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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I ES ENGINEERING-SCIENCE identifies the estimated acres of jurisdictional wetlands that could be lost or inundated by each water storage scenario. The federal regulatory implications of adversely affecting or destroying jurisdictional wetlands are described in the fifth section. Preliminary estimates of costs to prepare an environmental assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS) as well as costs to plan and implement wetland mitigation measures are provided in the last section. OBJECI'lVES There are two primary task report objectives to be satisfied with the wetland information and findings provided herein. First, the information helps determine whether the storage concept is practically and economically feasible. Given that jurisdictional wetlands are of high public interest and that their modification or loss can potentially require extensive regulatory coordination and participation, this resource becomes a key project screening and planning consideration. Second, assuming that wetland resource constraints and considerations are considered manageable, preliminary assessment findings become important in determining which scenarios should be pursued further and what relative benefits and costs are associated with each. It should be noted at this point that the following estimates and findings are based on reconnak~ance-Ievel estimates of jurisdictional wetland occurrence, location, and boundary. This information is considered adequate to conduct . preliminary screening analyses and to support feasibility-level comparison of alternatives. More sophisticated planning decisions will require refinements of the following wetland information. Information regarding effects to riparian areas is aIsoprovided because more intensive technical review of these areas may justify reclassifying some riparian areas as jurisdictional wetlands. - The term "wetland" means those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas. Jurisdictional wetlands are wetlands which possess certain physical characteristics that make them subject to regulatory consideration under Section 404 of the Oean Water Act (CW A). Three criteria are used to identify and delineate jurisdictional wetlands. They include hydric (saturated) soils, hydrophytic . -. (water-loving) vegetation, and hydrology. H one or more of the essential physical characteristics is missing, the wetland is considered to be outside the regulatory authority of the CW A (i.e., it is a non-jurisdictional wetland). The terms "riparian zone" or 'riparian area" define an area that is in or adjacent to a drainageway and its floodplain that is characterized by plant species and/or life forms different from those of the immediately surrounding upland zone. This definition is a broader concept than wetlands and encompasses both jurisdictional and non-jurisdictional wetlands; includes both woody and non-woody plants; and involves either perennial or intermittent streams and shorelines of lakes and ponds. The distinctive stands of trees and shrubs that occur along the banks of both Bear .2- 816-3-3