For context: A transportation department wants to us to analyze the impacts for A LOT of different realignments along a state highway. We have some high-res ortho aerial imagery that was flown earlier this year that covers most of the areas with proposed realignments. Basically, there’s no way we can feasibly cover everything on the ground so we’re looking for options on how to do a very high level, initial assessment through GIS. I’m hoping some veteran delineators can point me in the right direction on an approach to this. We have some previous delineations from nearby areas and I was thinking I could use the previously delineated wetlands as a reference point for what wetlands look like on aerials in that area. From there, create some polygons of suspected wetlands to try to locate anything that might be missing from the NWI layers. Potentially go in the field to dig some holes and verify that some of these are in fact wetlands. At this level, we just need to provide some form of analysis to the client that will tell them which realignments will have the least amount of impact. I don’t want to get super lengthy so please ask questions if you need me to clarify anything and I thank you for any help in advance!

Please help settle a debate in my office. I am a wetland biologist involved with transportation projects. We contract a lot of work out because we have so many projects. Our consultants like to say wetlands are connected hydrologically through a culvert under a road and are the same wetland on either side of a road. What do you think? Half my office says no that this shouldn’t be done and the other half doesn’t care. I really would like everyone’s professional opinion.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/199Vx1E7-HT9VgxtCm2BDee8qujcxT1YV77sA-xjhdHA/edit?usp=sharing

https://preview.redd.it/csonblftd24e1.jpg?width=905&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3822501c90aef56f6aaf9d05fb9d6d9c43243d9a

I was having a discussion with a colleague who stated "Once a soil is hydric, the indicator never goes away, even if the water source goes away and the area is no longer a wetland." I didn't think too much of this until I came across the comment thread on Khan Academy that I have posted below. I understand that this "conveyor belt" process happens over time, but I am curious how long it would take for hydric soil indicators to cycle through an area and no longer be exhibited? Would they ever within our lifetime? I am sure that hydric soil indicators do not exist at the tops of mountain ranges that were under the ocean 100 million years ago, but what about an area that was a wetland ten or maybe fifty years prior?

https://preview.redd.it/unvzep3a2i2e1.png?width=760&format=png&auto=webp&s=488c11aa468094d4b00d23349971f4201c995927

Recently got a new job at an engineering/consulting firm and our environmental department is looking for new GPS equipment for collecting points for wetland boundaries for our delineations. We currently use the survey team’s equipment that is heavy and bulky, and just a little over the top for what we need.

We are looking for something atleast sub-meter accurate, small, lightweight and easy to bring around from site to site. Ofcourse affordable is also a plus.

We use ArcGis to map our boundaries.

What would you guys recommend?

I'm self employed/partner in a 2 person consulting firm and do a small number/handful of delineations per year. Not a ton. And I don't want to do a ton either. :)

Datasheets drive me nuts, but at least the automated dataforms (ADF) take some of the pain away. Right now, I record data on paper (sometimes confirm with ADF in the field for soils), and then enter everything in ADF in the office to kick out a clean, completed dataform for my reports.

Does anyone use a tablet in the field to record directly into the ADF to save time? I can get an 11 inch Galaxy Tab A9 for less than $200. That's a couple billable hours of time, which can possibly pay for itself in one delineation for me and then it's a time saver moving forward.

Anyone do this? Is it worth it? Even if something is waterproof, is the screen a pain to type into (wet touch screens). Any suggested models?

Hey all - I just had a wetlands delineation done on my fathers estate that I just purchased. He sent me a .dwg file (which is just GPS points) and I'm trying to figure it what it all means.

In his signed statement, he stated "The wetlands found onsite do not meet the definition for wetlands of specific significance by the Maine Department of Enviromental Production." <- Also not sure what this means. He's a super nice guy but he's also really busy and I don't want to bother him with a bunch of questions.

I'm not trying to develop this property, but we are trying to lay out some of this land for a Christmas tree farm - It's about 15 acres. I did check the US Wetlands Map Overlay site and it seems like it's super off - not even showing wetlands on the property. Even though I did pay for the deliniation, I still feel super unsure of where they actually are. haha. Any help would be super appreciated!!

I created this test GPT on Permitting Talk for looking up info about Corps Norfolk District: https://www.permittingtalk.com/threads/usace-regulatory-norfolk-district.5557/.

Anyone mind testing it out and providing feedback? I can make similar GPTs for other Districts upon request, just let me know.

