Wetland Mitigation, Volume 2, A Guidebook for Airports (2019)

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33 3.1 Introduction—What Is a Wetland? Many regional systems have been developed for classifying waterbodies and vegetated wet- lands. In 1979, the USFWS published the Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States (Cowardin et al. 1979). This system was proposed to offer some consistency in wetland and deepwater habitat terms and definitions. It was developed to replace the various regional classification systems and was intended to be utilized nationwide. In 2013, this classification system was adapted and updated by the Wetlands Subcommittee of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). As this guidebook is intended to be appropriate for use by airports nationwide, the Cowardin System and the Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States was utilized as the basis for a summary of wetland and water types that occur throughout the country (FGDC 2013). In general terms, wetlands are lands where the water table is usually at or near the surface, or the land is covered by shallow water (Cowardin et al. 1979). Wetlands predominantly support plants that are physiologically adapted to living in water or in substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a result of excessive water content (Lichvar and Kartesz 2009). Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season (see Figure 3-1). Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promote the development of charac- teristic wetland (hydric) soils. Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation, and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica (USEPA 2017f). It is important to note that standing water does not need to be present for a habitat to be defined as a wetland. Waterbodies such as lakes, rivers, bays, and oceans are defined as deepwater habitats. They differ from wetlands in that surface water is permanent and often deep (FGDC 2013). In the Cowardin System, water depth is more important than vegetation presence when distinguishing between wetlands and deepwater habitats. The goal of this chapter is to facilitate the basic identification and classification of wetland and deepwater habitats. This chapter does not endeavor to establish the definition of wetlands and surface water habitats for regulatory purposes. Federal, state, and local definitions of juris- dictional wetlands and surface waters may be variable. For an overview of the agencies that may have jurisdiction over wetlands or deepwater habitats, see Chapter 2 of this guidebook. C H A P T E R 3 Wetland Identification and Impacts

34 Wetland Mitigation, Volume 2: A Guidebook for Airports 3.2 Wetland Impacts The goal of a wetland delineation is to identify the presence and extent of wetlands and waters of the U.S. Identifying and quantifying the extent of jurisdictional wetlands and waters is the necessary first step in project planning, a goal of which is to avoid, minimize, and quantify the potential effects associated with a proposed project. Project-related effects can include a direct impact, such as eliminating a wetland to accommodate the construction of a new hangar or runway extension, or an indirect impact, such as discharging into an existing wetland as part of a stormwater management plan. Once wetland impacts are identified, the next step is to define and quantify the general functions and values of the affected wetlands so that the lost functions and values can be replaced through comparable wetland mitigation. Mitigation is further dis- cussed in Chapter 4. Wetland functions are thought of as physical, chemical, or biological processes that are vital to the integrity of the entire wetland system. Values are wetland attributes that are perceived as being valuable to society, regardless of their importance to the overall system (Adamus et al. 1991). Wetland functions are generally defined as: • Ground water recharge—movement of surface water into ground water, for example, wetland to aquifer; • Ground water discharge—movement of ground water into surface water, for example, rainfall into wetland; • Flood flow alteration—ground water recharge that may help to desynchronize flood peaks; • Sediment stabilization—for example, warm wetlands may keep shorelines free of erosive ice in winter or aquatic vegetation in a wetland may help anchor shorelines; • Sediment/toxicant retention—ground water discharge discourages the settling of fine sediments (locally) and recharge reduces the turbidity, which is the cloudiness of the water, of down current areas; • Nutrient removal/transformation—ground water discharge can either improve or degrade water quality; • Production export—ground water discharge can potentially increase net annual primary productivity and the sustained export of nutrients. This happens, for example, by extending the growing season in ice-covered waters and increasing the availability of soil moisture and dependability of flows downstream; and Figure 3-1. Wetland characteristics. Source: Environmental Resource Solutions.

