If one or more parameters have been significantly altered by an activ- 

 ity that would normally require a permit, PROCEED TO Section F and 

 determine whether there is sufficient evidence that hydrophytic vegeta- 

 tion, hydric soils, and/or wetland hydrology were present prior to this 

 alteration. Then, return to this subsection and characterize param- 

 eters not significantly influenced by human activities. PROCEED TO 

 STEP 3. 



• STEP 3 - Determine the Field Characterization Approach to be Used. 

 Considering the size and complexity of the area, determine the field 

 characterization approach to be used. When the area is equal to or 

 less than 5 acres in size (Section B, STEP 3) and the area is thought 

 to be relatively homogeneous with respect to vegetation, soils, and/or 

 hydrologic regime, PROCEED TO STEP 4. When the area is greater than 



5 acres in size (Section B, STEP 3) or appears to be highly diverse 

 with respect to vegetation, PROCEED TO STEP 18. 



Areas Equal to or Less Than 5 Acres in Size 



• STEP 4 - Identify the Plant Community Type(s). Traverse the area and 

 determine the number and locations of plant community types. Sketch 

 the location of each on the base map (Section B, STEP 2), and give each 

 community type a name. PROCEED TO STEP 5. 



• STEP 5 - Determine Whether Normal Environmental Conditions Are 

 Present. Determine whether normal environmental conditions are present 

 by considering the following: 



a. Is the area presently lacking hydrophytic vegetation or 

 hydrologic indicators due to annual or seasonal fluctuations in 

 precipitation or ground-water levels? 



b. Are hydrophytic vegetation indicators lacking due to seasonal 

 fluctuations in temperature? 



If the answer to either of these questions is thought to be YES, 



PROCEED TO Section G. If the answer to both questions is NO, PROCEED 



TO STEP 6. 



• STEP 6 - Select Representative Observation Points. Select a repre- 

 sentative observation point in each community type. A representative 

 observation point is one in which the apparent characteristics (deter- 

 mine visually) best represent characteristics of the entire community. 



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