20061334 Ver 2_NC WAM Assessment_20080319

2-00663--4 V.2
NC WAM FIELD ASSESSMENT FORM
VERSION 3.13 (January 12, 2007)
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Wetland Site Nam c Date C -
Wetland Type Assessor Name/Organization
Level III Ecoregion Nearest Named Water Body
River Basin USGS 8-Digit Catalogue Unit
? Yes 11-No Precipitation within 48 hrs? Latitude/Longitude (deci-degrees)
Evidence of stressors affecting the assessment area (may not be within the assessment area)
Please circle and/or make note below if evidence of stressors is apparent. Consider departure from reference, if appropriate, in recent past
(for instance, within 10 years). Noteworthy stressors include, but are not limited to the following.
• Hydrological modifications (examples: ditches, dams, beaver dams, dikes, berms, ponds, etc.)
• Surface and sub-surfaoe discharges into the wetland (examples: discharges containing obvious pollutants, presence of nearby
septic tanks, underground storage tanks (USTs), hog lagoons, etc.)
• Signs of vegetation stress (examples: vegetation mortality, insect damage, disease, storm damage, salt intrusion, etc.)
• Habitat/plant community alteration (examples: mowing, clear-cutting, exotics, etc.)
Is the assessment area intensively managed? ? Yes ?fNo
De cribe effects o tressors Vhat are p sent.
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Regulatory Considerations
Select all that apply to the assessment area.
? Anadromous fish
? Federally protected species or State endangered or threatened species
? NCDWQ riparian buffer rule in effect
? Wetland adjacent to or associated stream drains to a Primary Nursery Area
? Publicly owned property
? N.C. Division of Coastal Management Area of Environmental Concern (AEC) (including buffer)
? N.C. Division of Water Quaky best usage classification of SA or supplemental classifications of HQW, ORW, or Trout
? Designated NCNHP reference community
What type of natural stream is associated with the wetland, if any? (Check all that apply)
? Blackwater
? Brownwater
? Tidal (if tidal, check one of the following boxes) ? Lunar ? Wind ? Both
Is the assessment area on a coastal island? ? Yes ? No
Is the assessment area's surface water storage capacity, or duration substantially altered by beaver? ? Yes M'No

1. Ground Surface Condition/Vegetation Condition - assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider alteration to the ground surface (GS) in the assessment area and vegetation structure (VS) in
the assessment area. Compare to reference wetland if applicable (see User Manual v1.0). If a reference is not applicable, then rate the
assessment area based on evidence of alteration,
GS VS
E31( ?A Not severely altered
?B EO Severely altered over most of the assessment area (ground surface alteration examples: vehicle tracks, excessive
( ?_qkA sedimentation, fire-plow lanes, skidder tracks, bedding, fill, soil compaction, obvious pollutants) (vegetation structure
alteration examples: mechanical disturbance, herbicides, salt intrusion [where appropriate], exotic species, grazing,
less diversity [if appropriate], artificial hydrologic alteration)
2. Surface and Sub-Surface Storape Capacity and Duration - assessment area condition metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface storage capacity and duration (Surf) and sub-surface storage capacity and duration
(Sub). Consider both increase and decrease in hydrology. Refer to the NRCS Scope and Effect Guide (see User Manual 0.0 Appendix
G) for North Carolina hydric soils for the zone of influence of ditches in hydric soils. A ditch 5 1 foot deep is considered to affect surface
water only, while a ditch > 1 foot deep is expected to affect both surface and sub-surface water. Consider tidal flooding regime, if
applicable.
Surf Sub
QA E?K Water storage capacity and duration are not altered.
?B ?B Water storage capacity or?duration are altered, but not substantially (typically, not sufficient to change vegetation).
?C ?C Water storage capacity or4uration are substantially altered (typically, alteration sufficient to result in vegetation
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change) (examples: intensive ditching, fill, sedimentation, channelization, diversion, man-ma
dams, stream incision seWdr lines, soil compaction). : L ' c?tkZ
3 Water Storage/Surface Relief - assessmeni realwetland type condition metric
Check a box in each column. Select the ap ,topriate storage for the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT) ,
AA WT .
