Subpart B - Wetland Criteria 



512.15(a) (5) 



(5) Areas of hydric soils that were manipulated prior 

 to December 23, 1985, to the extent that they did not and do not 

 currently meet hydrology criteria, but were never cropped, are 

 considered non-wetland (NW) . The abandonment provision applies to 

 such lands, even if they have not been cropped, emd they are 

 considered wetland if wetland criteria are met after the 

 appropriate period of abandonment. However, areas that meet the 

 wetland criteria and where crop history cannot be documented are 

 considered wetlands (W) and not prior converted cropland (PC) . 

 These areas can be farmed ;inder natural conditions if it is not 

 necessary to manipulate or remove additional woody vegetation 

 (including stiimps or brush) after December 23, 1985. 



(6) Pocosins and other similar areas are prior converted 

 cropland only if prior to December 23, 1985: 



(i) the woody vegetation was removed, 



(ii) a drainage system was installed that altered 

 the hydrology to the extent the wetland criteria is no longer met, 



(iii) an agricultural commodity has been produced, 

 and ' 



(iv) they have not been abandoned. 



(b) Areas not considered to be prior converted croplands. 



(1) Potholes and playas that were manipulated prior to 

 December 23, 1985, but otherwise continue to meet wetland criteria 

 shall not be determined to be prior converted croplands. Where 

 potholes and playas were drained prior to December 23, 1985, to 

 make possible the production of an agricultural commodity by 

 ditches or tiles, they will be determined to be prior converted 

 cropland if the ditch or tile was installed at an elevation or 

 grade below the bottom of the wetland and has removed the wetland 

 hydrology. These prior converted croplands are sxibject to 

 abandonment criteria. 



(2) Other wetland areas that are seasonally flooded or 

 ponded and were manipulated before December 23, 1985, to make 

 agricultural production possible, but otherwise continue to meet 

 wetland criteria, are not prior converted croplands. (With 

 maintenance considered and documented as outlined in 512.35(c)(6)). 



512-19 

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



