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Welcome to the NRCS
Wetland Science web site.
Updated
12/05/2008
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The 1985 Food Security Act (FSA) grants the Secretary of Agriculture
responsibility and authority to provide exemptions to the wetland
conservation provisions. In carrying out these responsibilities,
the published rules mandate that wetland functions be considered. The
CFR requires the use of a functional assessment for decision-making.
Functional assessments are also required by the NRCS Wetland Protection
Policy. The State Conservationist will establish an appropriate
assessment procedure to evaluate wetland functions and impacts,
determine the type and extent of compensatory mitigation required, and
evaluate the success of the compensatory mitigation.” Under the broad
umbrella of “assessments,” there are two distinct categories: wetland
assessments commonly referred to as “rapid assessments,” and wetland
functional assessments. Understanding the distinction and purpose of
each is important to the wetland ecologist. This technical note will
provide information to assist State Conservationists in meeting their
responsibilities in a technically defensible manner and will provide
others with an understanding of various assessment methods for measures
of wetland condition or wetland function. |
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The scope of
this technical note covers those stream systems where the wetland
hydrology has been altered by the incision of the stream channel,
general cases where this has occurred, and strategies for wetland
restoration or enhancement by restoring the connectivity of the stream
to its flood plain. It does not include those riverine wetland systems
where connectivity cannot be restored due to cost, land rights, or other
considerations. The approaches included provide for minimum maintenance
on projects where there are no specific functions to manage for and
dynamic shifts in conditions can be tolerated that
discusses the processes and patterns of invasive plant species and how
they interfere with wetland restoration success. Also included are fact
sheets and control information on 13 invasive species that have the
greatest impact to restoration work. (PDF, 1MB)
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The planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of wetland
restoration, enhancement, or creation project requires a
multidisciplinary approach involving the disciplines of engineering,
biology, geology, and soil science, among others. The scope of this
chapter has been expanded beyond the traditional National Engineering
Handbook (NEH), Engineering Field Handbook (EFH) focus to reflect this
approach. Included in the scope is the science of wetlands and tools to
assess wetland function. Wetlands, for the purpose of this chapter, are
defined as areas that have anaerobic soil conditions due to the presence
of water, at or near the surface for a sufficient duration to support
wetland vegetation. This chapter is intended to provide field personnel
with guidance in restoring, enhancing, or creating wetlands. The
material included is intended to be used with the policy contained in
the Electronic Field Office Technical Guide (eFOTG). (PDF, 150 pages,
3MB)
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This technical note provides a brief review of Brinson’s original
concepts and provides additional structure to the HGM wetland
classification system. (PDF, 121KB) |
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