..,?A ?A > 50% of the wetland type depressions able to pgpd water > 2 feet
e
?B ?B depressions able Qohd water 1 to 2 feet a
> 50% of the wetland typ
- ; ?,?C ?C
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` > 50% of wetland type withxdepressions able to pond water 6 inches to 1 foot
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?, ater 3-: to 6-inches deep
> 50% of wetland type iitY?3pressions able to pond
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k? ;fit ?E CIE ter < 3-inches deep ice, z. r ??
Depressions able tos"'

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4. ffioil Texture/Structure - assessment area condition metric r
9Select all that apply. Dig soil profile in the dominant assessment area landscape feature. Make soil observations within the top foot.
Miational Technical Committee for Hydric Soils regional indicators are noted (use most recent guidance).
FIA Sandy soil
OB Predominantly characterized by mottled (redoxymorphic features), mineral soil (F6, F8, F12, TF10, S5, S6)
F]C Pkedominantly characterized by other, mineral soil (no mottling)
DD Gleyed mineral soil (F2, S4)
E]E Soil ribbon < 1 inch
MF Soil ribbon 2 1 inch
[QG No peat or muck presence
OH A peat or muck presence (A6, A7, A8, A9, A10, F1, S1)
C3I Pleat or muck soil (histosol or histic epipedon) (Al, A2, A3)
5. d3ascharge into Wetland - opportunity metric
Check a box in each column. Consider surface pollutants or discharges (Surf) and sub-surface pollutants or discharges (Sub).
Examples of sub-surface discharges include presence of nearby septic tank, underground storage tank (UST), etc.
scarf Sub
F]A ?A Little or no evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the assessment area
E98- EDO Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges entering the wetland and stressing, but not overwhelming the L
treatment capacity of the assessment area
E IC ?C Noticeable evidence of pollutants or discharges (pathogen, particulate, or soluble) entering the assessment area and
potentially overwhelming the treatment capacity of the wetland (water discoloration, dead vegetation, excessive
sedimentation)
6. Laand Use - opportunity metric <??
Clheck all that apply. Evaluation o this metric involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. Consider sources draining to assessment area
wvithin entire upstream watershed (WS), within 5 miles and within the watershed draining to the assessment area (5M), and within 2 miles
awed within the watershed draining to the assessment area (2M). Effective riparian buffers are considered to be 50 feet wide in the Coastal
Ptlain and Piedmont and 30 feet wide in the Mountains.
vas 5M 2M
CIA ?A ?A > 30% impervious surfaces with stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) (land use examples:
industrial, commercial, and high-density residential)
Ede ?B ?B > 30% impervious surfaces without storrnwater BMPs
E3C ?C ?C 10 to 30% impervious surfaces
01) ?D ?D < 10% impervious surfaces
CIE ?E ?E Old urban development (pink areas on USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles)
OF ?F ?F New adjacent development
FG ?G ?G Confined animal operations (or other local, concentrated source of pollutants)
OH ?H ?H z 20% coverage of pasture without riparian buffer
01 ?1 ?I z 20% coverage of pasture with effective riparian buffer
0i ?i ?J z 20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) without riparian buffer
OK ?K ?K 2 20% coverage of agricultural land (regularly plowed land) with effective riparian buffer
®L ?L ?L 2 20% coverage of maintained grass/herb
OM ?M ?M Silvicultural land with disturbance < 5 years old
EIN ?N ?N Little or no opportunity. Lack of opportunity may result from hydrologic modifications that prevent drainage or
overbank flow from affecting the assessment area.
7. Wiletland Acting as Vegetated Buffer - assessment area condition metric s rYx C-I
Is, the assessment area within 50 feet of a stream or other open water? ("open water" does not include man-made ditches or canals)
?Yes ?No If No, skip to next metric.
Sbream width (Stream width is normal flow width [ordinary high water to ordinary high water]). If the stream is anastomosed, combine
widths of channels/braids for a total stream width.
