who conducted evaluation
Enter evaluator's phone number
Email address
Field to enter email address of
person who conducted evaluation
Enter evaluator's email
Rationale
Only used in the extremely RARE situation
that EPA allows a POINT to be moved
beyond 60 meters. Rationale for move
provided in this field.
Do not fill out unless needed (in consultation with EPA)
Approved by
Only used in the extremely RARE situation
that EPA allows a POINT to be moved
beyond 60 meters. Name of EPA Official
approving move is entered here.
Do not fill out unless needed (in consultation with EPA)
Approval Date
Only used in the extremely RARE situation
that EPA allows a POINT to be moved
beyond 60 meters. Date of approval by
EPA is entered here.
Do not fill out unless needed (in consultation with EPA)
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Distance from
Original Point
Only used in the extremely RARE situation
that EPA allows a POINT to be moved
beyond 60 meters. Distance in meters
from original design POINT is entered
here.
Do not fill out unless needed (in consultation with EPA)
Longitude
Only used in the extremely RARE situation
that EPA allows a POINT to be moved
beyond 60 meters. Longitude (in decimal
degrees) of moved POINT is entered here.
Do not fill out unless needed (in consultation with EPA)
Latitude
Only used in the extremely RARE situation
that EPA allows a POINT to be moved
beyond 60 meters. Latitude (in decimal
degrees) of moved POINT is entered here.
Do not fill out unless needed (in consultation with EPA)
Additional
Comments
Field to enter any additional
comments about the evaluation of
the POINT
None unless there is additional information evaluator would like to add
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Appendix B: Sampleable/Non-sampleable Categories
Use these categories as a guide to help determine the sampling status of the POINT.
Sampleable Categories
~ EH - Estuarine Emergent
~ EW - Estuarine Shrub / Forest
~ PRL-EM - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Emergent
~ PRL-SS- Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Scrub Shrub
~ PRL-FO - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Forested
~ PRL-UBAB - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Unconsolidated Bottom / Aquatic Bed
~ PRL-f- Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine farmed (not currently in active crop production)
Non-Sampleable - No Access Categories
~ Access permission denied
~ Permanently inaccessible (e.g., permanent physical barriers, dangerous conditions)
Non-Sampleable - Non-Target Categories
~ Not a wetland (due to map error, recent conversion to upland, etc.)
~ Non target wetland type (e.g., estuarine and marine intertidal aquatic beds)
~ Active crop production during index period (e.g., recent evidence of tilling, confirmation of farm
use by landowner)
~ Strictly used for an industrial/agricultural/aquacultural purpose (e.g., strictly used to treat waste,
lined with concrete or other manufactured, non-vegetated barrier)
~ Inundated by water > 1 m in depth (over 90% of 60 m around pt)
~ Other. Must explain in Additional Comments on Evaluation Spreadsheet and Form.
Non-Sampleable - Assessment Area Cannot Be Established Categories
~ Sampleable area too small (sampleable area is less than 0.1 hectare or less than 20 meters in
width)
~ Unsampleable area greater than 10% of AA (more than 10 % of the AA is non-target or unsafe to
sample)
~ Sampleable area crosses a hydrogeomorphic (HGM) boundary (e.g., AA contains more than one
HGM type or includes a tributary to the reach of the river or stream associated with the POINT)
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Appendix C: Point Verification Form
FORMPV-1: NWCA 2016 POINT VERIFICATION FORM (Front) R*v!*w«d by flnttiaU: |||
SITE ID: NWCA16- VISIT: O Recon 01 Oz DATE: / / 2 0 16
EVALUATOR: AFFILIATION:
POINT LOCATION AND ACCESSIBILITY
Directions to POINT:
POINT verified by (fill in all that apply): O GPS
O Other (describe):
O Topo Map
O Aerial
—
&
Note any difficulties accessing site
O Dense Vegetation O Steep/Unstable terrain
O Other (describe):
O Deep Water O Livestock
£
Special Access Requirements: O Locked Gates O Special Permits
O Other (describe):
e>
IS POINT SAMPLEARLt"
O YES O original POINT is sampleable (fill in category below)
O POINT could be shifted <60m (fill in category below
AND enter documentation for shifted point on
Fomn AA-1 at time of sampling).
