WRP/WRTC 1994 Activities

Corps wetland research continues under new guidelines

The program will be featured during the National Interagency Workshop on Wetlands under the motto "Technology Advances for Wetland Science." Corps wetland research will continue under the WRTC as an annually funded program, currently within the Environmental Impacts Research Program.

High profile wetland projects progressing

Here is an update on ongoing and developing projects pertaining to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wetlands work.

• Wetland Characterization.
  The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Committee on Wetlands Characterization has requested, and received, an additional time extension from EPA for the completion of their report. The report is now scheduled to be completed by March 31, 1995.

• Wetland Delineation Certification.
  Proposed regulations for the Corps Wetland Delineation Certification Program are expected to be published in the Federal Register to initiate a 30 day comment period during the winter of 1995. Copies will be available from the Regulatory Branches of all Corps Districts, Divisions, and Headquarters, in addition to the EPA Wetlands Hotline at 1-800-832-7828. Comments and questions should be directed to Ms. Karen Kochenbach or Mr. Sam Collinson of Office of the Chief of Engineers, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ATTN: CECW-OR, 20 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000, (202) 272-0199.

• Hydrogeomorphic Assessment.
  The Corps, in cooperation with the EPA, NRCS (formerly the SCS), FWS, and the FHWA, is developing an interagency implementation plan for the Corps new wetland assessment procedure, the Hydrogeomorphic Classification Method, commonly referred to as HGM. The implementation of this plan will be an interagency, nationwide effort and will complement ongoing HGM work through the Corps Wetlands Research Program.

WRTC training marks successful year, continues growth

In FY 94, under the sponsorship of Headquarters, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction the U.S. Army Engineer Huntsville Training Division, the Wetlands Research and Technology Center conducted wetland training for 750 Corps, Department of Defense (U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army National Guard Bureau), and other federal agency personnel. During FY 95, approximately 32 full weeks of wetland training will be conducted for 800 personnel, covering wetland identification, -delineation, -function and -values, -evaluation methods, -fundamentals, -executive, -development, and -restoration. Proposed new WRTC wetland courses offered for survey of student training needs in FY 95, and to be conducted in FY 96, include the new constructed wetland and the wetland soils courses. Only U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Defense personnel are eligible to attend.

Course descriptions, locations, dates, and points of contact:

• Wetland Development and Restoration.
  Provides introductory training in the concepts and practices of wetlands restoration and development in both inland (freshwater) and coastal areas. The course is directed towards biologists and engineers concerned with wetlands and seagrass development on dredged material, restoration of disturbed wetlands and seagrass beds, and techniques for reducing engineering impacts. Practical, hands-on field application of state-of-the-art techniques is emphasized. Session locations and dates:
  Apalachicola, FL, April 15-19, 1996
  Tiburon, CA, May 6-10, 1996
  Duck, NC, June 3-7, 1996
  St. Louis, MI (Alton, IL), June 17-21, 1996
  St. Louis, MI (Alton, IL), June 24-28, 1996
  Huntsville Division Point of Contact: Mrs. Ezella Casey, (205) 722-5830.

• Wetlands Executive.
  The Corps has a goal, set by law, to achieve no net loss of wetlands and ultimately increase the amount of the nation's wetlands. This course provides Corps executives (senior leadership, managers, supervisors) with insight into the national and federal interagency aspects of wetlands. Policy, current issues, developing initiatives, and a field overview of the scientific/technical aspects of wetlands are included. Session locations and dates:
  Washington, DC (Vicinity), May 29-30, 1996
  Olympia, WA, July 31-August 1, 1996
  Huntsville Division Point of Contact: Mr. John Buckley (205) 722-5898

• Fundamentals of Wetlands.
  Provides students with an overview of the state-of-the-art knowledge of wetland flora and fauna, hydrology, soils, and ecology. Course emphasizes wetlands functions and values in an ecosystem perspective. Both saltwater and freshwater wetlands will be addressed. Provides an introduction and overview of basic wetland concepts and principles in the context of planning and operating Civil Works Environmental restoration and mitigation projects. In addition to providing a basic overview, the course may also serve to update students in the current wetlands science and ecology of the 1990's. Session locations and dates:
  Apalachicola, FL, March 4-8, 1996
  Olympia, WA, August 5-9, 1996
  Huntsville Division Point of Contact: Mr. John Buckley (205) 722-5898

• Wetland Evaluation Methods.
  Provides an in-depth introduction and overview of existing wetland evaluation procedures and case study application to wetland systems for environmental impact assessment and evaluation purposes. Methods to identify and evaluate the functions of wetlands and their corresponding values to the ecosystem and society will be discussed. The requirements for wetlands evaluation and justification during project planning, operations, and the natural resources management phases of the civil works program will be stressed. Session locations and dates:
  Apalachicola, FL, February 19-23, 1996
  Olympia, WA, August 19-23, 1996
  Huntsville Division Point of Contact: Mr. John Buckley (205) 722-5898

• Constructed Wetlands (New Course).
  Provides state-of-the-art technical knowledge on how to construct wetlands from planning, design, engineering, construction, operations and maintenance, and monitoring viewpoints for civil works projects. Session location and date:
  San Francisco, CA, July 15-19, 1996
  Huntsville Division Point of Contact: Mr. John Buckley (205) 722-5898

• Wetland Soils (New Course).
  Provides an overview and introduction on wetland soils including hydric soils. Taxonomy, systematics, identification, and classification are included. Field collection, identification, and analysis are stressed. A strong engineering properties of wetland soils is included. Session locations and dates:
  San Francisco, CA, July 15-19, 1996
  Mobile, AL, April 22-26, 1996
  Huntsville Division Point of Contact: Mr. John Buckley (205) 722-5898

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