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Steve Hussey, Natural Resources Planner
SJC Conservation District
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What is a Wetland?
Wetlands are lands where saturation of
water is the dominant factor determining
the nature of the soil, and the types ofanimal and plant communities.
Wetlands are transition lands between
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
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Do Wetlands Matter?
Wetlands provide breeding and rearinghabitat for many species.
They provide flood protection: They act like giant sponges Dampen peak flows
Pollution Control
Trap sediment Pollutants adhere to wetland soils
Provide phytoremediation
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Classification of Wetlands
Based on the Cowardin System 1979
Adopted by National Fish & Wildlife
Service
Used to create the National Wetlands
Inventory
Describes how the wetland was formed
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Cowardin
Classification
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National
WetlandsInventory
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Waldron Sample
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W.W. Revised Rating System
Rapid tool for evaluating wetlands
Evaluates functions & values
Essential for land use planning
Essential for mitigation
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The 4 Categories
Category I are impossible to replace
Estuarine > 1 acre
National Heritage (habitat)
Bogs
Mature & Old Growth Forests
Wetlands in Coastal Lagoons
Wetlands scoring > 70 points
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Category II Wetlands
Difficult to replace
Estuarine < 1 acre
Interdunal
Wetlands 51 to 69 points
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Category III
Moderate level of functions
Often have been disturbed
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Lopez Class III
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Riverine Wetland
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Category IV
Lowest level of functions
Often heavily disturbed
We should be able to replace them
We should be able to improve them
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How I Learned
to stop worrying and rate wetlands.
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Basic Steps
Locate and identify the wetland Break down into units if needed
Get landowners permission Collect data in the office
Soil maps
Topo/assessor maps Visit the site and complete form
Rate wetland
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Special Criteria Categories
Estuarine
Natural Heritage
Bog
Old Growth Forest
Coastal Lagoon Interdunal
no need to go any further = Class I
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Classify the Wetland
Depressional
Riverine
Lake Fringe
Slope
Flats
Freshwater tidal (< 0.5 ppt salinity)
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Use the Right Form Section
Each section breaks down into 3 parts
Water Quality
Hydrologic
Habitat
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Sample Form Section
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Finally (wake up!)
The system categorizes wetlands, itdoes not assess them or value them.
Local jurisdictions need to decide on thevalue of each category.
Buffers need to be defined primarily
from the habitat score. The delineation is crucial when markingthe buffer.
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Why We Protect Them