Wetland Identification Training: Ensuring Sound Wetland Determination Decisions.

GREENVILLE N.C. - Employees from multiple states of USDA's Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) met in Greenville April 20 -24, to complete a training on wetland identification field methods. The course is designed to prepare agency staff with the skills needed to successfully identify and delineate wetlands within current NRCS policy for the identification of wetlands for Food Security Act (FSA) purposes.

This course was presented in a 40/60 classroom/field format. The students completed the course by attending both the classroom and field sessions presented by agency experts in the identification of wetlands for FSA purposes. Students were exposed to wetland delineation challenges common to lands associated with agricultural operations. After completing the course, students satisfy part of the mandatory training requirement in the NRCS National Food Security Act Manual (NFSAM) for individuals seeking approval to conduct certified wetland determinations.

What is a certified wetland determination?

A certified wetland determination indicates areas subject to wetland conservation provisions, and if present, identifies the location of each. The determination stays in effect as long as the land is used for agricultural purposes or until the producer requests a review citing an error or following a natural event that altered the hydrology of the site.

Agricultural producers may request a wetland determination that locates and certifies the existence of wetlands subject to the 1985 Food Security Act on their land. A new activity that improves or creates drainage, land levels, fills, clears land, or conducts excavation will prompt an update to Form AD-1026 ("Highly Erodible Land Conservation (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) Certification. On the producer's behalf, The Farm Service Agency will seek technical assistance from the NRCS to identify wetlands subject to the conservation provisions. NRCS, through field inspection or by using a variety of remote technical resources, develops a preliminary technical determination for the producer's review. The producer may appeal for a reconsideration of the preliminary technical determination and provide additional information at the field review before it becomes final.

The Food Security Act's wetland conservation provisions

Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions were enacted to assist in protecting the values, acreage, and functions of the Nation's wetlands. These provisions apply to all lands considered wetlands and are owned or farmed by people voluntarily participating in USDA programs. In general, producers may farm these areas when conditions permit but may not convert the wetland through draining, filling low spots, or clearing woody vegetation. Producers also cannot plant an agricultural commodity on a wetland previously converted by someone else.

"The Phase 2 training provided a learning opportunity for staff to get classroom and hands-on field instruction. This will equip NRCS staff with the critical skills needed to accurately identify and delineate wetlands and ensures determinations are aligned with the Food Security Act. With their newfound skills, these employees will be able to provide a much-needed service to their states", said James Lewis, NC-NRCS State Soil Scientist.

With their newfound skills, these students will be able to provide a much-needed service to their states as they work together with producers in ensuring that they are in compliance with the wetland conservation provisions.

For 90 years, NRCS has helped farmers, ranchers and forestland owners make investments in their operations and local communities to improve the quality of our air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat. For more information, visit nrcs.usda.gov.

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