NWCA Wetlands Target Type INCLUDED in target populate
O EW - Estuarine Shrub/Forest
O EH - Estuarine Emergent
O PRL-EM - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacustrine Emergen*
O PRL-SS - Palustrine. Riverine, and Lacustrine Scrub/Shrub
O PRL-FO - Palustrine, Riverine, and Lacus*\ne Feasted
O PRL-UBAB - Palustrine, Riverine, and L.Wirine Unconsolidated
Bottom/Aquatic Bed
O PRL-f- Palustrine, Riverine, an^ '.ac. 'dine Farmed
(not currently in active crop pr >dur .on)
03/04/2016 PV-1 NWCA 2016 Point Verification Form
O NO fill in category below)
NO.'-SAMPLEABLE - ON THIS VISIT
O i^n-Sampleable (add reasons to comment section on back)
O Temporarily Inaccessible (add reasons to comment section on back)
NON-SAMPLEABLE - NO ACCESS CATEGORIES
O Access permission denied
O Permanently inaccessible (add reasons to comment section on back)
NON-SAMPLEABLE - AA CANT BE ESTABLISHED
O Sampleable area too small
O Unsampleable area greater than 10%, includes water >1m deep
O Sampleable area crosses hydrogeomorphic (HGM) boundary
NON-SAMPLEABLE - NON-TARGET CATEGORIES
O Not a wetland
O Non-target wetland type
O Active crop production during index period (explain)
O Strictly used for an industrial/agricultural/aquacuitural purpose (explain)
O Inundated by water >1m in depth (over 90% of area 60m around pt)
O Other (describe)
Provide any additional information in the comments section on the back of this
form.
7285142852
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FORM PV-1: NWCA2016 POINT VERIFICATION FORM (Back) Reviewed by ||
Site ID: NWCA1S- DATE: / / 2 0 1 6
GENERAL ASSESSMENT COMMENTS
Record any additional information and observations of the POINT or surrounding area Potential information to include: general
observations of biotic integrity, vegetation diversity, presence of wildlife, land uses, potential stressors not otherwise identified,
local anecdotal information, or any other pertinent information about the site or surrounding area. Record any observations that
may be useful for future data interpretation.
fb
\
/%v
—
03/04/20IS PV-1 NWCA 2016 Point Verification Form
1604142851
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Appendix D: Examples of Site Maps Provided by EPA upon Request
National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016
NWCA16-1007 Site Map
Scale =1:1.750
-+-
-+-
-t-
County, State: Houston County, AL
Latitude (dec deg): 31.143002
Longitude (dec deg]: -85.076271
Panel: Basel6
Wetland Type (from design): PFO
NWCA Wetland Group: PRLW
Ownership (from PAD):
Agency (from PAD):
Name (if applicable):
0 40 80 120
LEGEND
~ POINT
Q 40m radius (standard A A layout)
liCrn radius (stancarii buffer area)
i &0m racius (potential Shifted AA zone)
wet and boundary (fo* type selected n des grl
oEPA
150
Meters
U iiited Slates
Environ mantE I Protection
Agency
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National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016
NWCA16-1007 Soil Information
r-A: US SfAQ-j/k* vi Bif/lc
percent s,
^^fAirqp^
^PC. SIT«
ffrnerttal
lc». U nited
Scale =1:1,750 £
County, State: Houston County, AL
CountyFIPSCode: 069
Latitude (dec deg): 31.143002
Longitude (dec deg): -85.076271
Soil SurveyArea Map Unit: AL069, MtA
Map Unit Key (for Form S-l): 607295
LRR: P
MLRA: 133A
LEGEND
~ POINT
( ) 40m radius (standard AA layout)
14Dm -adius (stancard Suffer ares)
l_) &0m radius (potential Shrted AA zone)
wet ard bojndary (for type selected "n des grl
160
Meters
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National Wetland Condition Assessment 2016
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Appendix E: Examples of Landowner Permission Letters and Forms
[Date]
Dear Landowner:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in cooperation with State agencies, is conducting an
ecological assessment of wetlands across the United States. A computer was used to randomly select
sampling locations throughout the United States. A total of 904 wetland sites were selected for sampling
in 2016. We will be conducting a site survey that will last 5-6 hours and will require no permanent
structures. Our sampling area will be small, consisting of a 40-meter radius circle around the computer-
selected point. The primary focus of the survey is to record observations about plant species, soil,
hydrology, and water chemistry to assess the health of wetlands nationally. A minimal amount of water,
soil, and vegetation will be collected from the site. The data collected is to be used for scientific
purposes and copies of the final reports will be provided to landowners upon request.