Wetland Identification and Impacts 35 • Aquatic and wildlife diversity/abundance—wetlands are important for maintaining low flows essential to fisheries and maintaining vegetation and drinking water for wildlife. Wildlife examples include salmon spawning, keeping water free from ice for waterfowl in winter, providing waterfowl breeding habitat, and harboring a disproportionate amount of rare plants. Wetland values are generally defined as: • Recreation—wetlands can help maintain flows to areas essential for water sports and/or pro- vide natural resource-based recreation, such as hiking, birding, etc. • Uniqueness/heritage—some wetlands are considered rare or distinct to a region; some even define a region, for example, the Florida Everglades, and are essential for tourism (Adamus et al. 1991). The purpose of mitigating impacted wetlands is to replace the functions and values of that wetland as defined within the parameters above. Not all wetlands provide all functions and values, but the replacement mitigation must generally replace “in-kind” the functions lost by impacting the wetland. The most common or important functions that a wetland provides for an airport would be ground water recharge/discharge, flood flow alteration, and nutrient removal/ transformation. Wetlands can help to move rain water off movement areas, ensure the airfield does not flood, and naturally improve the quality of stormwater runoff after coming in contact with, for example, jet fuel, deicing fluid, aircraft washing systems, etc. Although these are impor- tant services provided by wetlands, wetlands can also be significant hazardous wildlife attractants and/or create unstable ground conditions within runway safety areas/protection zones. The risk of having wetlands on an airfield may outweigh the benefits, which often leads to mitigating wetlands off-airport. Various mitigation techniques are discussed further in Chapter 4. 3.3 Wetland Types—Cowardin Classification System The Cowardin system is used to classify habitats by system, subsystem, class, and subclass. Systems are defined as habitats that have similar hydrologic, geomorphologic, chemical, or biological factors. Systems include Marine, Estuarine (generally brackish coastal tidal areas), Riverine (tidal or non-tidal channels), Lacustrine (freshwater lakes), and Palustrine (fresh- water swamps and marshes). In general, all systems have subsystems except for Lacustrine. Classes describe the appearance of the habitat from a vegetative or substrate standpoint without the need for detailed scientific measurements. Class features are easily recognized. Subclasses further describe vegetative life forms or substrate characteristics. The Cowardin system goes even further in the habitat classification by using dominance type, which is a specific taxonomic category; however, for purposes of this Guidebook, the discussion is limited to system, subsystem, class, and subclass. Exhibit 1 in Appendix D depicts the Cowardin wetlands and deepwater habitats classification chart. 3.3.1 Cowardin Classification Examples Most of the remaining sections of this chapter detail examples of the different types of habitat and systems encountered in wetland types. The two examples below illustrate how a Cowardin classification is derived. A freshwater forested swamp dominated by deciduous broad-leaved trees classified as follows: • System: Palustrine (P); • Class: Forested (F); and • Subclass: Broad-leaved Deciduous (01) = PFO1.

36 Wetland Mitigation, Volume 2: A Guidebook for Airports A portion of open ocean with bedrock substrate that is always submerged would be classified as follows: • System: Marine (M); • Subsystem: Subtidal (1); • Class: Rock Bottom (RB); and • Subclass: Bedrock (1) = M1RB1. 3.4 Marine System The Marine System is generally defined as the open ocean overlying the continental shelf and its associated coastline. Habitats in the Marine System, with examples shown in Table 3-1, can be either wetlands or deepwater habitats. Marine Systems are subject to tidal changes and have salinity readings exceeding 30 percent. Areas above the elevation of the extreme low water level of the spring tide are considered wetlands (intertidal subsystem), and areas below that elevation are considered deepwater habitats (subtidal subsystem). Marine habitats may be vegetated or unvegetated. The majority of the Marine System fits the deepwater habitats classification, and most have no vegetation. 3.5 Estuarine System Estuarine systems, with examples shown in Table 3-2, consist of deepwater tidal areas and adjacent tidal wetlands that are semi-enclosed by land but have access to the open ocean. Estuarine habitats are tidal, and salinity is variable due to inputs from inland freshwater sources and oceanic tides (FGDC 2013). Common names for estuarine habitats include bay, back bay, estuary, saltmarsh, lagoon, and sound. Habitats in the Estuarine System can be either wetlands (intertidal subsystem) or deepwater habitats (subtidal subsystem). Estuarine habitats are partly saline (brackish) and are subject to tidal changes. Areas above the elevation of the extreme low water level of the spring tide are considered wetlands, and areas below that elevation are considered deepwater habitats. Estuarine habitats may be vegetated or unvegetated. Description Wetland Habitat ExamplesSystem Subsystem Class Subclass Classification Marine seagrass bed exposed at low tide Marine Intertidal Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular M2AB3 Marine worm reef exposed at low tide Marine Intertidal Reef Worm M2RF3 Permanently submerged marine seagrass bed Marine Subtidal Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular M1AB3 Open ocean with kelp bed Marine Subtidal Aquatic Bed Algal M1AB1 Permanently submerged coral reef Marine Subtidal Reef Coral M1RF1 Open ocean with unvegetated sand substrate Marine Subtidal Unconsolidated Bottom Sand M1UB2 Source: Compiled by research team from Cowardin et al. 1979. Table 3-1. Marine habitat examples.