?5 15-feet wide ?> 15-feet wide ?Not Applicable
Diu roots of assessment area vegetation extend into the bank of the adjacent stream/open water?
?Yes ?No
Wstream or other open water sheltered or exposed?
?Sheltered - adjacent open water with width < 2500 feet and no regular boat traffic.
.? ?Exposed - adjacent open water with width 2 2500 feet or regular boat traffic.
8.
~land/Riparian Buffer Width - assessment area/wetland typetwetland complex metric
Cftwck a box in each column. Select the appropriate width for the wetland type at the assessment area (WT), the wetland complex
(littllC), and the riparian buffer at the assessment area (RB) (if applicable). Riparian buffer width is measured from top of bank and need
on* be present on one side of the water body. The riparian buffer is measured from the outside banks of the outer channels of an
amastomosed system. Make buffer judgment based on dominant landscape feature. Record a note if a portion of the buffer has been
removed or disturbed.
VttYFF WC RB (if applicable)
EIA ?A ?A k 100 feet
0113 ?S ?B From 80 to < 100 feet
EJ#C ?C ?C From 50 to < 80 feet
E110 ?D ?D From 40 to < 50 feet
EINE ?E ?E From 30 to < 40 feet „p
EW ?F ?F From 15 to < 30 feet
EWG ?G ?G From 5 to < 15 feet
111H ?H ?H < 5 feet
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9. Inundation Duration - assessment area condition metric
Answer for assessment area dominant landform.
[DA, Evidence of short-duration inundation (< 7 consecutive days)
t? ?B Evidence of saturation, without evidence of inundation
'. / ?C Evidence of long-duration inundation (7 to 30 consecutive days or more)
10. Inchcators of Deposition - assessment area condition metric
Comider recent deposition only (no plant growth since deposition).
E3A Sediment deposition is not excessive, but at approximately natuiral levels.
?B Sediment deposition is excessive, but not overwhelming the weftland.
?G Sediment deposition is excessive and is overwhelming the wetland.
11. Wetland Size - wetland type/wetland complex condition metric
Check a box in each column. Involves a GIS effort with field adjustment. This metric evaluates three aspects of the wetland area: the
size of the wetland type (WT), the size of the contiguous wetland complex (WC), and the size of the contiguous, forested wetland (FW) (if
appicable, see User Manual). Boundaries are formed by uplands, four-lane roads, or urban landscapes. An observed beaver pond forms
a boundary if it extends across the entire width of the floodplain. Additionally, other wetland types are considered boundaries for column
WT_ If assessment area is clear-cut, select "K" for FW column.
WT WC FW (if applicable)
?A ?A ?A 2 500 acres
?B ?B ?B From 100 to < 500 acres
?G ?C ?C From 50 to < 100 acres
?D ?D ?D From 25 to < 50 acres
?E ?E ?E From 10 to < 25 acres
?F ?F ?F From 5 to < 10 acres
?G ?G ?G From 1 to < 5 acres
?H OH ?H From 0.5 to < 1 acre
?I ?I ?I From 0.1 to < 0.5 acre
?J ?J ?J From 0.01 to < 0.1 acre
?K ?K ?K < 0.01 acre
12. Wetland Intactness - wetland type condition metric (evaluate for Qrioosn?5only)
?A Wetland type is the full extent (t 90%) of its natural landscape size
?B Wetland type is < 90% of the full extent of its natural landscape size.
13. Connectivity to Other Natural Areas - landscape condition metric
Check appropriate box(es). This metric refers to the landscape patch, the contiguous naturally vegetated area and open water (if
appropriate) that includes the wetland type. Boundaries are formed by four-lane roads, urban landscapes, maintained fields (pasture and
agriculture), or open water > 300 feet wide. Consider if the wetland type is well-connected (WC) or loosely-connected (LC) to the
landscape patch.
WC LC
?A ?A 2 500 acres
?B ?B From 100 to < 500 acres
?C ?C From 50 to < 100 acres
?D ?D - From 10 to < 50 acres
?E ?E < 10 acres
?F ?F Wetland type has a poor or no connection to other natural habitats
Check Yes or No.
