sites (e.g. mudflats lacking macrophytic vegetation) are not covered in this 

 manual. 



Relationship to wet- 



land classification systems 



6. The technical guideline for wetlands does not constitute a classifi- 

 cation system. It only provides a basis for determining whether a given area 

 is a wetland for purposes of Section 404, without attempting to classify it by 

 wetland type. 



7. Consideration should be given to the relationship between the tech- 

 nical guideline for wetlands and the classification system developed for the 

 Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) , US Department of the Interior, by Cowardin et 

 al. (1979). The FWS classification system was developed as a basis for 

 identifying, classifying, and mapping wetlands, other special aquatic sites, 

 and deepwater aquatic habitats. Using this classification system, the National 

 Wetland Inventory (NWI) is mapping the wetlands, other special aquatic sites, 

 and deepwater aquatic habitats of the United States, and is also developing 

 both a list of plant species that occur in wetlands and an associated plant 

 database. These products should contribute significantly to application of 

 the technical guideline for wetlands. The technical guideline for wetlands as 

 presented in the manual includes most, but not all, wetlands identified in the 

 FWS system. The difference is due to two principal factors: 



a. The FWS system includes all categories of special aquatic sites 

 ~ identified in the EPA Section 404 b.(l) guidelines. All other 



special aquatic sites are clearly within the purview of Sec- 

 tion 404; thus, special methods for their delineation are 

 unnecessary. 



b. The FWS system requires that a positive indicator of wetlands be 

 present for any one of the three parameters, while the technical 

 guideline for wetlands requires that a positive wetland indi- 

 cator be present for each parameter (vegetation, soils, and 

 hydrology) , except in limited instances identified in the 

 manual. 



Organization 



8. This manual consists of four parts and four appendices. PART I 

 presents the background, purpose and objectives, scope, organization, and use 

 of the manual. 



