Briggs Environmental Lab
(954) 540-0792

The 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual provides general technical guidance and procedures, from a national perspective, for identifying and delineating wetlands that may be subject to regulatory jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (33 U.S.C. 403).  According to the Corps Manual, identification of wetlands is based on a three-factor approach involving indicators of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soil, and wetland hydrology.

 

The Regional Supplements to the Manual present wetland indicators, delineation guidance, and other information that is specific to the given region. The Regional Supplements are part of a nationwide effort to address regional wetland characteristics and improve the accuracy and efficiency of wetland delineation procedures. Regional differences in climate, geology, soils, hydrology, plant and animal communities, and other factors are important to the identification and functioning of wetlands. These differences cannot be considered adequately in a single national manual. The development of the supplements follow National Academy of Sciences recommendations to increase the regional sensitivity of wetland delineation methods. The intent of the supplements are to bring the Corps Manual up to date with current knowledge and practice in the regions and not to change the way wetlands are defined or identified. The procedures given in the Corps Manual, in combination with wetland indicators and guidance provided in this supplement, can be used to identify wetlands for a number of purposes, including resource inventories, management plans, and regulatory programs. The determination that a wetland is subject to regulatory jurisdiction under Section 404 or Section 10 must be made independently of procedures described in the supplements. The Regional Supplements are designed for use with the current (1987) version of the Corps Manual. Where differences in the two documents occur, the Regional Supplement takes precedence over the Corps Manual for applications in the given region. The supplements identify specific sections of the Corps Manual that are replaced by the supplement. Other guidance and procedures given in the supplements are intended to augment the Corps Manual, but not necessarily to replace it. The Corps of Engineers has final authority over the use and interpretation of the Corps Manual and the supplement for the given region.

 

Indicators and procedures given in the supplements are designed to identify wetlands as defined jointly by the Corps of Engineers (33 CFR 328.3) and Environmental Protection Agency (40 CFR 230.3). Wetlands are a subset of the “waters of the United States” that may be subject to regulation under Section 404.  Amendments to the supplements will be issued periodically in response to new scientific information and user comments. Between published versions, Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, may provide updates to the supplements and any other supplemental information used to make wetland determinations under Section 404 or Section 10. Wetland delineators should use the most recent approved versions of this document and supplemental information. Refer to the Corps of Engineers Headquarters regulatory web site for information and updates: (http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/Pages/cecwo_reg.aspx).

 

This course is designed to bring experienced wetland delineators or those who have taken a basic wetland delineation course prior to publication of the Regional Supplements up to date with the more refined indicators and procedures currently implemented under the new federal guidelines.

 

​A Certificate of Training showing completion of 18 Professional Development Hours is awarded upon completion of this course.  Successful completion is determined by attendance and participation in all lecture, field, and laboratory sessions.