Water: Planning
Resources & PerformancePlanningDefinitions/Contacts for FY 2011 National Water Program Guidance Measures- Subobjective: Increase WetlandsDefinitions/Contacts for FY 2011 National Water Program Guidance Measures- Subobjective: Increase Wetlands
Measure Code: SP-21
Measure Language: Working with partners, achieve a net increase of acres of wetlands per year with additional focus on biological and functional measures and assessment of wetland condition.
Type of Measure: Target measure; Cumulatively reported
Measure Contact: Jim Pendergast, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
pendergast.jim@epa.gov | (202) 566-0398
Measure Definition
Terms and phrases:
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Wetland Status and Trends Report is produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and reports the quantity and type of wetlands in the conterminous
- A probability sample isany method of sampling that utilizes some form of random selection to produce statistically-valid estimates of a population within a know level of error.
Methodology for computation of results: The National Status and Trends Report is developed and published every five years by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This is the only federal study that provides statistically valid estimates with a published standard error for all wetlands in the conterminous
The study is based on a scientific probability sample of the surface area of the 48 coterminous States. The study uses a stratified, simple random sampling design. Geographic information system software is used to organize the information of about 4,700 random sample plots. For each plot, aerial imagery is interpreted and annotated in accordance with procedures published by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The results are compared with previous era imagery, and any changes recorded. The differences between the data sets are analyzed and a statistical estimate of the change is produced. The last Wetland Status and Trends report (2005) provided the most recent and comprehensive estimates of the current gains and losses for different types of wetlands in the
Units: Acres per year
Universe: n/a
Baseline:32,000 acres (Results are from the 2005 Wetland Status and Trends report)
Measure Code: SP-22
Measure Language: In partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, states, and tribes, achieve "no net loss" of wetlands each year under the Clean Water Act Section 404 regulatory program
Type of Measure: Target measure; Annually reported
Measure Contact: Jim Pendergast, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
pendergast.jim@epa.gov | (202) 566-0398
Measure Definition
Terms and phrases: TheClean Water Action Section 404 Regulatory Program was established as a regulatory program for the disposal of dredged or fill materials in the waters and wetlands of the
Methodology for computation of results: Since 1989, the goal of the Clean Water Act Section 404 program has been no net loss of wetlands. Historically, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has collected limited data on wetlands losses and gains in its Regulatory Analysis and Management System (RAMS) permit tracking database. The EPA and the Corps have acknowledged the need for improved 404 tracking. Between 2003-2007, the Corps, with assistance from EPA, developed a new nationally standardized permit tracking database called ORM2 (Operation and maintenance business information link, Regulatory Module) to replace its existing database (RAMS). By 2008, ORM2 was deployed in all of the Corps' 38 districts.
ORM2 is designed to provide improved tracking regarding: type of impacts (i.e., work type); type, quantity and location of aquatic resources impacted; type, quantity and location of aquatic resource mitigation; type and quantity of mitigation by method (i.e., restoration, creation, enhancement, or preservation) or number of credits purchased at mitigation bank or in-lieu fee mitigation program.
EPA will track and report on this measure each fiscal year by comparing the total acres of wetland impacts to the total acres or credits of compensatory mitigation. Mitigation may occur as one of three types: 1) acre for acre replacement; 2) functional replacement; 3) use of a mitigation bank or in-lieu fee program. Beginning with the FY 2009 data, reporting on this measure will proceed as follows: we will have data at mid-year for the preceding fiscal year, i.e., results for FY 2009 in Spring of FY 2010. The Corps begins compiling the data after the close of the fiscal year.
Units: Wetland acres
Universe: n/a
Baseline: n/a
Measure Code: WT- 1
Measure Language: Number of acres restored and improved, under the 5-Star, NEP, 319, and great waterbody programs (cumulative).
Type of Measure: Target measure; Cumulatively reported
Measure Contact: Jim Pendergast, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
pendergast.jim@epa.gov | (202) 566-0398
Measure Definition
Terms and phrases: This measure tracks wetland acres restored, enhanced, and protected through EPA programs.
Methodology for computation of results: These acres may include those supported by the Wetland Five Star Restoration Grants, the National Estuary Program, Section 319 Nonpoint Source (NPS) Grants, Brownfield grants, or EPA's Great Waterbody Programs. This does not include enforcement or mitigation acres. This measure is shared with other offices including: EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds Divisions, EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) Brownfields Office, EPA Gulf of Mexico Program Office, EPA Great Lakes National Program Office, and the Chesapeake Bay Program Office. Results are reported at a national level and are cumulative.
Units: Acres of wetlands restored and improved
Universe: Infinite (n/a)
Baseline: In FY 2006, EPA reported that 58,777 acres of wetland were restored and improved through the Five Star Restoration Grants, the National Estuary Program, Section 319 Nonpoint Source Grants, Brownfield Grants, and EPA Great Waterbody Programs.
Measure Code: WT-2 (a,b)
Measure Language:
(WT-2a): Number of states/tribes that have substantially built or increased capacity in wetland regulation, monitoring and assessment, water quality standards, and/or restoration and protection.
(WT-2b): Number of core elements (regulation, monitoring and assessment, water quality standards, or restoration and protection) developed and implemented by (number) of States/Tribes.
