Wetland delination in Florida

Try this Corps of Engineers Wetlands Delineation Manual or this Swamp School

DDSM:beer:

If it floats a rubber ducky, it's wetlands!

(not too far from the truth)

> If it floats a rubber ducky, it's wetlands!
>
> (not too far from the truth)

actually, it is the soils (clays) that are most important criteria.

I'll admit that I've never been to Florida........but, wouldn't it be tougher to find dryland than wetland there? This is exceptionally true when you count all the area in the Gulf and Ocean that is technically still Florida.

Here is another site: State Wetland Delineator Certification Programs

DDSM:beer:

From what I remember of my wetlands training there are three criteria:
-Soils
-Water
-Vegitation

Two out of three will decree that something is wetland. So in my area, soils and oak trees on top of a mountain can make something a wetland.

The rules and regulations for wetland delineation in Florida can be found in Chapter 62-340 of the Florida Administrative Code (see: https://www.flrules.org/gateway/chapterhome.asp?chapter=62-340). FDEP has a set of publications available online to facilitate (see: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/water/wetlands/delineation/pubs.htm). The Florida Wetland Delineation Manual is probably what you should look at first. In Florida, there are no qualifications for being a wetland delineator, but your delineations are subject to review. I offer wetland delineation as one of my services, but I am really training with someone to become more proficient at it.

The Bow Tie Surveyor

Thank Bow Tie, I had always assumed there was a certification required. Perhaps I should seek some training in this field, because I've referred several jobs to a local environmental scientist, where he marks and I locate.

Keith

Actually it is a bit more complicated than that. A few years ago I was walking a sewer line project with a soils scientist to delineate wetlands. We were splashing through ankle deep water in a pasture and I said this MUST be wetlands - nope. The vegetation (fescue grass) ruled it out. As soon as we got out of the water into a gum tree forest he started hanging flags. Wet - not wetlands, dry (with appropriate soild and vegetation) - wetlands.

Andy

Keith

Yeah ... that FAC link that Bow Tie put up below has a list of a couple hundred species and 13 indicators that have to be evaluated.

That is how it is usually done. Someone marks the wetland area with wire flags or pieces of ribbon tied to tree branches and we come along and locate the flags. Usually their is a field review with the marker of the lines and a representative from the local regulator agency where the lines are "adjusted".

There is nothing in our surveying regulations that I am aware of that would prevent you from offering this service to your clients should you elect to do so. Just be confident in your ability and do not undertake anything that you would consider to be beyond your profession or area of expertise. The only place you could possibly get tripped up and run afoul of the Board.

I worked on a framing crew where the boss used to say that "if you knew how many degrees in a circle, you could survey.

I gues there's a lot of fields that are pretty simple. 😉

On a side note, my wife will be starting LSU, in January, going for her Phd in Biology, on a grant. She will earn around 20k/yr, and almost all of her fees will be paid by the grant.
She is also starting the process of getting certified as a Wetland Scientist, and is working, part time, for the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation.
Her going back to school, one year after getting a masters in biology, is going to be difficult, for her and our family, but an opportunity like this is to good to pass up.
Can't wait to call her Dr. Hillmann. 😉

:good:
with coastal restoration stepping up, she will hit the market at the right time with the right experience.
I hope she gets a a big slice of the BP and other oil monies for salary.

don't settle for less.