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Wetland Science

Wetland Marsh Image

It is the policy of the Natural Resources Conservation Service to use the biological sciences (a) to develop and improve soil and water conservation measures that help  maintain fish and wildlife as integral components of all ecosystems such as forest, range, cropland, and aquatic ecosystems; (b) to protect the habitat of threatened and endangered species of plants and animals; (c) to safeguard unique ecosystems; (d) to develop and maintain an esthetically pleasing, high quality environment. 

The information provided below is to assist NRCS, it's partners and clients with documents that are used for wetland determinations and compliance issues.

National Food Security Act Manual (NFSAM)

3rd Edition - Wetland Conservation Parts

Please note that the National Food Security Act Manual (NFSAM) 5th Edition will be out soon.  It is comprised of 12 parts, covering both the highly erodible land conservation and wetland conservation compliance provisions.  This edition will be available online in its entirety.  In the meantime, copies of the 3rd Edition, covering the wetland conservation provisions may be requested by calling the Management Services Division, Phyllis I. Williams, Directives Manager at 301-504-2170 or sending an email to: phyllis.williams@wdc.usda.gov 

Wetland Determination Procedures

Requires Adobe Acrobat IconAdobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat IconWetland Determination Procedures for Agricultural Land 3-1-2007

Wetland Determinations Aid - 7 and 15 Day Flood Data/Profiles

Tabular data and stream profiles that are provided for flooding where durations are sustained for periods of 7 and 15 consecutive days, at least once every two years (50% chance), during the growing season.  Information should be used within a stream floodplain or riverine area in considering the potential for flooding to enhance or impact hydric soils and/or tree plantings in connection with programs falling within the USDA-NRCS Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) and Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP).  Please note that some of these files are large and may required additional time to load.

 

 

 

 

Requires Adobe Acrobat IconAdobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat IconOhio River 7-15 Day Profile 1995 (3.2 MB)
Adobe Acrobat IconPatoka River 7-15 Day Profile 1995 (1.8 MB)
Adobe Acrobat IconWabash River 7-15 Day Profile 1995 (4.5 MB)

Adobe Acrobat IconWabash River 7 Day Map-1 January 2007 (2.0 MB)
Adobe Acrobat IconWabash River 7 Day Map-2 January 2007 (1.8 MB)
Adobe Acrobat IconWabash River 7 Day Map-3 January 2007 (1.8 MB)

Adobe Acrobat IconWabash River 7 Day Flood Profile RM-240-January 2007 (96 KB)
Adobe Acrobat IconWabash River 7 Day Flood Profile RM-280-January 2007 (128 KB)

Adobe Acrobat IconWabash River 7 Day Flood Table January 2007 (17.9 KB)

Adobe Acrobat IconWhite River 7 Day Elevations 1995 (355 KB)

Wetland Mapping Conventions

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Adobe Acrobat IconWetland Mapping Conventions  (File size - 10.3 MB)

Wetland Documents

Requires Microsoft Word or Microsoft Excel

Minimal Effect --

    Minimal Effect Worksheet

    Minimal Effect Agreement

Mitigation --

   Indiana NRCS Wetland Mitigation Policy

   Mitigation - Easement Process (Flow Chart)

    Mineral Soil Flats

    Organic Soil Flats

    Saturated Soil Flats

   Example - Mitigation Ratio Calculator

Wetland Forms

    Agricultural Wetland Data Sheet

    1987 COE Data Form
 

Biology Technical Notes Related to WetlandsOpen Water Wetland Image

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Adobe Acrobat documentBiology Technical Note No. 1 -- Using Micro and Macrotopography in Wetland Restoration 

Adobe Acrobat documentBiology Technical Note No. 3 -- Wetland Plantings for Wildlife

Adobe Acrobat documentBiology Technical Note No. 4 -- Wetland, Mosquitoes and West Nile Virus

Links (Leaves this site)

Image of a duck in a wetlandNRCS Links