Type of Measure: Indicator measures; Annually reported
Measure Contact: Jim Pendergast, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
pendergast.jim@epa.gov | (202) 566-0398
Measure Definition
WT-2a: Regions will work with states/tribes (S/T) to identify wetland program goals and assist them in the development and improvement of program capacity in one or more core wetland program area (Core Elements or CE's): regulation, monitoring and assessment, water quality standards, and/or restoration and protection.
The Regions will verify and report annually on the substantial progress states/tribes have made toward developing or improving these CE's. Substantially built or increased capacity will be measured by looking at the Core Elements Framework tables which can be found at: http://www.water.epa.gov/type/wetlands/estp.cfm. Substantially built or increased capacity is defined as completing two or more of the actions found in these tables. All the regions have agreed to these measures.
The Universe for this measure is: [(# S) and (#T)] Regions will track and report on yearly efforts of States and Tribes in their Region; it is expected that this number will vary from year to year as it is not cumulative.
Headquarters is creating a template for ACS that will allow HQ to insert which state/tribe has undertaken capacity/improvement and in which CE area.
WT-2b: Regions will work with states/tribes to identify wetland program goals and assist them in the development and implementation of one or more core wetland program areas (Core Elements): regulation, monitoring and assessment, water quality standards, and/or restoration and protection which are listed in the ESTP Core Elements Framework that can be found at: www.epa.gov/owow/estp/WT2b.
Units: [WT-2a: Number of states]; [WT-2b: Number of tribes]
Universe: [WT-2a: 50 states (see above)]; [WT-2b: 579 tribes]
Baseline: [WT-2a: 0 and will be reset to 0 every year as EPA is measuring efforts in a given calendar year and not measuring cumulative efforts. EPA will look to this PAM to see if nationally states/tribes are continuing to build/improve program capacity from year to year]; [WT-2b: n/a (new measure)].
Measure Code: WT-3
Measure Language: Percent of Clean Water Act Section 404 standard permits, upon which EPA coordinated with the permitting authority (i.e., Corps or State), where a final permit decision in the current fiscal year documents requirements for greater environmental protection* than originally proposed.
Type of Measure: Indicator measure; Annually reported
Measure Contact: Jim Pendergast, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
pendergast.jim@epa.gov | (202) 566-0398
Measure Definition
Terms and phrases:
- ORM 2.0:OMBIL (Operation and maintenance business information link) Regulatory Module. Database used by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer to track permitting activities under the CWA Section 404 regulatory program.
- DARTER:Data and Aquatic Resource Tracking for Effective Regulation. EPA interface for accessing records and commenting on proposed permits in the ORM 2.0 database.
Methodology for computation of results: Data for reporting under this measure is available in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ORM 2.0 Database. EPA Regions should use the EPA interface (DARTER) for ORM 2.0 to access this data.
* For purposes of this measure, "requirements for greater environmental protection" are counted under this measure when EPA can document that its recommendations for improvement provided in one or more of the following issue areas were incorporated into the final permit decision:
- Demonstration of adequate impact avoidance, including:
- Determination of water dependency;
- Characterization of basic project purpose;
- Determination of range of practicable alternatives;
- Evaluation of direct, secondary and cumulative impacts for practicable alternatives;
- Identification of LEDPA (Least Environmentally Damaging Practicable Alternative);
- Compliance with WQS (Water Quality Standards), MPRSA (Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act), ESA (Endangered Species Act) and/or toxic effluent standards;
- Evaluation of potential for significant degradation;
- Demonstration of adequate impact minimization;
- Determination of adequate compensation.
Units: Final permit decisions with documented environmental improvements, as defined above.
Universe: 100% of all final CWA (Clean Water Act) section 404 standard permits in current fiscal where EPA coordinated with the permitting authority year.
Baseline: n/a
Measure Code: WT-4
Measure Language: Number of states measuring baseline wetland condition - with plans to assess trends in wetland condition - as defined through condition indicators and assessments. (cumulative)
Type of Measure: Target measure; Cumulatively reported
Measure Contact: Jim Pendergast, EPA Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
pendergast.jim@epa.gov | (202) 566-0398
Measure Definition
Terms and phrases: 3- Level Wetland Monitoring Approach: EPA has defined three levels of wetland assessment. Level 1 or Landscape Assessment relies on GIS data and aerial photography to infer wetland quality based on surrounding land use. Level 2, also known as Rapid Assessment, relies on relative simple field observations to produce a general assessment of wetland quality during a 2-4 hour field visit. Level 3 or Intensive Site Assessment involves comprehensive monitoring protocols, including the use of biological indicators, ground water wells, and laboratory analyses.
Methodology for computation of results: By 2013, a state will document within an Integrated Water Quality Monitoring Report (IMR) the baseline condition of at least one wetland type for the entire state or all wetlands in one major river basin. States may use either Level 1, 2, or 3 methods or the combined 3-Level approach. Regions need to make a determination and report on whether the state is making progress and "on track" to meeting this measure by FY 2013. Examples of activities indicating the state is "on track" include, but are not limited to:
- building technical and financial capacity to conduct an "intensification study" as part of the 2011 National Wetland Condition Assessment;
- developing or adapting wetland assessment tools for use in the state;
- monitoring activity is underway for wetland type(s)/watershed(s) stated in strategy or goals; and,
- developing a monitoring strategy with one goal of evaluating baseline wetland condition.
Units: Number of states
Universe: 50 states
Baseline: 11 states measuring baseline wetland conditions (FY 2005).