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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8285-8288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01798]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers

National Wetland Plant List

AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Wetland Plant List (NWPL) provides plant species

[[Page 8286]]

indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the 
hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland 
delineations under the Clean Water Act and section 10 of the Rivers and 
Harbors Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation 
Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL 
include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects. 
To update the NWPL, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of an 
interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is 
announcing the availability of the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL to 
solicit public comments. The public will now have the opportunity to 
comment on the proposed changes to wetland indicator status ratings for 
ten plant species over five different regions.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 31, 2025.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G Street 
NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brianne McGuffie, Headquarters, U.S. 
Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Regulatory Community of 
Practice, Washington, DC 20314-1000, by phone at 202-761-4750 or by 
email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) administers the NWPL for 
the United States (U.S.) and its territories. Responsibility for the 
NWPL was transferred to USACE from the FWS in 2006. The NWPL has 
undergone several revisions since its inception in 1988. Additions or 
deletions to the NWPL represent new records, range extensions, 
nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, and newly proposed species. The 
latest review process began in 2024 and included review by Regional 
Panels (RPs) and the National Panel (NP).

Wetland Indicator Status Ratings

    On the NWPL, there are five categories of wetland indicator status 
ratings used to indicate a plant's likelihood for occurrence in 
wetlands versus non-wetlands: Obligate Wetland (OBL), Facultative 
Wetland (FACW), Facultative (FAC), Facultative Upland (FACU), and 
Upland (UPL). These rating categories are defined by the NP as follows: 
OBL--almost always occur in wetlands; FACW--usually occur in wetlands 
but may occur in non-wetlands; FAC--occur in wetlands and non-wetlands; 
FACU--usually occur in non-wetlands but may occur in wetlands; UPL--
almost always occur in non-wetlands. These category definitions are 
qualitative descriptions that better reflect the qualitative supporting 
information, rather than numeric frequency ranges. The percentage 
frequency categories used in the older definitions are only used for 
testing problematic or contested species being recommended for 
indicator status changes. All other previously utilized indicator 
designations are no longer used on the NWPL. More information on the 
specifics of how to use these ratings is available on the NWPL website 
at https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/.
    The NWPL is utilized in conducting wetland determinations under the 
authority of section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and 
section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et 
seq.) and wetland determinations under the authority of the Food 
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.). For the purposes of 
determining how often a species occurs in wetlands, wetlands are 
defined as either (1) 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 
(33 CFR 328.3) or (2) ``except when such term is part of the term 
`converted wetland,' means land that has a predominance of hydric 
soils; is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a 
frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of 
hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil 
conditions; and under normal circumstances does support a prevalence of 
such vegetation, except that this term does not include lands in Alaska 
identified as having a high potential for agricultural development and 
a predominance of permafrost soils.'' (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)(27) and 7 CFR 
12.2). Because each plant species being evaluated occurs as part of a 
vegetation assemblage, examining all species present in relation to 
their assigned wetland fidelity may be useful in assessing hydrophytic 
vegetation.

2024 Update Information

    For the 2024 NWPL update, requested wetland indicator status rating 
changes were submitted by the public. One member of the public 
submitted a request to change the wetland indicator status rating for 
Cicendia quadrangularis to FAC in the Arid West region. However, the 
submitter's requested change is already reflected on the NWPL. Since 
the requested indicator status rating of FAC is the same wetland 
indicator status rating already contained in the NWPL, no change is 
being proposed by the NWPL NP for this species. The NWPL NP and 
pertinent RPs reviewed the proposed changes for two other species, 
Alnus incana and Amaranthus tuberculatus, and made recommendations for 
the proposed 2024 wetland indicator status ratings for these species 
detailed below.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Proposed 2024 NWPL
              Species                      Region(s) *        Current 2022 NWPL rating           rating
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alnus incana......................  AGCP, EMP...............  FACU....................  FACW.
Amaranthus tuberculatus...........  MW, NCNE................  OBL.....................  FACW.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* AGCP--Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain; EMP--Eastern Mountains and Piedmont; MW--Midwest; NCNE--Northcentral
  and Northeast.

