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Corps of Engineers, Sacramento District 402 Rood Avenue, Room 142 Grand Junction, .Colorado 81501-2563 April 26, 1996 WETLANDS DELINEATION CONSULTANTS Increasingly, potential applicants for Department of the Army permits are hiring emirorncntal consultants to do wetlands determinations and delineations for than. In addition, because of Federal Ixdgetery and work force constraints, we are requesting that marry potential applicants have wetlands delineations done by consultants. Under existing constraints, the Corps of Engineers will field verify as merry wetlands delineations as possible. Ye recommend that wetlarcis delineations performed by consultants be submitted for review and verification at least one month in advarv:e of a submittal of a Department of the Army permit application. All wetlarda del inactions will be reviewed to insure crnpliance with the methodology contained in the Carps of Engineers wetlands Delineation Msnual dated January 1987 erd that sufficient informstion is provided to justify tAe wetlands/uplandbourdariea e• shown on the delineation mep(e). To obtain a jurisdietionsl determination letter from the Yestern Colorado Regulatory Office, sll conaultenrprepared wetlarda delineations shall contain: 1. A wetlards delineation msp depicting a point to point survey of the wetlands boundary as flagged by the consultant in the field. The consultant should review the survey for accuracy before submittal to this office. Ye prefer topographic maps with coMOUr intervals of one or two feet and at a scale of 1 inch equals 100 feet. Nowever, these spetifiutimn may vary depending upon the scope of the delineation and the nature of the project. In certain altuetfons, a point to point survey of the wetlands boundary mry not be required. However, the borrdsry rout be reproducible in some msmer. The consultant should contact tfifa office for approwl before suttoittirg a delinestion without a point to point survey. In •ll cases, the wetlands borsdery neat be u.rked with aurvay flagging or stakes in the field before thfe office will earduet a site inspection to verify tAe deltnestion. The flags or stakes must be sequentially rsasbered end those rsnihera shell appear en the survey for each point; 2. The type(s) of watlandz presort, such ea ripnrien willow, wet meadow, marsh, etc., should 6e shown an the delinestlon map. Tha respective sizes in acres of each type should be included either on the map or in a report; 3. The laution of all tangle sites should be shown on the delineation map(s); 4. Yetlards delinestlon data foam, or similar data sheets, for each sample site, cross- referenced to the sites should be shown on the delineation map(s). The data for~eeeh sanQle site shall clearly List the irdicatora for the soils, vegetation and hydrology, srd shall include the best- for determining whether the sample site is wetlands or upland. The raniaer of ateQle sites will vary depending upon the size and shape of the wetlands, the degree of difficulty in differentiating watlards and upland, width of transition zones, etc.; 5. A site location map, preferably a 7.5-minute uSGS quadrangle, shall be included and arty other pertinent maps of the site; and 6. A brief written report shell be included with the submittal. This report should list the property owner(s) and/or the developer(s) requesting the delineation. The report shell also describe the nature of the proposed development, and when a permit epplieetion will be sutrnitted for the project. Your report should explain the basis for the wetlands hourdary location end arty problem ar questianeble areas. The dates of the aetusl }laid work should also be included in this narrative. Yetlands delineations that are complete and accurate will be acknowledged in writing by the Corps of Engineers. In the event thst work force constraints preclude timely field verifications, qualified approval ®y be issued by this office. Nowever, prior to definitive regulatory approvals, such as a letter of no Federal jurisdiction, nationwide genersl permit verification, individual permit issuance, ate., wetlerds maps will be field verified by the Corps of Engineers. Ye have attached a wetlands detineetton field dsta sheet for photocopying and field use. This form should be used for wetlands del inactions subject to Corps of Enginrers verification. If you and/or your consultants have questions regarding wetlands delineation procedures, please contact the U. S. Arnry, Corps of Engineers, Secrmrcnto District in Grand Junction, Colorado at telephone ntmber (97D) 243-1199.