One or more of the 904 randomly selected sites [is located on your property] / [requires a field
crew to cross your property in order to reach the site]. We are contacting you prior to visiting the site to
obtain your permission (form enclosed) to access the sampling site. We have enclosed a copy of a
map(s) with the site(s) identified by a red circle at the specific point in the wetland to be sampled. We
realize that working on your property is a privilege and we will respect your rights and wishes at all
times.
Please return the completed Landowner Access Permission Form in the enclosed postage-paid
envelope by [date]. If you have any questions concerning this request, please contact me [phone
number]. We are looking forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
[Name]
[Affiliation]
[Contact information]
Site Evaluation Guidelines
March 2016
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United States Department of the Interior
U.S. Geological Survey
Biological Resources Division / National Wetlands Research Center
/ Gulf Breeze Project Office
W'J 1 Sabine Island Drive
Gulf Breeze, Florida 32561
May 1, 2007
Dear Landowner:
The U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with other federal and state agencies is conducting an
ecological assessment of coastal wetlands across the Gulf of Mexico region. A computer was used to
randomly select sampling locations throughout the five Gulf of Mexico states. A total of 100 coastal
wetlands sampling sites were selected for sampling in 2007/2008. We will be conducting a one-time
site survey that will last 3-5 hours and will require no permanent structures. Our sample area will be
small, consisting of a sample point location (latitude/longitude) and a 25-meter radius circle around the
point. The primary focus of the on-site field survey is to record observations such as plant species
diversity, topographic complexity, hydrology source and distance to uplands. A minimal amount of
water, sediment and vegetation will be collected from the sample point, not to exceed the following
amounts: a) water chemistry (less than 1 quart), b) sediment samples (less than 1 gallon) and c)
vegetative clippings (3 plots of 3 square feet from herbaceous marsh sites or 15 live tree leaves from
forested sites). This is part of a research study to evaluate methods that may be used in a national
ecological assessment of coastal wetlands slated for 2011.
One or more of the 100 randomly selected sampling sites is located on your property. We are contacting
you prior to the site visit to obtain permission (form enclosed) to access the sampling site. We have
enclosed a copy of a topographic map(s) with the site(s) identified by an "X" at the specific point in the
wetlands to be sampled. We realize that working on your property is a privilege and we will respect
your landowner rights at all times and no visits will be made without prior contact to establish a specific
field date and logistics. The data collected is to be used for scientific purposes and USGS agrees to
provide the landowner a copy of final reports if requested. For legal clarification, U SGS follows The
Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 USC 2o71, which holds the U.S. Government liable for personal injuries
and property damage caused by the negligent or wrongful act or omission of its employees while they
are performing their official duties.
Please return the completed Landowner Access Permission Form in the enclosed envelope. If you have
any questions concerning this request, please contact me (850-934-9373). We are looking forward to
your reply.
Sincerely,
T om Heitmuller
Field Monitoring Coordinator
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NWCA Landowner Permission Form
The Field Crew from [fill in state agency, Cooperator, or contractor name] has requested permission to
access the wetland site located on my property as part of the EPA's National Wetland Condition
Assessment. Please check one of the choices below:
I grant permission
I grant permission, but with the following restrictions:
I do not grant permission
Landowner Name (please print):
Landowner Signature:
Date:
Phone Number:
Address:
Additional Access Information (please describe any specific details about your property that the Field
Crew should be aware of, such as gates, cattle or livestock on property, planned prescribed burns,
planned harvests, etc.):
If the occupant is different than the landowner, please list the name and phone number of the occupant
below so that we may contact them before the site visit:
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Appendix F: Survey Fact Sheets
Survey of the Nation's Wetlands:
A Fact Sheet for Communities
Introduction
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), states, and tribes are
conducting a nationwide survey of the
condition of the nation's wetlands. This
survey, the National Wetlands Condition
Assessment (NWCA), is one in a aeries of
studies that will help us measure the
health of our waters, take action to
prevent pollution, and evaluate the
effectiveness of protection and
restoration efforts.
Designed to estimate the percentage of
wetlands that are in good, fair, or poor
condition, this survey will serve as a
scientific report card on America's
wetlands. It will examine ecological,
biological and water quality indicators
and assess the extent of key stressors
across the country.