    For the 2024 NWPL update, the Alaska RP requested an evaluation of 
the wetland indicator status ratings for eight species in the Alaska 
region which have different wetland indicator status ratings for 
certain subregions within Alaska. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and 
Development Center, in collaboration with the Alaska RP, evaluated the 
subregional wetland indicator status ratings for those eight species 
using repeatable methods for assignment of wetland indicator status 
rating, including multiple correspondence analysis, analysis of 
similarity, non-metric multidimensional scaling, principal component 
analysis, and machine learning techniques. Based on the results of this 
research (Whitecloud et al., 2024), as well as input from the NWPL NP 
and the

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Alaska RP, we propose the following changes, which are summarized in 
the table below. A copy of this report can be reviewed at the following 
link: http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/49509. Note: no changes are 
being proposed to the overall Alaska regional wetland indicator status 
ratings. Subregion acronyms are defined below the recommendations 
table.
    1. Andromeda polifolia--for the two examined subregions with 
adequate sample size (IAL, UKK), change wetland indicator status rating 
from OBL to FACW. The wetland indicator status rating remains OBL in 
IAM. For the two examined subregions without adequate sample size (CRB, 
IBR), the wetland indicator status rating will remain OBL, as there was 
not sufficient data to support an indicator status change.
    2. Arctous rubra--change the wetland indicator status rating for 
all subregions examined (WBR, NBR, NSL, SPH) to match the state wetland 
indicator status rating of FAC.
    3. Carex canescens--no change to the subregion wetland indicator 
status rating of FAC, as none of the five subregions examined (IAL, 
IAM, CRB, IBR, UKK) had adequate sample size to support a different 
indicator.
    4. Rhododendron tomentosum--change the wetland indicator status 
rating for the subregion examined (PDA) to match the state wetland 
indicator status rating of FACW.
    5. Rubus arcticus--no change to the subregion wetland indicator 
status rating of FACU. Retention of FACU is supported by the analyses 
for three subregions (IAH, IAM, CRB), but two subregions (IAL and IBR) 
did not have enough data for analysis, so remain unchanged.Salix 
arctica--remains FAC in ACP (supported by analyses) and NSL (not enough 
data to support change). WBR and SPH are reassigned from FAC to FACU to 
match the state.
    6. Salix pulchra--change the wetland indicator status rating for 
all subregions examined (WBR, PDA) to match the state wetland indicator 
status rating of FACW.
    7. Viola palustris--change the rating for AKI from FAC to FACW. For 
the purposes of this proposed change, the change from FAC to FACW for 
Viola palustris will apply to Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) 230 
(Yukon-Kuskokwim Highlands) and 232 (Yukon Flats Lowland). Under this 
proposal, the other NWPL subregions (i.e., MLRAs) found in AKI (CBR, 
IAH, IAL, IAM, IBR, PDA) will remain FAC. Retention of FAC for IAH and 
IAM is supported by analyses; the remaining subregions did not have 
enough data.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Current Alaska                           Current NWPL     Proposed 2024 NWPL
          Species name                  rating             Subregion       subregion rating    subregion rating
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andromeda polifolia.............  FACW..............  IAL...............  OBL...............  FACW.
                                                      IAM...............  OBL...............  OBL.
                                                      CRB...............  OBL...............  OBL.
                                                      IBR...............  OBL...............  OBL.
                                                      UKK...............  OBL...............  FACW.
Arctous rubra...................  FAC...............  WBR...............  FACW..............  FAC.
                                                      NBR...............  FACW..............  FAC.
                                                      NSL...............  FACW..............  FAC.
                                                      SPH...............  FACW..............  FAC.
Carex canescens.................  FACW..............  IAL...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      IAM...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      CRB...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      IBR...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      UKK...............  FAC...............  FAC.
Rhododendron tomentosum.........  FACW..............  PDA...............  FAC...............  FACW.
Rubus arcticus..................  FAC...............  IAH...............  FACU..............  FACU.
                                                      IAL...............  FACU..............  FACU.
                                                      IAM...............  FACU..............  FACU.
                                                      CRB...............  FACU..............  FACU.
                                                      IBR...............  FACU..............  FACU.
Salix arctica...................  FACU..............  ACP...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      WBR...............  FAC...............  FACU.
                                                      NSL...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      SPH...............  FAC...............  FACU.
Salix pulchra...................  FACW..............  WBR...............  FAC...............  FACW.
                                                      PDA...............  FAC...............  FACW.
Viola palustris.................  FACW..............  AKI...............  FAC...............  FACW.
                                                      IAH...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      IAL...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      IAM...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      CRB...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      IBR...............  FAC...............  FAC.
                                                      PDA...............  FAC...............  FAC.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACP--Arctic Coastal Plain; AKI--Alaska Interior; CRB--Copper River Basin; IAH--Interior Alaska Highlands; IAL--
  Interior Alaska Lowlands; IAM--Interior Alaska Mountains; IBR--Interior Brooks Range; NBR--Northern Brooks
  Range; NSL--Northern Seward Peninsula; PDA--Pebble/Donlin/Aniak; SPH--Seward Peninsula Highlands; UKK--Upper
  Kobuk-Koyukuk; WBR--Western Brooks Range.

