The 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (COE 87M), the Regional Supplement for the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain Region, and the associated guidance documents are authorized for conducting jurisdictional wetland determinations under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. NRCS is required to use the COE 87M when conducting wetland determinations for the purposes of the Food Security Act (FSA) on non-agricultural lands and agricultural lands with undisturbed native vegetation. The vegetation and hydrology wetland indicators contained within the COE 87M are also used by NRCS for conducting wetland determinations on agricultural land for the purposes of the FSA. When the Corps of Engineers Manual is applicable, the Regional Supplement for the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain should be used for FSA determinations in the coastal plain physiographic province.
Using the point-intercept sampling method, the Prevalence Index can be used to determine whether an area has a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation. An index of less than 3.0 demonstrates a prevalence of hydrophytic vegetation. The Prevalence Index is often used as part of a comprehensive wetland determination. More information can be found in Part IV of the Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual
Waterfowl Management Handbook, 1988-1992
This collection of leaflets, produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides technical information on waterfowl management, including information on specific species of waterfowl. It is the reference for much of the information in the Maryland NRCS Shallow Water Area Management fact sheet.
