Wetland Regulations and Ecology Overview

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to wetland regulations, ecology, and management, based on the lecture notes.

Wetland

An area that is inundated or saturated by water, either permanently or seasonally, creating distinct ecological conditions.

Section 404

Part of the Clean Water Act that regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters, including wetlands.

Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce adverse impacts on wetlands, including restoration, enhancement, creation, and preservation.

Delineation

The process of identifying and mapping the boundaries of wetlands for regulatory purposes.

Hydric Soils

Soils that formed under conditions of saturation, flooding, or ponding long enough to develop anaerobic conditions.

Hydrophytic Vegetation

Plant life that occurs in wetlands, characterized by adaptations to saturated soils.

Mitigation Banking

A system that allows for the restoration, creation, or enhancement of wetlands by third parties as a way to offset permitted destruction.

Nationwide Permit

A type of permit issued by the Army Corps of Engineers that covers various activities affecting waters and wetlands.

In-lieu Fee Mitigation

A form of off-site mitigation where a permittee pays a fee to a sponsor for wetland conservation instead of restoring wetlands themselves.

Obligate Wetland Plants (OBL)

Plants that occur almost always (estimated probability >99 percent) in wetlands.

Facultative Wetland Plants (FACW)

Plants that usually occur in wetlands but may also be found in nonwetlands (estimated probability 67-99 percent in wetlands).

Facultative Plants (FAC)

Plants with similar likelihood (estimated probability 33-67 percent) of occurring in both wetlands and nonwetlands.

Section 401 Water Quality Certification

A certification that ensures wetlands and waters will not be negatively impacted by the proposed activities.

Endangered Species Act

A federal law aimed at protecting species that are at risk of extinction, which impacts wetland permitting.

Cultural Resources (National Historic Preservation Act)

Protection of cultural resources that may be affected by wetland permitting processes.

Ecosystem Functions

Vital processes that wetlands perform, such as water filtration, flood control, and habitat provision.

Wetland Hydrology

The system of water sources, movement, and storage in wetland areas.

Public Notice Period

A 30-day period where the public can comment on wetland permit applications.