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ERC Fairmeadows Site <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: Great Plains Region (Version 2.0) (herein referred to as "Supplement") (Environmental <br /> Laboratory 1987, USACE 2010). During the field inspection, dominant vegetation was recorded, representative <br /> hydrologic indicators were noted,and soil samples were examined for hydric indicators. Delineation fieldwork for <br /> the survey area was completed on September 14,2022.The weather during the delineation was sunny and windy <br /> at approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit. At the time of the field evaluation, the conditions observed within the <br /> survey area were typical for the region and sufficient indicators of vegetation, soils and hydrology were observed <br /> 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 U.S. (i.e., such as streams or lakes) are further defined by the ordinary high <br /> water mark (OHWM). The OHWM is characterized as "the line on the shores established by the fluctuations of <br /> water and indicated by physical characteristics such as: a clear natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, <br /> changes in the character of the soil,wetland vegetation,the presence of litter and debris, and other appropriate <br /> means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas" (USACE 2005). <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 /> Each wetland determination point was recorded using a hand-held Trimble GeoXH 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 /> Any aquatic resources delineated within the survey area are depicted on the Aquatic Resource Delineation Maps <br /> are provided as Appendix A. Wetland Determination data sheets are provided in Appendix B. <br /> 4 <br />