Supplement to the USACE Wetland Delineation Manual
Over the past several years the USACE Research and Development Center has been developing regional supplements to the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual.
The supplements DO NOT AFFECT JURISDICTION.
HOWEVER, the supplements DO AFFECT THE IDENTIFICATION AND BOUNDARY OF JURISDICTIONAL AREAS.
Texas will now have 3 separate delineation manuals: The Arid West, Great Plains, and Atlantic/Gulf Coast.
- The supplements call for a much more technical evaluation of soil, hydrology, and vegetative criteria
- The supplements require greater documentation
- The supplements call for the designation of plants we now call fringe indicators and include them as wetland species (i.e. loblolly pine, wax myrtle, and yaupon)
- The more complex delineation format will require more time to conduct, complete, and review
- Use of the protocol in the supplements, as written, will increase the size of jurisdictional areas as much as 30% or more
Bottom line – it is not a question of IF, rather WHEN. The supplements that will affect the Houston metro-plex area scheduled to be implemented by the USACE beginning in March/April and October.
The USACE will then utilize the each supplement for 1 year, determine the usefulness, obtain comments from staff and users, and most importantly, see how many people cry.
Berg-Oliver Associates, Inc. is very concerned about the use of the supplement in the Houston and surrounding areas.
Please understand that it is not our intent to “scare” anyone.
The sky is not falling, but it appears it may have dropped a few feet.
Our intent is to inform you all of the change that is imminent. To inform you that you may make appropriate business decisions to move forward with projects which will require a permit from the USACE, having the wetland delineation submitted and time stamped in an attempt to “grandfather” the results.
Berg-Oliver Associates, Inc. further requests attention of this matter by the GHBA.
Sincerely,
Susan Alford
President
Berg-Oliver Associates, Inc. |
