Part 512 - Wetland Conservation 



512.15(a) (4) (iii) 



C512.15 Criteria for identifying prior converted croplands (PC) 

 converted prior to December 23, 1985. 



(a) Definition . Prior converted croplands were wetlands that 

 were drained, dredged, filled, leveled, or otherwise manipulated 

 before December 23, 1985, for the purpose, or to have the effect 

 of, making the production of an agricultural commodity possible. 

 This applies if (i) such production was not possible before the 

 action, (ii) an agricultural commodity has been produced (planted) 

 at least once before December 23, 1985, and (iii) the area has not 

 been abandoned. This includes the following: 



(1) Potholes or playas that have been drained to make 

 possible the production of an agricultural commodity and no longer 

 meet the hydrology criteria or hydrophytic vegetation criteria. 

 Potholes and playas that were drained before December 23, 1985, by 

 ditches or tiles are prior converted cropland if the ditch or tile 

 was installed at an elevation or grade below the bottom of the 

 wetland sufficient to remove water so that it no longer meets 

 wetland hydrology criteria. These prior converted croplands are 

 subject to abandonment criteria. 



(2) Areas other than potholes or playas that were 

 manipulated prior to December 23, 1985, to make possible the 

 production of an agricultural commodity, 



(3) Flooded and ponded areas that are less than 

 seasonally flooded that have been drained, diked, or otherwise 

 altered so that they do not flood or pond for extended periods 

 during the growing season. 



(4) Hydric soils that met only the water table 

 (saturation) criteria, if prior to December 23, 1985, they were 

 either drained or otherwise manipulated or had the woody vegetation 

 removed , and : 



(i) have been- used to produce an agricultural 

 commodity, and 



(ii) have not been abandoned, and 



(iii) do not currently flood or pond seasonally. 



512-18 



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



