Wetlands

Wetland Assessments and Delineations

To facilitate the orderly development of a site, it is imperative to have a wetland assessment performed prior to the initiation of the site planning effort.  Failure to take into account the wetland constraints of the site can lead to project delays, unrealized expectations, and costly redesign.

• SME’s wetland scientists perform delineations using the USACE 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and regional supplements – including detailed analysis of vegetation, soils and hydrology.  Once our wetland scientists determine the wetland boundaries, and use GPS to map and model the boundaries with a CAD/GIS database to provide detailed wetland maps overlaying our client’s project design.
• SME can provide wetland delineation services in a timely and cost effective manner to assist you in meeting your project goals.  SME will prepare a wetland delineation map and a wetland delineation report, per the applicable USACE district standards, and conduct a site visit with USACE staff to procure written verification from the USACE of the wetland delineation. 

Wetland Mitigation Design and Supervision/Riparian Habitat Evaluations

Impacts to wetlands and streams require justification and compensatory mitigation under the authority of the USACE.  The need to obtain wetland permits and design wetland mitigation generally increases the development costs beyond projects without wetland impacts.  These costs vary depending on the type and quality of wetlands, and the extent of impacts proposed.

•  SME can help you determine these costs as part of due diligence of a property.  The first step is determining whether your property contains jurisdictional wetlands and streams and where they are located.
•  If your project will require wetland mitigation, SME staff has experience with wetland mitigation planning, design, and implementation.
•  SME staff can assist with assessments of wetland functional values.  SME is adept at utilizing the Functional Assessment of Colorado Wetlands (FACWet) developed by Colorado State University and the Colorado Department of Transportation.  USACE encourages use of the FACWet to determine mitigation requirements.  If appropriate for a specific project, SME’s staff is also experienced in the use of USACE’s adapted Wetland Evaluation Technique (WET), the Hydrogeomorphic functional assessment method (HGM), the Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure (WRAP), and the USFWS’s accepted Habitat Evaluation Procedure (HEP).  SME can also provide evaluation of on-and off-site mitigation opportunities, as well as compensation planning for threatened or endangered species.  SME also can provide design services for created/restored/enhanced wetlands and streams, including a grading plan and detailed list of plant species to construct new or enhanced habitats including vernal pools, seasonal wetlands, perennial marshes, stable stream channels, riparian zones, and woodlands.
• SME is also prepared to assist with the next phase of construction of a mitigation site, including preparation of detailed wetland mitigation, restoration and/or enhancement plans; planning, design, and implementation of a mitigation bank; management, supervision, and monitoring of construction activities during implementation of wetland mitigation sites; and long-term monitoring for mitigation compliance, including vegetation and habitat surveys, photographic recordation, hydrologic surveys, water quality monitoring, evaluation of site for success criteria, and annual reporting.
• SME professionals are experts in stream and wetland design and creation.  Whether driven by regulators, or to improve a degraded site, an appropriate design is needed to ensure ecological success for the long term.