Wetland Identification and Impacts 37 3.6 Riverine System Riverine wetlands, examples shown in Table 3-3, and deepwater habitats are generally contained within a channel. They are freshwater habitats (salinity less than 0.5 percent) with minimal emergent vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, emergent mosses, or lichens. If consid- erable emergent wetland vegetation is present and/or if there is no discernable channel, the habitat will be classified as Palustrine. Examples of Riverine wetlands and deepwater habitats include rivers, creeks, arroyos, spring runs, ditches, and canals. Habitats with water typically less than 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) deep are classified as wetlands, and those with deeper water are classified as deepwater habitats. 3.7 Lacustrine System Lacustrine wetlands, with examples shown in Table 3-4, and deepwater habitats are fresh- water systems that have less than 30 percent areal coverage by emergent vegetation, are more than 20 acres in size, and are situated in a depression or impounded channel. In the Lacustrine System, the boundary between wetlands and deepwater habitats is defined as a depth of 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) below low water elevation. Deepwater habitats fall into the Limnetic Subsystem, and wetlands fall into the Littoral Subsystem. Wetlands domi- nated by aquatic mosses (those generally called bogs, mires, or muskegs) are classified in the Lacustrine System if they are situated in a depression of more than 20 acres in size, and they have less than 30 percent coverage by emergent vegetation. These systems may be tidal Habitat Description System Subsystem Class Subclass Classification Intertidal saltmarsh dominated by salt-tolerant grasses/sedges Estuarine Intertidal Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular E2AB3 Intertidal area in brackish embayment dominated by short mangroves Estuarine Intertidal Scrub-shrub Broad- leaved Evergreen E2SS3 Oyster bed in brackish embayment that is exposed at low tide Estuarine Intertidal Reef Mollusk E2RF2 Mudflat in brackish embayment that is exposed at low tide Estuarine Intertidal Unconsolidated Shore Mud E2US3 Permanently submerged brackish embayment with no vegetation and mud substrate Estuarine Subtidal Unconsolidated Bottom Mud E1UB3 Permanently submerged oyster beds in brackish embayment Estuarine Subtidal Reef Mollusk E1RF2 Source: Compiled by research team from Cowardin et al. 1979. Table 3-2. Estuarine wetland habitat examples.

38 Wetland Mitigation, Volume 2: A Guidebook for Airports Habitat Description System Subsystem Class Subclass Classification Shallow freshwater river with mud substrate that is affected by the tide Riverine Tidal Unconsolidated Bottom Mud R1UB3 Shallow, slow- moving perennial canal with submerged vegetation Riverine Lower Perennial Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular R2AB3 Intermittent shallow mountain stream with rubble substrate Riverine Intermittent Streambed Rubble R4SB2 Deep freshwater river with mud substrate that is affected by the tide Riverine Tidal Unconsolidated Bottom Mud R1UB3 Deep freshwater creek with low gradient (gentle slope) and sand bottom Riverine Lower Perennial Unconsolidated Bottom Sand R2UB2 Deep freshwater river with high gradient (steep slope) with gravel bottom Riverine Upper Perennial Streambed Cobble- Gravel R3SB3 Source: Compiled by research team from Cowardin et al. 1979. Table 3-3. Riverine wetland habitat examples. Habitat Description System Subsystem Class Subclass Classification Shallow lake edge with emergent herbaceous vegetation Lacustrine Littoral Aquatic Bed Rooted Vascular L2AB3 Shallow lake with sand bottom and no vegetation Lacustrine Littoral Unconsolidated Bottom Sand L2UB2 Peat bog around the shallow margin of a lake Lacustrine Littoral Aquatic Bed Aquatic Moss L2AB2 Deep lake with mud bottom and no vegetation Lacustrine Limnetic Unconsolidated Bottom Mud L1UB3 Deep lake with floating vegetation Lacustrine Limnetic Aquatic Bed Floating Vascular L1AB4 Source: Compiled by research team from Cowardin et al. 1979. Table 3-4. Lacustrine wetland habitat examples.

