2023-08-03_PERMIT FILE - M2023025 (37)

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ERCAquatic Resource Pit Project Site Delineation Report February 17,2023 3.0 METHODOLOGY The aquatic resource delineation was conducted following the methodology enumerated in the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual and the Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Great Plains Region (Version 2.0) (herein referred to as "Supplement") (Environmental Laboratory 1987, USACE 2010). During the field inspection, dominant vegetation was recorded, representative hydrologic indicators were noted, and soil samples were examined for hydric indicators. The USACE and the Environmental Protection Agency(USEPA)jointly define wetlands as: "those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions" [40 CFR 230.3(t)]. Three general environmental parameters define a wetland. These parameters must include the presence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology. Except under certain situations,evidence of a minimum of one positive wetland indicator from each of the above parameters must be identified in order to make a positive wetland determination. In addition,waters of the U.S.are also defined as areas that "include essentially all surface waters such as rivers, streams and their tributaries, all wetlands adjacent to these waters, and all ponds, lakes and reservoirs" The boundaries of some waters of the U.S. (i.e., such as streams or lakes) are further defined by the ordinary high- water mark (OHWM). The OHWM is characterized as "the line on the shores established by the fluctuations of water and indicated by physical characteristics such as: a clear natural line impressed on the bank, shelving, changes in the character of the soil, wetland vegetation, the presence of litter and debris, and other appropriate means that consider the characteristics of the surrounding areas" (USACE 2005).These definitions are the basis of this delineation method. Areas that do not meet any one of the wetland parameters (hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils and/or wetland hydrology) or non-vegetated stream channel/open water (OHWM) were classified as a non- wetland (upland) and mapped as such. Any area determined to be potential waters of the U.S. was delineated in the field with pink flagging identified with `WETLAND BOUNDARY' printed on it and sequentially labeled alpha-numerically (i.e., Al, A2...). Each wetland determination point was recorded using a hand-held Trimble GeoXH global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The resulting GPS data were post processed using GPS Pathfinder Office 5.85 software. Post processing differential correction provided an average horizontal mapping accuracy of+/- 2 feet. Post-processed GPS data were imported into ArcMap Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (Version 10.6) for spatial analysis and mapping. All aquatic resources delineated within the survey area are depicted on the Aquatic Resource Delineation Map(Appendix A).Wetland Determination data sheets are provided in Appendix B.