This survey is a collaborative effort
that involves dozens of state
environmental and natural resource
agencies, federal agencies, tribes,
universities and other organizations. In
most states, state water quality staff will
conduct the ecological sampling and
habitat assessments.
How were wetlands selected?
A total of 904 wetland sites are included
in this survey, representing seven wetland
types and distributed across the lower 48
states. EPA selected the wetland sites
from the network of plots in the U.S.
Fish Wildlife Service's most current
National Wetland status and trends
report, and National Wetland Inventory
(NWI) digitized maps to capture areas
where wetlands are present. Sampling
sites were selected randomly using a
statistical survey to represent the
population of wetlands in their ecological
region - the geographic area in which
climate, ecological features, and plant and
animal communities are similar.
J-
¦ t*-5 JG,
wmmMm
distribution of wetlands in the survey
What about my wetland?
If your wetland is being sampled for this
survey, it was selected randomly from the
total population of wetlands in your part
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of the country. Your wetland was not
selected because it exhibits any
particular problem or water quality
condition, or because it was recommended
for sampling by an agency or organization.
Data from your wetland will contribute to
the regional and national picture of
wetland condition. Personal information
will not be collected or disclosed for
purposes of this assessment.
If your wetland is not being sampled for
this survey, it was not omitted for any
particular reason, but rather because it
was not randomly selected or did not fit
into the target population of wetlands
(e.g., wetlands that have rooted
vegetation and water not greater than
one meter in depth).
What will researchers
measure?
Field crews will be taking many
measurements at each selected wetland
site. They will be using consistent
procedures at all sites so that results can
be compared across the country. They
will be measuring such things as:
What happens next?
Field crews will sample wetland sites during
the spring and summer of 2016. EPA
intends to issue a report on the findings in
2018. Between the sampling period and
publication of the national report, samples
collected in the field will be analyzed by
labs and written field observations will be
entered into a database. Field and lab data
will be analyzed and a draft report written.
A draft report describing the results of
the NWCA 2011 survey is available on the
following web page:
httD://www.eDa.aov/national-aauatic-
resource-surveys/ nwca.
For more information on the
NWCA and other National
Aquatic Resource Surveys,
visit:
httD://www.eDa.QOv/national-aQuatic-
resource-survevs
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
1200 Pennsylvania Ave. NW (4502T)
Washington, DC 20460
January 2016
• The presence and abundance of
grassy plants, trees, and shrubs
• Soil properties and chemistry
• Water chemistry (such as nutrients
and chlorophyll-o)
• Hydrology information
• Condition of the habitat in the area
surrounding the wetland
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Appendix G: Contact List
NWCA PROJECT CONTACT LIST
Title
Name
Contact Information
EPA HQ NWCA Project
Manager
Gregg Serenbetz, OW
Serenbetz.Gregg@epa.gov, 202-566-1253
EPA HQ NWCA Project
Manager - Alternate
Chris Faulkner, OW
Faulkner.Chris@epa.gov, 202-566-1185
EPA HQ Logistics
Coordinator
Colleen Mason, OW
Mason.colleen@epa.gov; 202- 343-9641
EPA HQNARS Team Lead
Sarah Lehmann, OW
Lehmann.Sarah@epa.gov, 202-566-1379
Contract Field Logistics
Coordinator
Chris Turner, Great Lakes
Environmental Center, Inc.
