assessor leans on experience and precedent in formulating his recommenda- 

 tion for action on the permit after considering probable disturbances and 

 likely modifications. The judgment is based on available scientific 

 evidence and knowledge of public needs, requirements, and desires as set 

 forth in agency policy. Public interest balancing is usually beyond the 

 scope of the assessor's job, but he should be aware that it lies ahead. 



The preliminary recommendation of the reviewer may take one of four 

 forms : 



Acceptable 



Acceptable with conditions 



Unacceptable, with alternative suggested 



Unacceptable, no alternative 



Suggested conditions can take either of two forms: (1) design 

 specifications , in which the assessor recommends a specific engineering 

 solution (for example, a turbidity screen, or diaper, to prevent a 

 fugitive dredge plume); or (2) performance specifications , in which the 

 assessor recommends only the result he wants (for example, no release of 

 dredge materials in open water). 



2.3.6 Formulate Final Recommendation (Step 6) 



In this stage, the assessor is reconsidering his recommendations in 

 view of informal comments from colleagues, citizens, and other agencies, 

 prior to the final FWS recommendation. In this stage a variety of policy 

 matters or precedents may be considered. Because these judgments go 

 beyond technical matters, they are not discussed in this report. 



2.4 VITAL AREA PROTECTION 



Certain components of the coastal ecosystem are recognized as 

 ecologically vital and in need of protection. They are essential 

 to the survival and well-being of certain species, to the functioning 

 of the entire ecosystem, and thus to the maintenance of biological 

 carrying capacity. These components serve one or more of three major 

 functions--productivity, structure, and habitat. Vital productivity 

 areas, such as salt marshes, supply nutrients to the system. Vital 

 structural areas, such as sand dunes, physically bind the ecosystem 

 and maintain its storm resistance capability. Vital habitat areas, 

 such as shellfish beds, provide living space for particular species. 

 Major vital coastal habitats are as follow: 



Freshwater Wetlands Includes all vegetated areas with saturated 



soils, permanently flooded or flooded long 

 enough each year to support communities (two 

 or more species) of water dependent plants. 

 They include marshes, cypress domes, swamps, 



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