Description:

Course attendees will be introduced to the methods used to delineate wetlands using the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and updated regional supplements.  This course combines 1½ days of classroom lecture with a ½ day field exercise to give attendees the knowledge and basic experience they will need to properly delineate wetlands.

In the classroom, attendees will learn how to classify wetlands, identify the key criteria associated with wetlands (hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetland hydrology), and how these criteria are used to define the wetland boundaries.  This course will also cover relevant sections of the Clean Water Act as well as State and local regulations. 

The day of field exercises provides attendees with real-world experience applying the concepts discussed in the classroom. The field site will focus on the 1987 Manual and appropriate regional supplements. There will be opportunities for attendees to complete several data points using the new regional supplement data forms. Attendees will use the 1987 to compare and highlight any changes in analysis and also learn methods to present to the Corps if a site meets the Regional Supplement wetland criteria, but not the 1987 Manual criteria.

This combination of classroom lecture, field demonstration, and participation exercises gives attendees the knowledge and basic experience they will need to follow the delineation methods as outlined in the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual. 

Please bring a laptop computer, a Munsell Soil Color Chart, and a spade. 

"The level of detail was appropriate, very informative and thorough." L. Frolich, March 2013

“Jim is very knowledgeable and comes with a lot of experience.  He was friendly and open to questions and discussion.  He gave a lot of anecdotes from his work as a consultant – it was good to have a consultant instruct the class.” C. Holmes, June 2013

*Reduced tuition is available for Native American tribes, government employees, nonprofits, students and AFS, NAEP, NEBC, TAEP members.

You may register online or by calling the Northwest Environmental Training Center at (425) 270-3274. Online registration is strongly encouraged.

Please wait to receive a course confirmation email, roughly one month prior to the class, before making any travel arrangements.

Intended Audience:

This is a great training course needed by anyone who intends to delineate, restore, or work with wetlands. This workshop is intended for environmental professionals new to the field, and also for the wetland manager with limited experience and the experienced wetland manager seeking refresher re-training.

Continuing Education Units: 1.50 CEUs

More Information

Course Topics

• Introduction to Wetlands
• Clean Water Act and other regulations
• Wetland Classification
• Wetland Delineation Methods
• 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual
• Regional Supplement
• Wetland Field Data Forms
• Wetland Indicators
• Hydrophytic Vegetation
• Wetland Hydrology
• Hydric Soils
• Wetland Jurisdiction
• Field Exercise

About the Instructor

James Carsner

Jim Carsner is a graduate of the University of Washington, College of Fisheries and certified Professional Wetland Scientist with over 30 years of diverse professional experience in environmental consulting throughout the Northwest. His work has involved projects throughout Oregon and Washington and in Idaho, California, and Montana. Jim has served on the Board of Directors for the Washington State Weed Association and instructed courses on FIFRA for the National Recreation and Parks Maintenance Management School and Montana Department of Agriculture with emphasis on Aquatic Plant Management.  

Jim has extensive experience in aquatic management practices and permitting including chemical and non-chemical approaches. He’s experienced in wetland and stream delineations, project planning and design, and mitigation and restoration planning. His extensive experience also includes design, permitting, regulatory coordination, and construction and mitigation monitoring.

What to Bring

Munsell Soil Color Chart, Spade, and a laptop computer. Please also bring a pen or pencil and paper to take notes if you do not want to take notes in your manual. Drinks and snacks will be provided each day. Lunch will be on your own during the classroom day and a box lunch will be provided on the field day.

Billing Information

In order to guarantee a space in a course, the tuition must be paid in full TWO WEEKS before the first day of the course by either check or credit card. State and government agencies paying with a purchase order are allowed payment under the two-week time frame if a copy of the purchase order is received by NWETC.

If You Need to Cancel

Cancellations*

• With 31 or more days notice, we will offer a 100% refund or credit towards a future course. The credit is good for one year and may be applied to any course.
• With 30-8 days notice, we will offer a course credit towards a future course. The credit is good for one year and may be applied to any course.
• With fewer than 8 days notice, there is no course credit available

*Please note that attendee replacement is welcome at any time

Disability Accommodations

Disability Accommodations:

To request disability accommodations, please contact us at info@nwetc.org or 425-270-3274 at least 30 days prior to the event.