Section C. Selection of Method 



56. All wetland delineation methods described in this manual can be 

 grouped into two general types: routine and comprehensive. Routine deter- 

 minations (Section D) involve simple, rapidly applied methods that result in 

 sufficient qualitative data for making a determination. Comprehensive methods 

 (Section E) usually require significant time and effort to obtain the needed 

 quantitative data. The primary factor influencing method selection will 

 usually be the complexity of the required determination. However, comprehen- 

 sive methods may sometimes be selected for use in relatively simple determina- 

 tions when rigorous documentation is required. 



57. Three levels of routine wetland determinations are described below. 

 Complexity of the project area and the quality and quantity of available 

 information will influence the level selected for use. 



a. Level 1 - Onsite Inspection Unnecessary. This level may be 

 employed when the information already obtained (Section B) is 

 sufficient for making a determination for the entire project 

 area (see Section D, Subsection 1). 



b. Level 2 - Onsite Inspection Necessary. This level must be 

 employed when there is insufficient information already avail- 

 able to characterize the vegetation, soils, and hydrology 



of the entire project area (see Section D, Subsection 2). 



c. Level 3 - Combination of Levels 1 and 2. This level should be 

 used when there is sufficient information already available to 

 characterize the vegetation, soils, and hydrology of a portion, 

 but not all, of the project area. Methods described for 

 Level 1 may be applied to portions of the area for which ade- 

 quate information already exists, and onsite methods (Level 2) 

 must be applied to the remainder of the area (see Section D, 

 Subsection 3) . 



58. After considering all available information, select a tentative 

 method (see above) for use, and PROCEED TO EITHER Section D or E, as appropri- 

 ate. NOTE: Sometimes it may be necessary to change to another method de- 

 scribed in the manual, depending on the quality of available information 



and/ or recent changes in the project area. 



52 



