Wetland habitats—like swamps, marshes, bogs, and vernal pools—are permanently or seasonally flooded, covered with ponds, or saturated for a substantial period during the growing season. Nearly all wetlands are considered “waters of the United States” and fall under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Before issuing a permit to fill all or part of a wetland, the Corps usually requires a wetland delineation that characterizes the location and size of the wetland.
FISHBIO professionals routinely conduct wetland delineations in compliance with section 404 of the U.S. Clean Water Act. Our biologists are trained in federal wetland delineation methods and can identify and classify wetland indicators, including hydric soils, water-adapted vegetation, and hydrology. We use state-of-the-art techniques such as high-resolution aerial photography and geographic information systems (GIS) to map the boundaries of wetlands and determine the extent of potential project impacts.