Instructions for Providing Comments

    USACE encourages public input in the form of data, comments, 
literature references, or field experiences, to help clarify the status 
of the species reviewed for this update. Comments on these proposed 
changes should be emailed to [email protected]. Users are encouraged 
to submit literature citations, herbaria records, experiential 
references, monitoring data, photographic documentation, and other 
relevant information. Specific knowledge of, or studies related to, 
individual species are particularly helpful. When providing input or 
information on the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL update, commenters 
should

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use their regional botanical and ecological expertise, field 
observations, reviews of the most recent indicator status information, 
appropriate botanical literature, floras, herbarium specimens with 
notation of habitat and associated species, habit data, relevant 
studies, and historic list information. Providing ratings without 
supporting documentation or information is not recommended. All 
submitted comments and information will be compiled and sent to the NP 
for their review and consideration.
    Detailed information on the update process, protocol, and technical 
issues can be found in the following documents, which are available on 
the ``References/Resources'' web page:
     Lichvar, Robert W. and Paul Minkin. Concepts and 
Procedures for Updating the National Wetland Plant List. 2008. ERDC/
CRREL TN-08-3. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development 
Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.
     Lichvar, Robert W. and Jennifer J. Gillrich. Final 
Protocol for Assigning Wetland Indicator Status Ratings during National 
Wetland Plant List Update. 2011. ERDC/CRREL TN-11-1. Hanover, NH: U.S. 
Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research 
and Engineering Laboratory.
     Lichvar Robert W., Norman C. Melvin, Mary L. Butterwick, 
and William N. Kirchner. 2012. National Wetland Plant List Indicator 
Rating Definitions. ERDC/CRREL TN-12-1. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer 
Research and Development, Center Cold Regions Research and Engineering 
Laboratory.
     Whitecloud, Simone W., Philley, Kevin D., Minkin, J. Paul, 
Antrim, Anna K., Lichtner, Franz J., Wuerslin, Nicole A., Barker, 
Natalie. D., Gong, Ping., Campellone, Estrella F., Gordon, Kyle B., and 
Wilson, Matthew S. (2024). Assessing the validity and accuracy of 
Wetland Indicator Status Ratings for eight species in Alaska 
subregions. ERDC TR- 24-26. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research 
and Development Center.

Future Actions

    Submissions throughout the review period will be compiled and 
reviewed prior to each NWPL update and any resulting proposed changes 
will be reflected in the subsequent notice of an updated list. Future 
updates to the NWPL will occur on a to be determined schedule. A change 
in indicator status for a given species, or a proposed species addition 
may be requested at any time at https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/ under ``Submit NWPL Change Request.''

Stephen L. Hill,
Director, Operations and Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2025-01798 Filed 1-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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