Alaska

United States Region 10 IdahoEnvironmental Protection 1200 Sixth Avenue OregonAgency Seattle WA 98101 WashingtonOffice of Water October 1996

Wetland Walk ManualA Guidebook for Citizen Participation

EPA 910/R-009

First-Class Mail

Postage and Fees Paid

EPA United States Permit No. G-35 Environmental Protection

Agency

1200 Sixth Avenue

Seattle WA 98101

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use

$300

Introduction

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is committed tohelping landowners, farmers and the general public learn more about thefunctions and benefits of wetlands. EPA is also committed to involvingthe public in efforts to conserve our remaining wetlands and restorethose that are threatened or impaired. For these reasons we are invitingyour participation in the Wetland Walk program.The purpose of Wetland Walk is to give citizens the opportunity tobecome partners in learning about this valuable resource and at thesame time collect information and data which will help identify trends inwetlands health and location. Wetland Walk is a companion program tothe successful Streamwalk program.

16 1

the surface in determining the health of

more to help insure its protection, the

re in-depth monitoring information.

y

Oregon Department ofEnvironmental QualityWater Quality Division811 SW 6th AvenuePortland, OR 97204(503) 229-5696Washington Department of EcologyPO Box 47710Olympia, WA 98504-7710(360) 407-6000
nsible for the development of Wetland

grass roots tool citizens can use to

vironment. We hope you will use

ly organized, long-term citizen

. If such a program already exists, we

ire you, your friends & family to

e groups.at focuses on providing information and

We encourage local organizations to

mments about Wetland Walk, please

Wetland Walk

rista Rave

PA, Region 10

 Avenue (ECO-081)

WA 98101-9797

6) 553-6686

roup in your area, please let us know!

2 15

Wetland Walk Notes
3

What Is a Wetland?Wetlands are areas of land that are wet at least part of the year.Wetland Walk is limited to the visual observation of vegetated wetlands,commonly referred to as swamps, bogs and marshes. Other aquaticenvironments, such as river bottoms and rocky shores, are beyond thescope of this manual.Wetlands are characterized by their hydrology (water), hydric soils (soilsthat form due to presence of water), and hydrophytic vegetation (plantsadapted to living in soils that are saturated).The Clean Water Act definition for wetlands is:

Wetlands are those areas that are inundated or saturated by

surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to

support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a

prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil

conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs,

and similar areas.

In recent years we have become aware of the important role thesecomplex ecosystems play in the health of our environment and thequality of our water. Wetlands perform the following important functions:

• Provide fish and wildlife habitats• Support complex food webs• Absorb water to reduce flooding and damage from storms• Trap sediments• Provide erosion control• Improve the quality of the water• Replenish groundwater and help maintain flows in streams by

releasing water during periods of dry weather.

• Provide open space & aesthetic value

You do not need extensive knowledge of wetlands to complete thisassessment. Wetland Walk is designed to gather Observational data.There are no right or wrong answers. We are asking for yourobservations and assessment of conditions based on your bestjudgement. If you are in doubt, do not feel you have to answer aquestion.It is hoped that you enjoy this opportunity to understand and appreciatethe role wetlands play in our ecosystem. You will also be helping othersby providing useful information on wetlands in your area.

 or

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 the

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5

14

Your Work Example

450

10 cm

45 sec/cm

47o 30'

216/60

3 times

(180)

216-180=

36 left over

or 3'36"

4.8 x 45

= 216

4.8 cm

47o 33'36"
nd Walk

t groups involved in environmental

 groups may be able to provide you with

ocal wetland sites. Also, your survey

alue to other environmental groups or

.

your Wetland Walk. You may wish to

, one that is close to your residence or

to do a series of wetlands in a watershed

ncentrate your efforts in areas suspected

nded that wetland walks be done four

) at your site.

y topographic (USGS topo) map of your

 excellent resource because they show

ons, waterways and roads. Topo maps

ude and longitude of your site. {Help in

 provided in the Appendix.}

ad map (1:24,000 scale where 11 inches

t local sporting goods stores. The cost

 also find a copy to photocopy at your

em directly from USGS. For assistance,

 Wetland Walk site survey data form. It

 the manual and form before you begin

po map and one survey data form per

e following equipment useful.

animal tracks, amphibians, insects)

umentation from fixed photo points

4 13

Longitude1) Look at the right side (upper or

lower corner) under the mapname, or the second of twonumbers separated by “x”, tofind the width scale (longitude) ofthe map:

If “7.5 Minute Series,”

enter 450

If “15 Minute Series,”

enter 900

If “7.5x15 Minute Series,”

enter 900

If “15x30 Minute Series,”

enter 900

2) Using a ruler, measure the width

of your map east to west(exclude borders)

3) Divide #1 by #2 to the nearest

whole number

4) Enter the Longitude located in

the lower right hand corner.

5) Using a ruler, measure

(centimeters) from your site,straight across, to the right handside of the map.

