Laserfiche WebLink
ERC Young 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 Corps of <br /> Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland <br /> Delineation Manual: Western Mountains, Valleys, and Coast Region (Version 2.0) (herein referred to as <br /> "Supplement") (Environmental Laboratory 1987, USACE 2010). During the field inspection, dominant vegetation <br /> was recorded, representative hydrologic indicators were noted and soil samples were examined for hydric <br /> indicators. Delineation field work for the survey area was completed on November 15 and 16,2021 and December <br /> 9, 2021. At the time of the delineation,the conditions observed within the survey area were typical for the region <br /> and sufficient indicators of vegetation,soils and hydrology were observed to make a wetland determination. <br /> The USACE and the Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) jointly define wetlands as: "those areas that are <br /> inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under <br /> normal circumstances do support,a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions" <br /> [40 CFR 230.3(t)].Three general environmental parameters define a wetland. These parameters must include the <br /> presence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils,and wetland hydrology. Except under certain situations,evidence <br /> of a minimum of one positive wetland indicator from each of the above parameters must be identified in order to <br /> 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 rivers, <br /> streams and their tributaries, all wetlands adjacent to these waters, and all ponds, lakes and reservoirs" The <br /> boundaries of some waters of the US(i.e.,such as streams or lakes)are further defined by the ordinary high water <br /> mark(OHWM).The OHWM is characterized as"the line on the shores established by the fluctuations of water and <br /> indicated by physical characteristics such as: a clear natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the <br /> character of the soil, wetland vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, and other appropriate means that <br /> consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas" (USACE 2005). These definitions are the basis of this <br /> delineation method. <br /> Areas that do not meet any one of the wetland parameters (hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils and/or wetland <br /> hydrology)or non-vegetated stream channel/open water(OHWM)were classified as a non-wetland (upland)and <br /> mapped as such. <br /> Any area determined to be potential waters of the U.S. was delineated in the field with pink pin flags and ribbon <br /> identified with "WETLAND BOUNDARY" printed on it and sequentially labeled alpha-numerically(i.e.Al,A2...). <br /> Each wetland determination point was recorded using a hand-held Trimble Geo7X global positioning system(GPS) <br /> receiver.The resulting GPS data were post processed using GPS Pathfinder Office 5.85 software. Post processing <br /> differential correction provided an average horizontal mapping accuracy of+/- 2 feet. Post-processed GPS data <br /> were imported into ArcMap Geographic Information Systems(GIS)(Version 10.6)for spatial analysis and mapping. <br /> All aquatic resources delineated within the survey area are depicted on the Aquatic Resource Delineation Map and <br /> are provided as Appendix A.Wetland Determination data sheets are provided in Appendix B. <br /> December 13,2021 4 <br />