?Yes ?No Does wetland type have a surface hydrology connection to open waters or tidal wetlands? (evaluate for marshes only)
?Yes ?No Is the assessment area subject to overbank flooding during normal conditions?
14. Edge Effect - wetland type condition metric
Estimate distance from wetland type boundary to artificial edges. Artificial edges include permanent features such as fields, development,
two-lane or larger roads (2 40-feet wide), utility line corridors wider than a two-lane road, and clear-cuts < 10 years old. Consider the eight
main points of the compass.
?A No artificial edge within 150 feet in all directions
?B No artificial edge within 150 feet in four to seven directions
?C An artificial edge occurs within 150 feet in more than four directions or assessment area is dear-cut
15. Vegetative Composition -assessment area condition metric (skip for marshes and Pine Flat)
?A Vegetation is dose to reference condition in species present and their proportions. Lower strata composed of appropriate
species, with exotic plants absent or sparse within the assessment area.
Vegetation is different from reference condition im'Species diversity or proportions, but still largely composed of native species
characteristic of the wetland type. This may include communities of weedy native species that develop after clearcutting orG
clearing. It also includes communities with exotics present, but not dominant, over a large portion of the expected strata.
Vegetation severely altered from reference in composition. Expected strata are unnaturally absent or dominated by exotic
species or composed of planted stands of non-characteristic species or inappropriately composed of a single species.
16. Vegetative Diversity - assessment area condition metric'
ll:r::. ?A Vegetation diversity is high and is composed primai
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?B Vegetation diversity is low or has > 10% cover of ear
?C Vegetation is dominated by exotic species.
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luate for Non-tidal Freshwater Marsh only)
f native species.
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17. Vegetative Structure - assessment area/wetland type condition metric
? Vegetation present
Evaluate percent coverage of vegetation for marshes only
?A z 25% coverage of vegetation
?B < 25% coverage of vegetation
Check a box in each column for each stratum. Evaluate this portion of the metric for non-marsh wetlands. Consider
SStructureinairspace above the assessment area (AA) and the wetland type (WT) separately.
?A ?A Canopy closed, or nearly closed, with natural gaps associated with natural processes
?B ?B Canopy present, but opened more than natural gaps
)GI [JC- 8C Canopy sparse or absent C1
(J ?A ?A Dense mid-story/sapling layer
?B ?B Moderate density mid-story/sapling layer
(5? Cie" CC Mid-story/sapl6ng layer sparse or absent
?A ?A Dense shrub layer yy??
?B ?B Moderate density shrub layer T` I
QJC pC7 Shrub layer sparse or absent
Egik- E31< Dense herb layer r
?B ?B Moderate density herb layer !p L
i ?C ?C Herb layer sparse or absent
? Vegetation absent
18. Snags - wetland type condition metric
EIA
[I' Note snags (more than one) are present (> 12-inches DBH, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
19. Diameter Class Distribution - wetland type condition metric
?A Most canopy trees have sterns > 6-inches in diameter at breast height (DBH); many large trees (> 12-inches DBH) are
present.
?B Most canopy trees have stems between 6- and 12-inches DBH, few are > 12-inch DBH.
? Most canopy trees are < 6-inches DBH or no trees.
20. Large Woody Debris - wetland type condition metric
Include both man-made and natural debris piles.
j? EK Large logs (more than one) are present (> 12-inches in diameter, or large relative to species present and landscape stability).
V ?B NotA
21. Vegetation/Open Water Dispersion - wetland type/open water condition metric (evaluate for Non-Tidal Freshwater Marsh only)
Select the figure that best describes the amount of interspersion between vegetation and open water in the growing season. Patterned
areas indicate vegetated areas, while solid white areas indicate open water.
?A ?B ?C ?D
22. Habitat Uniqueness - wetland type condition metric
00 ?Yes Eto Has the N.C. Environmental Management Commission classified the assessment area as "Unique Wetlands" (UWL)?
Notes