Wetland Identification and Impacts 39 or nontidal, but salinity is less than 0.5 percent. Ponds may be included in the Lacustrine System if they meet the requirements of this system. 3.8 Palustrine System By definition, all habitats in the Palustrine System are wetlands rather than deepwater habitats, and all are freshwater (salinity less than 0.5 percent) habitats. They may be tidal or non-tidal. Common names for Palustrine wetlands include swamp, slough, bayhead, cypress dome, canebrake, prairie pothole, flag pond, shallow pond, vernal pool, wet savan- nah, and marsh. Wetlands dominated by aquatic mosses (those generally known as bog, mire, or muskeg) are classified in the Palustrine System if they are less than 20 acres in size or if covered more than 30 percent by emergent vegetation. Ponds are frequently included in this system rather than the Lacustrine System because they are often less than 20 acres in size. This system includes a wide variety of habitat types. The wetland hydroperiod in this system is significantly variable. Some wetlands are semi- permanently flooded and some are only seasonally saturated. Surface water may be infrequent, ephemeral, or shallow, and may only be present intermittently. Wetland conditions may be due to a high water table, a feature that is not evident without studying subsurface conditions. Vegetation is usually present in Palustrine System habitats and is often very diverse. A greater variety of plants can grow in Palustrine habitats than in wetland habitats within most other sys- tems. The varied hydroperiod allows plants ranging from obligate wetlands species (plants that occur only within wetlands) to facultative species (plants that occur equally in both uplands and wetlands) to thrive. Hydric soils, which are soils that possess characteristics indicative of high water table, satura- tion, or inundation conditions are a necessary component in identifying and delineating wetland habitat types in all systems, but are most important in the Palustrine System, where other com- ponents such as hydrology and vegetation may be more difficult to evaluate. 3.8.1 Palustrine Wetland Habitats 3.8.1.1 Ponds and Pools Small, shallow bodies of water [less than 20 acres in size and less than 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) deep] are classified as wetlands in the Palustrine System rather than in the Lacustrine System. Ponds may or may not be vegetated, and vegetation may consist of submerged or emergent species. The water level in such small bodies of water may vary significantly, and many pools are seasonal (i.e., vernal pools). 3.8.1.2 Bogs and Fens Bogs are rain-fed, have acidic water, and are nutrient-poor [Michigan State University (MSU) 2017; USEPA 2016c]. They are characterized by aquatic peat mosses (usually Sphagnum sp.). These aquatic mosses occupy the water column and often build up to form a thick deposit of peat (FGDC 2013). As mentioned in Section 3.7, a bog could be classified in the Lacustrine System if it is in a depression, more than 20 acres in size, and has less than 30 percent cover by emergent vegetation. Emergent plants, if present, are often shrubs in the heath family [Ericaceae adapted to saturated, acid conditions (FGDC 2013)]. Bogs fall into the moss/lichen class. Fens differ from bogs because they are less acidic and have higher nutrient levels (USEPA 2016c). The water in fens comes from the ground (such as from a spring), and the water chemistry may be alkaline (basic) due to minerals in the soil. These wetlands are perennially

40 Wetland Mitigation, Volume 2: A Guidebook for Airports saturated, but rarely have pools of open water. Vegetation is usually composed of herbaceous non-grassy plants such as grasses, sedges, and forbs (MSU 2017). Fens may contain peat moss, but since they have significant amounts of taller emergent vascular plants, they are included in the Emergent Class. 3.8.1.3 Freshwater Marshes Marshes are frequently flooded and dominated by emergent herbaceous plants (USEPA 2016c). Regional differences in species composition are common due to climate, underlying geology, etc. Marshes fall into the Emergent Class. 3.8.1.4 Wet Prairies Wet prairies (see Figure 3-2) are treeless and dominated by wetland grasses and other herba- ceous species. They differ from marshes in that the cover by grasses is usually higher, and the water level is usually lower [Florida Natural Areas Inventory (FNAI) 2010]. This habitat falls into the Emergent Class. 3.8.1.5 Wet Savannahs Wet savannahs are similar to wet prairies but have an overstory of pine trees. This habitat is dependent on frequent fire to prevent a dense shrub layer or closed canopy from forming (FNAI 2010). If the canopy cover is less than 30 percent, this habitat falls into the Emergent Class. If over 30 percent, it falls into the Forested Class. In some parts of the country, wet pine savannahs are called pine barrens. 3.8.1.6 Scrub-Shrub Wetlands Wetlands in the Scrub-Shrub Class are those where the tallest plants are woody, less than 6 meters (20 feet) tall, and comprise at least 30-percent coverage. Vegetation can include shrubs (species that do not exceed 6 meters in height), trees dwarfed by adverse conditions, or young trees that will grow to exceed that height and ultimately convert from Scrub-Shrub to Forested Wetland habitat. In some areas of the country, the term pocosin is used to describe Scrub-Shrub Wetlands; in other areas, this term may be used to describe densely Forested Wetlands as well. Figure 3-2. Skyhaven wet prairie. Photo courtesy of The Smart Associates.

