Wetland ecosystems are important to all communities. They provide valuable services to humans and the environment including water purification, flood and erosion control, and habitat for fish, wildlife, and rare plants. EAS conducts wetland assessments to assist organizations meet the federal policy goal of “No Net Loss,” which aims to prevent destruction of wetland ecosystems and provide data to design restoration plans for the nation’s watersheds.
The EAS approach to wetland assessment includes the following components:
- Identifying and delineating any wetlands present
- Establishing boundaries of identified wetlands
- Determining category of any U.S. Army Corps of Engineers- (Corps-) defined wetlands (The wetland category quantifies the quality and value of the wetland, which influences the level of protection and/or compensation required for that wetland)
- Developing findings and recommendations for the area
- Preparing a report.
EAS staff conduct wetland assessments according to the Corps’ Wetlands Delineation Manual and Regional Supplement to the Wetland Delineation Manual: Arid West Region (Volume 2), the Washington Department of Ecology Wetlands Rating System for Eastern Washington, and local critical areas ordinance regulations. Our staff are formally trained in both federal delineation standards and the state rating system.
Featured Projects
Snake River Wetland Assessment
Defining wetland areas and habitats at 25 Snake River habitat management units