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,*,,ERC Peak Ranch Resource <br /> Aquatic Resource Delineation Report <br /> 3.0 METHODOLOGY <br /> The aquatic resource delineation was conducted following the methodology enumerated in the 1987 <br /> Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers <br /> Wetland Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region(Version 2.0)(herein referred <br /> to as"Supplement")(Environmental Laboratory 1987,USACE 2010). Duringthe field inspection,dominant <br /> vegetation was recorded, representative hydrologic indicators were noted and soil samples were <br /> examined for hydric indicators. Delineation field work for the survey area was completed on August 28- <br /> 29,2018. The weather during the delineation was sunny and dry at approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit. <br /> At the time of the field evaluation, the conditions observed within the survey area were typical for the <br /> region and sufficient indicators of vegetation, soils and hydrology were observed to make a wetland <br /> determination. <br /> The USACE and the Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA)jointly define wetlands as: "those areas that <br /> are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, <br /> and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in <br /> saturated soil conditions" [40 CFR 230.3(t)]. Three general environmental parameters define a wetland. <br /> These parameters must include the presence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland <br /> hydrology. Except under certain situations,evidence of a minimum of one positive wetland indicator from <br /> each of the above parameters must be identified in order to make a positive wetland determination. <br /> In addition,waters of the U.S. are also defined as areas that "include essentially all surface waters such as <br /> rivers, streams and their tributaries, all wetlands adjacent to these waters, and all ponds, lakes and <br /> reservoirs" The boundaries of some waters of the U.S. (i.e., such as streams or lakes) are further defined <br /> by the ordinary high water mark (OHWM). The OHWM is characterized as "the line on the shores <br /> established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as: a clear natural <br /> line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of the soil, wetland vegetation, the <br /> presence of litter and debris, and other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the <br /> surrounding areas" (USACE 2005).These definitions are the basis of this delineation method. <br /> Areas that do not meet any one of the wetland parameters (hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils and/or <br /> wetland hydrology) or non-vegetated stream channel (OHWM) were classified as a non-wetland (upland) <br /> and mapped as such. <br /> Each wetland determination point was recorded using a hand-held Trimble GeoXH global positioning <br /> system (GPS) receiver. The resulting GPS data were post processed using GPS Pathfinder Office 5.85 <br /> software. Post processing differential correction provided an average horizontal mapping accuracy of+/- <br /> 2 feet. Post-processed GPS data were imported into ArcMap Geographic Information Systems (GIS) <br /> (Version 10.5) for spatial analysis and mapping. All aquatic resources delineated within the survey area <br /> are depicted on the Aquatic Resource Delineation Map (Appendix A).Wetland Determination data sheets <br /> are provided in Appendix B. <br /> 1/20/21 4 <br />