Wetland Identification and Impacts 41 Figure 3-3. Forested wetlands: McEntire AFB, lake on north end. Photo courtesy of Environmental Resource Solutions. Figure 3-4. Floodplain swamp: Red maple swamp- floodplain wetland. Photo courtesy of The Smart Associates. 3.8.1.7 Forested Wetlands Forested Wetlands (see Figure 3-3) have at least 30 percent cover by trees greater than 6 meters (20 feet) tall. Forested swamps have many regional names that are often derived from the dominant species of trees that occur. Bay swamps (also known as baygalls and bayheads) are dominated by trees such as tupelo (Nyssa spp.) and sweetbay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). Cypress domes, dominated by cypress (Taxodium spp.), are common in the Southeast, while Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) dominates cedar swamps along the Atlantic Coast. Hardwood swamps are common throughout the country and are dominated by differ- ent species in each region. Some swamps are named for their landscape position or for how they convey water. For example, floodplain swamps (bottomlands, see Figure 3-4) border rivers or

42 Wetland Mitigation, Volume 2: A Guidebook for Airports creeks and are flooded when the river rises, and sloughs often carry a shallow sheet flow of water through the landscape. 3.9 Unique and/or Vulnerable Communities Habitats that are considered unique and/or vulnerable will vary based on the region of the country. Below is a brief overview of some of the most important. 3.9.1 Seagrasses/Submerged Aquatic Vegetation/Kelp Forests Submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) consists of rooted vascular plants that occur in wetland or deepwater Marine and Estuarine areas (FNAI 2010). In Marine and Estuarine habitats, SAV is often referred to as seagrasses. Kelp are large species of brown alga that are sessile (attached to the substrate). Kelp forests are found in Marine habitats along the Pacific Coast (NOAA 2017a). All of these habitats may be locally protected where they occur. They may provide habitat and/or food for a wide range of listed wildlife and/or commercially important species. They are vulnerable to damage by storms and boats and may be adversely impacted by activities that provide shade (such as docks or other over-water structures), increase turbidity, or change water temperature or chemistry. 3.9.2 Oyster Beds Oyster beds are restricted to Estuarine and Riverine Systems. They provide structural habitat and food for many species and are often important economically. Oyster bed health is often tied to water quality and may therefore be dependent on local sources of pollution (FNAI 2010). 3.9.3 Coral Reefs Coral reefs are mostly restricted to the Marine System. General types include patch reef and barrier reef. Coral reefs are among the most diverse and productive habitats in the world (FNAI 2010). They are also important for commercially harvested fish, recreation, and tourism. 3.9.4 Saltmarshes and Mangroves Saltmarshes (see Figure 3-5) occur in brackish or fully saline tidal areas and are dominated by herbaceous plants adapted to saline conditions. They are most prevalent in the U.S. on the eastern coast from Maine to Florida and continuing to Louisiana and Texas along the Gulf of Mexico (USEPA 2016c). They may extend into tidal rivers. Mangroves are woody species, sometimes reaching small tree size, that occupy a similar position in the landscape, but only occur in tropical or subtropical regions. In the U.S., they occur from northeast Florida south and west to Texas, and in the Caribbean. Saltmarshes and mangroves provide important habitat for protected species and provide protection from the storm surges and erosion associated with hurricanes and other major storms (USEPA 2016c). Where mangroves are common, local laws may regulate trimming. 3.9.5 Midwestern Prairie Fens Prairie fens are a globally rare habitat found in glaciated regions of the Northeast and espe- cially the Midwest. They are known to have very high plant diversity and to host many rare species (MSU 2017).

