However simple these statements may appear, they are subject to interpretation. The term replacement is also problematic. Following the first year of data collection in FY 1996, data reporting guidance was issued to clarify our request for information by answering these questions. The guidance removed uncertainty surrounding the type of wetland impacts and mitigation to be reported as acreage data. Verification and Validation Follow-up phone contacts are occasionally used to verify reported acreage which appears to be abnormally high or low.
Informal guidance is provided to individuals to further clarify data collection and reporting.
Also, FHWA has developed a wetlands mitigation accounting database, System for Wetlands Accounting and Management Program, for recording and analyzing wetland mitigation data. This database program will provide State DOTs with a simple platform of accounting for wetland losses and gains in their mitigation programs. It will facilitate the compiling and reporting of mitigation replacement data that is supplied to FHWA each fiscal year.