6) Multiply #5 by #3 (to the nearest

whole number)

7) Convert #6 to minutes and

seconds by dividing by 60. Yourwhole number after division isthe number of minutes, and theremainder is the number ofseconds. (Do not use acalculator.) For example, 215can be divided by 60 threetimes. 215-180=35. So 215converts to 3’35".

8) Add #4 to #7The Answer for #8 is the

Longitude of your site.

Your Work Example

900

10 cm

90 sec/cm

122o 00'

333/60

5 times

(300)

333-300=

33 left over

or 5'33"

3.7 x 90

= 333

3.7 cm

122o 5'33"
Data Collection Tips

Now you are ready to begin your Walk. Please, consider the followingWetland Walk-related precautionary tips:Get the permission of landowners to cross any private land, posted ornot. Do Not Enter Areas Without Permission. It is recommended that

you use public access points (such as city/county/state parks andcampgrounds).Only record what you see, not what you have previously seen. Picturesare an excellent way to document changes in the wetland. Photos canalso be used by resource professionals to study and assess thecondition of the wetland. Be sure to take photographs at the samelocation each time you survey the wetland.

• Always work with someone.• Do not put yourself in danger to gather survey information.• Be careful of ticks, poison oak, nettles, insects. Bring repellent.

Wear long pants and boots; windbreakers help to block nettles.

• Watch out for irate dogs.• The water is not safe to drink.

If for any reason you feel uncomfortable about the site conditions orsurroundings, please stop your Wetland Walk. You and your safety aremuch more important than any of the objectives of the Walk.Wetlands are fragile areas. Do not disturb them more than necessary tomake your observations. Be particularly careful during spring and earlysummer when many wetlands wildlife species are nesting and rearingtheir young. The information you are seeking does not require you to digholes or take plant samples.

5

g Latitude and Longitude

ed in degrees, minutes and seconds.

e and 60 minutes in a degree. The

e, ‘=minute and “=seconds. The

 determine the Latitude and Longitude

12

7.5 x 15 minute series

Read Longitude (question #4)

Read Latitude (question #12)

47°30'

Wetland Walk Wetland Walk Site
vey Data Form

a Form to record your observations.

ur walk.

f any pertinent groups to which you

mber.

address if there is one.

hich the wetland is located.

h the wetland is located.

r city closest to the wetland.

any bodies of water adjacent to the

he name of the watershed in which the

cated, write it here.

ation site: A brief narrative

of the site.

primary observation site:

d to locate a site on the earth is by

itude. For information to be entered into

stem (GIS) the longitude and latitude

12, you will find the section explaining

e longitude and latitude, using your

 pencil.

 and wind can affect the level of wildlife

ar interest because it affects flow, clarity

 wetland. Definitions of weather

 National Weather Service are:

ore of rain in 24 hours, usually

anied by winds

ain in 24 hours, light steady rainfall

" of rain in 24 hours, intermittent and

 in intensity

% cloud cover

 cloud cover

cloud cover

r conditions can be found the following

6

Longitude: Accepted, imaginary reference lines, referred to asmeridians, drawn in east west parallels of the Greenwich Meridian; Usedin conjunction with latitude to determine site location on the earth’ssurface.Marshes: A type of wetland dominated by vegetation such as grasses,cattails and other non woody plants.Observational Data: Information which is collected through visualobservations, not measured or collected following scientific protocols.Pond: Freshwater body smaller than 20 acres, less than 2 meters (6.6feet) deep.Scat: An animal fecal dropping.Sediment: Insoluble particles of soil, silt and other solid materials thatbecome suspended in water and eventually fall to the bottom of a bodyof water.Silt: A grain measuring 1/16 mm to 1/256 mm in diameter, which issmaller than fine sand but larger than coarse clay. A silt grain cannot beseen by the unaided eye, but an individual silt grain can be seen with theaid of a 10x hand lens. The gritty feel of silt cannot be discerned by thefingertips, but can be noticed when a few grains are placed in the mouth.Topographic (Topo) Map: A map prepared by the United StatesGeological Survey which shows the topography of the earth; used inStreamwalk and Wetland Walk to determine longitude and latitude.Wetland: The Clean Water Act defines wetlands as “those areas thatare inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequencyand duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstancesdo support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life insaturated soil conditions.”

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4. Sketch out a map of your wetland and mark up to three

observational points around the wetland that you will be using. Inyour drawing, include areas of open water, vegetation, and observedwater inflows and outflows.By using the same observational points during each survey visit, youwill have consistent information. If possible, three points should beselected to offer a comprehensive profile of the wetland. Thesepoints should be selected so that the maximum amount of thewetland can be seen. Provide answers which reflect the predominantcharacteristic of the three points. If there is a markedly differentcharacteristic, which is not elsewhere, note it on your map and in theadditional comments section. Photographs should be taken at eachof the three points and of the abnormal characteristic.

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5. Estimate the size, in acres, of the wetland, excluding the buffer.