cturner@glec.com; 715-829-3737
Information Management
Coordinator
Marlys Cappaert, CSRA
Cappaert.Marlys@epa.gov, 541-754-4667
Regional EPA
Coordinators
Beth Alafat, Region 1
Tom Faber, Region 1
Alafat.beth@epa.gov, 617-918-1399
Faber.Tom@epa.gov, 617-918-8672
Kathleen Drake, Region 2
Darvene Adams, Region 2
Drake.Kathleen@epa.gov, 212-637-3817
Adams.Darvene@epa.gov, 732-321-6700
Carol Petrow, Region 3
Regina Poeske, Region 3
Bill Richardson, Region 3
Petrow.carol@epa.gov, 215-814-2789
Poeske.regina@epa.gov; 215-814-
Richardson. Willia m@epa.gov ,215-814-5675
Elizabeth McGuire Smith, Region 4
David Melgaard, Region 4
Diana Woods, Region 4
McGuire.Elizabeth@epa.gov, 404-562-8721
Melgaard.David@epa.gov, 404-562-9265
Woods.Diana@epa.gov, 404-562-9404
Pete Jackson, Region 5
Sue Elston, Region 5
Mari Nord, Region 5
Jackson.Peter@epa.gov, 312-886-3894
Elston.Sue@epa.gov, 312-886-6115
Nord.Mari@epa.gov, 312-886-3017
Robert Cook, Region 6
Alison Kitto, Region 6
Cook.Robert@epa.gov, 214-665-7141
Kitto.Alison@epa.gov, 214-665-7482
Eliodora Chamberlin, Region 7
Mandy Whitsitt, Region 7
Chamberlin.Eliodora@epa.gov, 913-551-7945
Whitsitt.Mandy@epa.gov; 913-551-7311
Billy Bunch, Region 8
Tom Johnson, Region 8
Liz Rogers, Region 8
Bunch.william@epa.gov, 303-312-6412
Johnson.Tom@epa.gov, 303-312- 6071
Rogers.Liz@epa.gov, 303-312-6974
Paul Jones, Region 9
Terry Flemming, Region 9
Janet Hashimoto, Region 9
Jones.Paul@epa.gov, 415-972-3470
Flemming.Terrence@epa.gov, 415-972-3462
Hashimoto. Janet@epa.gov,415-972-3452
Mary Anne Thiesing, Region 10
Gretchen Hayslip, Region 10
Thiesing.Mary@epa.gov, 206-553-6114
Hayslip.Gretchen@epa.gov, 206-553-1685
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Appendix H: NWCA 2016 Assessment Area Reference Cards
Reference Card AA-2, Side A, Criteria for Sampleable Area
The AA is sampleable if ALL of the following criteria are met:
• The AA contains the POINT (original design or shifted) and ranges in size from O.lha3 to O.Sha.
3 O.lha is the lower limit of detection of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wetland Status and Trends
project (Dahl and Bergeson 2009). It is also the smallest AA that will accommodate the vegetation
plots.
• The AA is at least 20m wideb to accommodate the vegetation plots (see Chapter 5).
b It is allowable for the AA to fall below the width of 20m in some locations, as long as Veg Plots can be
placed adequately.
• Less than 10%c of the area of the AA is unsampleabie due to:
o water greater than lm deepd
o standing water or soft substrate that is unsafe or impossible to sample effectively; and/or
o upland or non-target wetland type (see definition of wetland below).
c The 10% limit is based on the criteria used by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wetland Status and
Trends project (Dahl and Bergeson 2009).
d One meter is the minimum water depth sampled in the National Lakes Assessment and, thus sets the
boundary between open water and fringing wetlands used in the National Aquatic Resource Surveys.
• The sampleable area contains one or more of the NWCA Target Wetland types representing the NWCA
target population. See Reference Card AA 3, Side A for a list of target wetland types.
The NWCA Target Population is defined as: Tidal and nontidal wetlands of the conterminous U.S.,
including certain farmed wetlands not currently in crop production. The wetlands have rooted vegetation
and, when present, open wafer less than 1 meter deep.
An ecologic (not jurisdictional) definition of wetland is used in establishing the AA. I lowever,
experience in wetland delineation for regulatory purposes and the related indicators will be helpful in
determining wetland boundaries.
The definition of wetlands used by the NWCA 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. Wetlands must have one or
more of the following three attributes:
1} at least periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes;
2) the substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil, and
3J the substrate is non-soil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some
time during the growing season of each year (Dahl 2006).
Examples of characteristics that could be used in the field to identify whether the AA is wetland include:
o predominance of hydrophytic vegetation;
o presence of plants with morphological or structural adaptations for growing in wetland soils,
e.g., buttressed tree trunks, multiple trunks, pneumatophores, adventitious roots, hypertrophied
lenticels, polymorphic leaves;
o visual observation of soil saturation and/or inundation;
o presence of undrained hydric soil;
o presence of indicators of wetland hydrology e.g., drift lines, watermarks, sediment deposits; and
o geomorphic boundaries such as the active floodplain or flood-prone width.
• The AA does not cross any Hydrogeomorphic boundaries (see Side B).
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Reference Card AA-2, Side B. Hydrogeomorphic Boundaries and Human Altered Types
Examples of Hydrogeomorphic Boundaries or Mixes of Types to Avoid in Establishing the AA
The AA should not include:
• A mix of tidal and nontidal wetlands;
• A tributary to the river or stream associated with the POINT; or
• A combination of lacustrine fringe or riverine wetlands and the seeps or springs (i.e., slope
wetlands} upslope from them, in other words, the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) types are distinct
(excluding any transition zone).