Wetland Identification and Impacts 43 3.9.6 Wet Pine Savannahs (Pine Barrens) Wet pine savannahs occur in the Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains. They occur on sandy, poorly drained soils and are generally wet at the surface (USFWS 2010). This is an open habitat with scattered trees and diverse groundcover. Frequent fire is necessary to maintain this com- munity. It is estimated that less than 5 percent of the original acreage of this habitat remains (USFWS 2010). 3.9.7 Vernal Pools Vernal pools (see Figure 3-6) are seasonally flooded depressions that occur mainly in the West Coast, Northeastern, and Midwestern regions. In the West, they occur due to Mediterranean climate conditions, while in the Northeast and Midwest, they occur in depressions formed by glacier action. They typically fill during winter and spring rains, and dry during the summer. They provide habitat for many rare plants and animals. More than 90 percent of California’s vernal pools have been lost (USEPA 2016c). 3.9.8 Southern Floodplain Forests A floodplain swamp has a closed canopy of wetland trees and occurs adjacent to a stream or river channel. Floodplain swamps provide important wildlife habitat and function as flood attenuation and water quality protection (FNAI 2010). 3.9.9 Carolina Bays Carolina bays are isolated depressional wetlands in an elliptical shape that lie in a northwest- southeast orientation. They occur from Delaware to Florida, but are most common in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Surface water levels in Carolina bays can be deep, shallow, or absent for long periods, and vary based on season and precipitation levels (Savannah River Ecology Laboratory 2017). Vegetation varies based on the water level, and can include emergents, shrubs, and/or trees. An individual Carolina bay wetland may consist of single or multiple habitat types. These may include deep open water, shallow open water, emergent Figure 3-5. Saltmarsh. Photo courtesy of The Smart Associates.

44 Wetland Mitigation, Volume 2: A Guidebook for Airports herbaceous vegetation, shrubs, or trees. Therefore, a Carolina bay wetland could be classified as a deepwater habitat or a wetland habitat in the Lacustrine System, or as one or more wetland types in the Palustrine System. Since the vegetation and hydrology are variable, the best way to identify a Carolina bay is by its shape, orientation, and regional location. 3.10 Other Resources The following habitats are often considered when assessing or impacting wetlands, however, they are not specific wetland types. Rather, they are categories of protected wildlife habitats that occur within wetlands. 3.10.1 Essential Fish Habitat Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) is a resource overseen by the NOAA NMFS. An EFH designation is intended to protect both listed and commercially important species. Congress defined EFH as “. . . those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity” [16 U.S.C. 1802(10)]. EFH is likely to include all Marine habitats, all Estuarine habi- tats, and all tidal Riverine habitats, and may include some other kinds of wetland and deepwater habitats that contribute to downstream Marine or Estuarine habitats. If impacts are incurred to the EFH, additional or special mitigation may be required. 3.10.2 Designated Habitats USFWS has designated certain areas to be Critical Habitat for specific federally listed spe- cies. These are areas determined to be essential for the species’ conservation (USFWS 2017a). Activities that require federal permits, licenses, or funding, and that will adversely affect Critical Figure 3-6. Vernal pool. Photo courtesy of The Smart Associates.

Wetland Identification and Impacts 45 Habitat require consultation with USFWS. Since many federally listed species depend on wetlands and deepwater habitats, designated Critical Habitat areas around the country include various waters and wetlands. In some cases, USFWS (or a state or local agency) has designated for- aging habitats for certain species but does not classify them as Criti- cal Habitat. These designated foraging areas may contain or consist of wetland or deepwater habitats. An example is the Core Foraging Area radius around each documented active wood stork (Mycteria americana) nesting colony in Florida and Georgia. If a proposed activity will affect important habitats within the radius, consultation with USFWS and/or wetland mitigation that conforms to certain conditions may be required. 3.11 Summary In general, wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil throughout the year or for varying periods of time. Water saturation largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. This definition can be used to describe a wide variety of wetland types from salt marshes to bogs to man-made ditches. It is important to note that standing water does not have to be present for a habitat to be defined as a wetland. Wetlands provide a wide variety of functions and values to the environment and our society. Therefore, if a proposed project is going to impact a wetland in any way, that impact must be mitigated, and the mitigation must replace the same lost functions and values as provided by the impacted wetland. To see if Critical Habitat is designated in your area, visit: • https://ecos.fws.gov/ecp/report/table/ critical-habitat.html