Part 512 - Wetland Conservation 

 512.01(a) 



- before the action the land was wetland and was neither 

 highly erodible land nor highly erodible cropland. (See further 

 explanation in Section 512.14(b)(3), (4)) 



(b) Wetland — (except when such term is a part of the term 

 converted wetland) , means land that 



- has a predominance of hydric soils; 



is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater 

 at a frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of 

 hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil 

 conditions; and 



vmder normal circvimstances does support a prevalence of 

 such vegetation, except that this term does not include lands in 

 Alaska identified as having a high potential for agricultural 

 development and a predominance of permafrost soils. Note: Cropping 

 history is not a criterion for wetland determination. 



(c) Manipulation . Alteration of the hydrology or removal of woody 

 vegetation for the purpose or to have the effect of making the 

 production of an agricultural commodity possible. See section 

 512.14(c). 



C512.02 Wetland determinations. 



(a) Documentation . Record wetland determinations on Form SCS- 

 CPA-026, Highly Erodible Land and Wetland Conservation Determination. 



(b) Obvious wetlands . Areas are considered wetland if they are 

 continuously ponded or saturated for long duration during the growing 

 season such that access by foot to make hydric soil or hydrophytic 

 vegetation determinations is impossible. (Exhibit 516.09, Precedent 

 Diagram on Use of Wetlands.) In most cases, wetland determinations 

 can be made in the field without rigorous sampling of soils, 

 hydrology, or vegetation. 



(c) Applicability . All wetland determinations, conditions, and 

 exemptions remain with the land. In addition, a person who converts a 

 wetland after November 28, 1990, remains ineligible for USDA program 

 benefits until that wetland is restored. 



(d) Scope . Make wetland determinations for all cropland, 

 hayland, pasture, and rangeland that has potential for wetland 

 conversions. Determinations may be made for entire farms. If a large 

 part of a farm is in woodland or rangeland with low potential for 

 conversion to cropland, the DC may limit wetland determinations to all 

 cropland, and potential cropland adjacent to or between cropland 

 fields. If wetland determinations are not made on the remainder of 

 the woodland or rangeland area, follow Section 510.48(f) of this 

 manual. 



512-2 



(180-V-NFSAM, Second Ed., Amend. 6, May 1991) 



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