Alternatively, an AA can include a mosaic of HGM types (see Riverine Complex on Reference Card
AA-3, Side B) or drainage channels typical in tidal and lacustrine fringing wetlands.
Examples of Human Altered Hydrogeomorphic Types
Alteration of the hydrogeomorphic (HGM) class of a site that has been altered or disturbed may change
the class or create a hybrid HGM class. To avoid these problems, the site should be placed in the
"human" class associated with the original HGM type (see Reference Card AA-3, Side B).
Riverine - Human Altered
Open water
Inlet/outlet]
Berm
Riverine - Human Altered
Excavation edge
Island
Slope - Human Altered
Excavated pond f~
ixcavated pond
Berm
Slope wetland
flope wetlarn
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Reference Card AA-3, Side B. Key to Hydrogeomorphic Classes®
1. Wetland would be under influence of tides if not for human actions, e.g., diked.........Tidal - Human Altered1"
1. Wetland is naturally under influence of tides................ .......2
2, Salinity greater than 0.5 parts per thousand (ppt) Tidal Fringe
2. Salinity less than 0.5 parts per thousand (ppt).. Riverine Tidal
1. Wetland is not naturally under influence of tides ...3
3. Wetland is topographically flat and precipitation is a dominant source of water...,..,. 4
4. Wetland has a mineral soil Flats Mineral Soil
4. Wetland has an organic soil Flats Organic Soil
4. Either of the above with hydrology altered by human actions, e.g., ditching...Flats - Human Altered13
3. Wetland is not topographically flat and precipitation is not a dominant source of water, 5
5. Wetland is associated with a nontidal stream channel, fioodplain, or terrace 6
6. Stream is Is or 2nd order Riverine Upper Perennial
6. Stream is 3rd order or higher Riverine Lower Perennial
6. Wetland is part of a mosaic of small streams, fioodplain features (former channels, depressions) and/or
slope wetlands (supported by groundwater). .....Riverine Complex
6. Wadeable stream channel has been impounded by beaver activity Riverine - Beaver Impounded
6, Wadeable stream channel has been excavated and deepened, the active fioodplain has been excavated
and/or isolated from overbank flows from the channel Riverine - Human Altered11
6. Stream is constrained by a graminoid-dominated wetland supported primarily by groundwater 10
5. Wetland is not associated with a nontidal stream channel, fioodplain, or terrace 7
7. Wetland is fringing a lake or reservoir..... 8
8, Wetland inundation controlled by relatively natural bydroperiod Lacustrine Fringe
8. Wetland inundation controlled by dam releases...... Lacustrine Artificially Flooded
7. Wetland is not fringing a lake or reservoir....... 9
9. Wetland is primarily supported by ground water ....10
10. Water source is ground water discharged to the surface on the side of a hill due to a geologic
feature, e.g., a confining layer ......Slope Stratographic
10. Water source is ground water discharged at the toe-of-slope.... Slope Topographic
10. Slope wetland excavated to increase depth/amount of surface water Slope-Human Altered13
9. Wetland is associated with a topographic depression 11
11. Topographic depression without surface water inlets, outlets or other connections 12
12. Wetland Is a naturally occurring feature of the landscape Depression Closed
12. Closed Depression impounded by beaver activities Depression - Closed Beaver Impounded
12. Closed Depression impounded by human activities Depression - Closed Human Impounded
12. Closed Depression excavated by human activities ....Depression - Closed Human Excavated
12. Closed Depression excavated and impounded by human activities... Depression - Closed
Human Excavated and Impounded
11. Topographic depression with surface water inlets, outlets, or other connections 13
13. Wetland is a naturally occurring feature of the landscape .............Depression Open
13. Open Depression impounded by beaver activities Depression - Open Beaver Impounded
13. Open Depression impounded by human activities.. ...Depression - Open Human Impounded
13. Open Depression excavated by human activities Depression-Open Human Excavated
13. Open Depression is excavated and impounded by human activities.... Depression - Open
Human Excavated and Impounded
* Adapted from Smith et al. (1995), Brooks et al. (in press), and personal experience of M.E. Kentula, USEPA.
b For examples of human altered hydrogeomorphic types see Reference Card AA-Z, Side B.
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