In this article explains in details wetland delineation, procedures of doing wetlands delineation, when is it needed etc.
Wetlands are very significant features in our community that provide valuable services for human beings, fish and wildlife hence a need to be protected.
Table of Contents
What is wetland delineation?
Wetland delineation is a process of establishment of boundaries of a wetland located in or near a project plan, clearly showing its physical size and location for purposes regional, national and federal government regulations.
According to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, an agency responsible for assessing the impacts caused by projects on fish and wildlife, considers three attributes when classifying wetlands. 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 saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year.
According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Clean Water Act, all wetlands share these characteristics:
From an ecological point of view the service emphasizes three key attributes or characteristics
hydrology. The degree of flooding or soil saturation.
All area considered wetlands must have enough water to stress plants and animals not adapted to life in or saturated soils.
What is the purpose of wetland delineation?
When land developers or land owners have projects like road construction, agricultural projects, construction of buildings etc. that may have impacts on the wetlands, wetland delineation is required. The purposes of wetland delineation include:
Wetland delineation enables establishment of boundaries of a wetland located in or near a project plan, clearly showing its physical size and location for purposes regional, national and federal government regulations.
Wetland delineation enables land developers or land owners to obtain permit for impacting a wetland for their project plans. The wetland delineation is approved by USACE or other local agencies that have regulatory authority.
 wetland delineation protects our environment. Wetlands are very important in our environment; wetland delineation protects them from unauthorized impacting or altering which damages the environment.
How long does wetland delineation last after its determination?
According to United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) wetland delineation is valid  for 3 years from the date written on the wetland delineation letter, but a period of 5 years may be acceptable when proper information is provided according to regulatory guidance letter 90-06,57 Fed. Reg. 6591; 1992. In this regulatory guidance letter, it embraces getting new information warrant revision before wetland delineation expiry date.
How much does wetland delineation cost?
Wetland delineation costs $750 to $900 for an area less than 5 acres. The cost of wetland delineation is affected by the following factors;
The number and size of wetlands in the land where wetland delineation is to be curried out. The bigger the land the higher the costs
Wetland delineator. Some wetland delineation companies or persons are expensive than others. But don’t forget better services are delivered usually by expensive companies and persons.
Region or state. Wetland delineation in some states is more expensive than others for example for wetland delineation for an area less than 5 acres in Florida can cost between $850 to $1300 while in other states it can cost $750 to $900
Amount of wetland line. Number of wetlands on the project land
Wetland delineation is done by a certified wetland delineator. In order to become a certified wetland delineator, examination is performed at a local wetland site with a teacher supervising the test. When the class is completed successfully with a grade of 80% and above, he or she becomes a certified wetland delineator. It can be an online or local school, for online school examinations are done virtually.
How do I know I have a wetland on my property?
Wetland are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or varying periods of the year. Wetlands and their boundaries are difficult to identify in some areas, so it requires to hire a skilled person called a wetland delineator to survey the area and make delineation report.
When is wetland delineation required?
 Wetland delineation is required for project plans that may change or block a wetland, pond or stream. People with such projects may be land developers, land owners (landlords) or even organizations and companies. When wetland assessment and wetland delineation completed, permits or project delays can be reduced or avoided.
How long will wetland delineation take to finish?
The time it takes to a accomplish wetland delineation depends on the size of the site being worked on, kind of the wetland (poorly drained wetlands are difficult to correct data and time consuming while for fairly drained wetlands it is easier to collect data and is less time consuming).
On average considering the difference in the above-mentioned factors, wetland delineation can take 1-3 days to review and attain study materials, 1-3 days to collect essential site data. The time listed in days above may be longer or shorter depending on the size and complexity of the project being tackled. The wetland delineation report is usually completed within 2-4 weeks after notification to proceed. After the wetland delineation report is complete, the department of natural resources will review it and now what is left is field inspection for confirmation what was written in the report. This field inspection takes place during the growing season.
Methods and procedures used in identifying wetland boundaries during wetland delineation.