What is a Wetland
The word wetland means different things to different people. For wetland regulation purposes, inventory maps and personal opinion are not definitive for where wetlands exist. The 1995 Amendments to the Wetland Conservation Act of 1991 (WCA) mandate use of the 1987 Corps of Engineers Wetland Delination Manual (1987 Manual).
Ultimately, wetlands are identified by areas that meet wetland criteria set within the 1987 Manual. The 1987 Manual uses a three parameter approach which includes Vegetation, Soils, and Hydrology. Each parameter has set criteria that must be met for an area to be wetland. When the criteria for all three parameters are met in an undisturbed site, the area is a jurisdictional wetland.
Undisturbed lands without all three parameters met are non-wetlands. Use of this manual and the three parameter approach allows for a consistent, accurate, and reproducible wetland determination that can be made throughout the entire growing season.
Wetland Types
There are several different types of wetlands. The following photos are some common wetland types in Anoka County often mistaken as non-wetland. It cannot be emphasized enough that qualified wetland delineator should be contacted prior to any work being done to verify if jurisdictional wetlands exist according to the 1987 Manual.
