BASING WETUkhfDS DETERNflNATIONS ON 3 PARAMETERS - HYDROLOGY, 

 I VEGETATION, AND SOILS 



1989 MANUAL: 



Evidence of all 3 parameters are required, BUT could assume hydrology from 

 vegetation or soils IF area was disturbed. 



Could assume vegetation from soils and hydrology. 



Could assume soils from certain vegetation. 



PROPOSED REVISED MANUAL: 



Independent indicators of all 3 parameters are required UNLESS the area is a 

 disturbed wetland or the area is a specifically described exception (e.g., playa 

 lake, prairie pothole, vernal pool, pocosin, and other special wetlands that fail 

 the hydrophytic vegetation criterion). Exceptions are widely recognized valuable 

 wetland types that may fail to meet one or more of the 3 criteria. 



Requests public comment on the listed exceptions as well as potential additions 

 to the list, and on recommendations for identifying appropriate indicators for 

 I each wetland type listed as an exception. 



Requests public comment on three alternatives to identifying and delineating 

 seasonally harder to identify wetland types that are NOT exceptions to the 

 criteria, but may not demonstrate indicators of one or more of the 3 criteria 

 during certain (e.g., dry) times of the year. 



