Some wetlands appear to be totally dry, while some areas with standing water are not wetlands.
Wetlands can suddenly come into being and just as suddenly disappear.
For example, property that was clearly upland can suddenly become wetland because of development and changing drainage patterns on that land or on an adjacent site. As a result of this inherent ambiguity as well as the penalties and potential liabilities for failing to recognize the presence of a regulated wetland, issues of wetland delineation and management can often determine the ultimate success or failure of a project. To reduce the likelihood of a project being derailed by the unexpected discovery of a wetland, it helps to understand the wetland delineation and management process and the role of the qualified ecologist on the site development team. The determination and delineation of wetlands on a site, prior to a final purchase agreement, can have a significant impact on the ultimate price as well as on the overall feasibility of the proposed project. An experienced ecologist, along with other members of the site development team, can help to answer these and many other important questions.