The GPT is based on basic Corps regulatory/program info (e.g., from HQ's site and others) + a crawl of the Norfolk District website. Other GPTs would replicate this format.

So, I studied wetland delineation in the midwest, and I found the Wetland Plants of the Upper Midwest to be extremely helpful for me out in the field. I recently scored a consultant position in the south, and I was wondering if there were any recommendations for here. I’m mainly going to be doing work in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Hi everyone,

I'm working on wetland delineation and have a question about the hydrology requirements for wetlands. I understand that, to be classified as a wetland, an area usually needs to have water within 12 inches of the surface during the growing season. But what if an area meets three key wetland indicators (like hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and certain landscape characteristics) but doesn't have water at that depth during the growing season? Could this area still be classified as upland, or would it still count as a wetland in some cases?

Thanks in advance for any insights or resources you might have!

hello! me and my friends recently went on a trip to a mangrove forest reserve to study more about their ecosystem. while trekking we noticed these kind of weird looking leaves. we’re just students doing this for a project, so we couldn’t identify what it was. we decided we’d take a picture first & google it back home but it wasn’t very fruitful. was hoping to get some answers here maybe?

Hello! I’m trying to settle a debate here.

On the AGCP region wetland delineation data sheet, the woody vine stratum includes “all woody vines, regardless of height.” However, due to the growth form of some woody vines (eg. poison ivy or briar sprouts covering the ground; young, low-growing peppervine, etc.), there is an argument that these percentages should be placed in the herbaceous stratum.

Some have argued that these plants sometimes are in a growth stage that is not exactly “woody,” regardless of how the plant itself is classified, and that the height restriction is vague and misleading. Others argue that regardless of height AND growth form, if a plant itself is categorized as a woody vine, it should always go into the woody vine stratum.

What are your thoughts?

If we’ve determined we can use a nationwide permit and we do not need to submit a PCN, what is required for Threatened and Endangered species? The area isn’t critical habitat (it’s an irrigation ditch), and although two species could exist in the area, neither have been observed. Thanks!

As the title says, how should I go about pivoting my career to one more assiociated with working in and around wetlands (compliance and or delineations)? I recently quit my job as a geotech doing infrastructure monitoring and pile testing. I moved to northern virginia after quitting and have been struggling to find a job in every capacity. My background is a bachelors in earth science/geology with experience working with ArcGIS and focused my independent research on a local wetland.

Should I buy my own cert then shop myself around or vice versa? Its tough to find a company willing to take a shot on somebody inexperienced in the exact field but who has good underlying basics. Thanks!

I have nothing to do with this position, but wanted to spread the opportunity to people who may be interested.

Job Title: Wetlands Specialist (Program Specialist I)

Salary $19.86 - $30.00 Hourly

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/utah/jobs/4689113/wetland-ecologist-program-specialist-i

Job Description:
Would you like to have the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues on wetland-related research projects that match your interests and skills?  The Utah Geological Survey is looking for a Wetland Ecologist to assist with wetland mapping, data analysis, reporting, and other wetland assessment projects. They would join the Groundwater and Wetlands Program, a congenial team of scientists conducting multidisciplinary studies. We provide unbiased, rigorous scientific data and interpretations that are used by local, state, and federal officials and the Public to make informed natural resource management decisions. As a team, we have a range of scientific backgrounds and interests, are intellectually curious and enthusiastic, and support professional development and growth. The Wetlands Mapper will work on a variety of wetland projects with a primary focus on wetland mapping.  Duties will include digitizing and classifying wetland polygons, collecting field validation data, writing mapping reports, and presenting results to audiences with varied scientific backgrounds. You will also spend approximately four weeks per year maintaining a network of wetland piezometers in a remote location in western Utah. Work will primarily be conducted in the office with occasional day trips and overnights stays in the field.

Mods: Delete if inappropriate

Hi there. I am learning how to delineate wetlands and need some help understanding hydric soil indicators. I am in the Great Plains.

Does any kind of redox automatically raise flags for hydric soil? If so which indicators should I be looking at?

Example Pit: 0-2” 10 YR 4/3 2-10” 10 YR 4/2 with 3% redox 10 YR 5/6

If I can’t dig past 10-12” can I still determine if the soil is hydric? sorry i hope this makes sense.

was PSYCHED when I first saw this at Michael's... then I saw it 😂

Currently working for USACE Regulatory. Would be very interested in what work outside of the agency is like. Seas have been rough for awhile now and it may be time for a change. Are you working for a large consulting firm, small private company, self employed? Curious to see and hear about what else is out there.