It was once a given that I would be asked how land without standing water could be considered a wetland. Inevitably the client would state,” But my shoes aren’t getting wet…” The days of the wet loafer wetland delineation are long gone.
Water, frequently called hydrology is the second parameter of wetland determination. Water comes to the wetland by any number of sources- streams overland sheet flow groundwater seeps storm flooding broken utility pipes and old farmland irrigation tiles. The water is held in place by various restrictions- clay layers paddock compacted hard-pan pavement ledge and elevated bedrock and construction compaction (soil storage sites).
Standing water does not need to be present all year to qualify as a wetland. Actually it needs to be present little more than 10 days per year and it only needs to be
Hydrology when not directly observed as wet soil or standing water in the sample hole is frequently observed through other signs. These signs may be elevated channelise roots (it looks like the tree is attempting to stand up out of the ground or triangle roots) dark water stains around the base of the trees, dead grasses hanging from plants (it looks like a seaweed lie but in the woods) and look for marks or drainage patterns.
So who defined how much water makes a wetland and how did they agree? Here is where it gets fun. Army Corp of Engineers defines the hydrology at the federal level. This is generally adopted and incorporated into State regulation. In Massachusetts each Municipality (under their own regulations/Bylaw) can incorporate change and create a definition of wetland hydrology. Fortunately most towns are in agreement and utilize the State definition. The Towns that do change the definition generally do so radically. Believe me you won’t look at a pavement puddle the same way again.
Vernal or ephemeral pools are another matter entirely. These pools are supposed to dry up. Most do some don’t. Some hold water in the Spring. Some hold water in the Fall. They don’t have look for except under a few municipal bylaws that specify the pools don’t have PREDATORY fish. These pools have a special displace within the State regs and can greatly affect site design. A State agency determines whether they are certified pools and this dictates State regulatory application. Municipalities frequently include that a pool does not need to be certified to be.
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Related article:
http://blueflags.wordpress.com/2007/11/08/the-shoes-are-dry/
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