Wetland Classification, Ident.,delineation-2011

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r delineation procedures. Regional differences in climate, geology, soils, hydrology plant and animal communities, and other factors are important to the identification and functioning of wetlands. These differences cannot be considered adequately in a single national manual. The development of this supplement follows National Academy of Sciences recommendations to increase the regional sensitivity of wetland-delineation methods (National Research Council 1995). The intent of this supplement is to bring the Corps Manual up to date with current knowledge and practice in the region and not to change wetland boundaries." "...This Regional Supplement is designed for use with the current version of the Corps Manual (Environmental Laboratory 1987) and all subsequent versions. Where differences in the two documents occur, this Regional Supplement takes precedence over the Corps Manual for applications in the Midwest Region." National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps (Figure 2), Web Soil Survey of Orono and Hennepin County maps (Figure 3), Minnesota Protected Waters maps (Figure 4), and 2010 aerial photographs were reviewed prior to the site visit to identify areas that may be wetlands. Areas illustrating evidence of wetland conditions were examined in greater detail during the field survey. Vegetation, soils and hydrology were examined (as outlined in the 1987 Manual) and used to characterize wetland types and determine wetland boundaries. A sample transect was established in a representative wetland-to-upland transition zone in order to characterize the vegetation, soils, and hydrology of the site. Transect consisted of a representative upland sample point and a representative wetland sample point. Information obtained from the sample points can be found on the field data sheets located in the Technical Documentation Section. Wetland boundaries were marked at the site by pink "Wetland Delineation" pin flags. The wetland boundary is considered to be the topographically highest extent of the wetland basin; areas below the staked boundary met the three required wetland criteria while areas above were lacking in one or more of these criteria. Wetland classification followed methods described by Cowardin et al. (1979) and used in the NWI (e.g. PEMB, PSS1C, etc.), completed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Circular 39 and Eggers and Reed classification systems are also given. The indicator status of plants, as described in the Technical Documentation Section, was determined using the National List of Plant Species That Occur in Wetlands — Region 3 (Sabine 1999). RESULTS Background Information-(Office-Based Investigation) The NWI map (Mound Quadrangle) technically illustrates one PEMC National Wetland Inventory wetland partially present within the property boundary(Figure 2). The Web Soil Survey of Orono and Hennepin County classifies three mapped soil complexes present on the subject property (Figure 3). The Lester-Kilkenny complex was classified as non- hydric, while the Hamel, overwash-Hamel and Houghton and Muskego soils, depressional complexes were classified as hydric. Soil series descriptions are given in the Technical Svoboda Ecological Resources 125 Turnham Road Project No.:2011-015 2 Philip&Joy Asao