Size can be computed if you have access to an aerial photographicmap. In other cases, please estimate to the best of your ability. Abenchmark is that a standard football field covers approximately oneacre (1.03 acres). An acre equals 4,840 square yards or 43,560square feet.

6. The buffer width along each side (north, south, east, west) of the

wetland is:❑ no natural buffer (e.g., housing development or farmland is built to

the edge of the wetland)

❑ less than 50 feet❑ 50 to 100 feet❑ More than 100 feetBuffers are the undeveloped, upland areas which surround a wetlandand provide protection from adjacent land use effects. Buffers providevarying degrees of protection depending on such things as width,vegetative conditions (trees, shrubs, or grasses), slope, and type ofadjacent land use disturbance. The most effective buffers generally

Sample Map Drawing

ed when discussing wetlands.

ebrates belonging to the class Amphibia;

ers, and newts. Have gilled aquatic

at are areas dominated by sphagnum

 of vegetation. The vegetation grows,

cidic (low pH), decomposes slowly. This

ntributing to the development of peat

h of more plants. This vegetation,

oss, is collected and sold for garden soil

 wetland from outside disturbances, and

mpacts of adjacent land uses (e.g.,

ertilizers). Vegetated buffers provide

effective protection for the area.

o conduct water under land, roads or

em made up of an ecological community

nment.

between rivers and near shore ocean

er flow create a mixing of fresh and salt

e bays, mouths of rivers, salt marshes

ms, each feeding or decomposing the

ms (GIS): Computer based mapping

 types of information.

tored underground in areas of porous

ells tap ground water. Ground water is

which infiltrates the soil; groundwater

 by nearby rivers, streams and creeks.

an organism or community of organisms

an 20 acres and at least 2 meters (6.6

eference lines drawn in north/south

used in conjunction with longitude to

arth’s surface.

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tation. Buffers are critical because they

jacent land use practices and the

ring and diffusion of runoff water from

as also occur in buffer areas. Theyfor organisms and wildlife that use the

ding the wetland is anything but an

ere is no buffer. Please provide a

, if there is one.

 one or more of the following

s) are often found next to streams and

be found in isolated depressions. The

 of trees (e.g. cedars, spruce,

w species) over 20 feet tall with low

he trees.

also often found next to streams and

olated depressions. The dominant

oody vegetation such as woody shrubs

n 20 feet tall.

of mostly grasses and plants that have

n describing wetlands is the presence

n wetland areas. The presence and

 type of vegetation found in the wetland.

 water to change throughout the year.

f moving water in or out of a wetland can

nd function of the wetland.

to a variety of animals. Indicate the

e visiting your wetland.

ors of the health of a wetland. The

ve species of frogs, toads, salamanders,

ealthy wetland.

ay be of concern and should be noted.

me regions of the United States. They

dwestern United States and southeastern

duction, they are now well established

ern United States and southwestern

maller native frogs and small birds. In

ular, bull frogs may be the only species

ompete other, smaller native species.

8

In order to see wildlife, sit or stand quietly for 15 minutes. You maywant to refer to bird and other field guides (for example Amphibians

of Washington and Oregon by W. P. Leonard et al. is a good

resource). Indicate the observations you made while visiting yourwetland.

10.Indicate the land uses found in or adjacent to the wetland and

draw those features on your map. Be sure to include theseobservations on your wetland map.Adjacent land use can have a tremendous impact on a wetlandecosystem. Destruction of the buffer area can create changes whichaffect soil, natural hydrology, the animal habitat and plantcommunities. For example, construction of a large parking lot in oradjacent to a wetland buffer will decrease filtration of water into thesoil, and increase the intensity and amount of storm water runoff intothe wetland. These hydrology changes can impact plant and animalcommunities, resulting in decreased diversity. It can also cause silt,too many nutrients, and contaminated storm water runoff to enter thewetland and destroy the delicate habitat.

11.Indicate which, if any, of the following activities appear to be

taking place within the wetland area.a. dumping of soil, gravel and/or vegetationb. dumping of human-made materials, litteringc. grading, evidenced by tracks and scraped soild. draining of water evidenced by pipes or ditches leading out of the

wetland

e. channelizing of water evidenced by ditches or trenchesf. bulkheads built between shore and wetlandg. tracks of recreational vehiclesh. livestock access, evidenced by animals observed in the area, or

animal tracks

i. pipes or culverts which transport storm water from parking lots or

roads into the wetland.

For many years the importance of wetlands has not beenunderstood. As many people today still do not see wetlands asvaluable ecosystems, they drain, fill or alter them to meet otherneeds.

12.Please indicate which, if any, of the following signs of wetland

degradation is present.a. silt, sand or gravel depositsb. wetland stream bank erosion, evidenced by newly exposed soilsc. other (please list)Activities of humans can adversely affect the delicate ecosystems ofwetlands. Alterations of water courses can cause severe flooding,which kills trees and plant life, destroy streams and adds sediment tothe system.

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