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[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 94 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30300-30301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-11508]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9946-42-OW]

National Wetland Condition Assessment 2011 Final Report

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of EPA's report on the 
National Wetland Condition Assessment (NWCA) 2011. The NWCA describes 
the results of the nationwide probabilistic survey that was conducted 
in the spring and summer of 2011 by EPA and its state and tribal 
partners. The NWCA 2011 report includes information on how the survey 
was implemented, what the findings are on a national and ecoregional 
scale, and future actions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gregg Serenbetz, Office of Wetlands, 
Oceans and Watersheds, Office of Water (4502T), Washington, DC. Phone: 
202-566-1253; email: serenbetz.gregg@epa.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. General Information

    The National Wetland Condition Assessment 2011: A Collaborative 
Survey of the Nation's Wetlands is the first report to use a 
statistically-valid random design to assess the condition of the 
nation's wetlands. It is one of a series of National Aquatic Resource 
Surveys (NARS), a national-scale monitoring program designed to produce 
statistically-valid assessments that answer critical questions about 
the condition of waters in the United States.
    The key goals of the NWCA are to: (1) Describe the ecological 
condition of the nation's wetlands and stressors commonly associated 
with poor condition; (2) collaborate with states and tribes in 
developing complementary monitoring tools, analytical approaches, and 
data management technology to aid wetland protection and restoration 
program, and (3) advance the science of wetland monitoring and 
assessment to support wetland management needs. Using a statistical 
survey design, 967 sites were selected at random to represent the 
condition of wetlands across the lower 48 states. Both tidal and 
nontidal wetlands were targeted for sampling.
    The NWCA finds less than half of wetland area nationally (48%) is 
in good condition; 32% is in poor condition and

[[Page 30301]]

the remaining 20% is in fair condition based on assessments of the 
plant community. Physical disturbances to wetlands and their 
surrounding habitat such as compacted soil, ditching, or removal of 
plants, are the most widespread problems across the country. 
Approximately a quarter of wetland area nationally has high stress 
levels for surface hardening, vegetation removal, and ditching. The 
report has undergone public, peer, state/tribal, and EPA review.

A. How can I get copies of the NWCA 2011 report and other related 
information?

    You may view and download the final report from EPA's Web site at: 
http://www.epa.gov/national-aquatic-resource-surveys/nwca.

    Dated: May 8, 2016.
Joel Beauvais,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of Water.
[FR Doc. 2016-11508 Filed 5-13-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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