Chesapeake Bay ProgramHabitat Goals Implementation Team

June 26, 2013

NWI Update

Refer to Attachment

•90 Quads in MD; 64 in VA•NWI+; with Capability for Landscape Assessment•Status and Trends in Selected Quads•Ability to Identify Altered Wetlands (e.g. ditches) for Restoration•Est. completion Oct. 2013

NWI has requested feedback and suggestions for attributes associated with functions and accuracy of new maps. Drafts can be provided to those who are interested

NWI Update cont.

Will consideration nominations for 20 more quads in eastern MD and James River watershed in VA

Requests coordinated review for wetland characteristics in database and used in assessment, based on 2 peer-reviewed reports, for Northeast and GA; or

Generate List of Wetland Characteristics Related to Wetland Functions

NWI Update cont.List of wetland characteristics related to wetland functions:

surface water detention nutrient transformation carbon sequestration sediment/other particulate retentioncoastal storm surge detentionstreamflow maintenancebank and shoreline stabilizationprovision of fish and aquatic life habitatprovision of waterbird/waterfowl habitatprovision of other wildlife habitatprovision of habitat for unique, uncommon, or highly

diverse plant communities

Wetland BMP Issues for Discussion•Use protocols already in place under agricultural or urban BMP verification, but must Avoid Duplicate Reporting and Report Separately

•Current protocol from WWG is verify project built as designed, correct structural failures, remediate invasive species.

•Must be Rapid-Verify Predominance of Native Wetland Vegetation, Hydrology, built on Hydric Soil

•Generally No Long-term Monitoring

•Requested CBP Assistance in Developing Checklist

•Unique Identifier System

Wetland Acreage Reporting

Two Different Wetland Goals Tracked through CBP – inconsistent and contradictory numbers reported

Habitat Goal (2011-2025)

30,000 wetland gain through restoration and creation, approx 2000 acres/year

3775 acres reported in 2011, includes BMPsDuplicate and sometimes contradictory reporting

Acreage to support 100,000 Black Ducks150,000 acre gain of enhanced wetlands225,000 acres of protected wetlands

BMP Goal (2000-2025)

Under Review: 75,000 Acre Goal, Subject to Revision under Phase III WIP

Separate Reporting for Habitat-based Wetland Gains vs. Stormwater Management Wetlands

Restoration Permitting IssuesNeed for Timely Completion of Restoration Projects

Need for Complete and Accurate Permit Applications and Compliance with Requirements to Issue Authorizations

Practitioners Have Expressed Frustration with Need for Permits, Information Requirements, and Delays

Regulatory Agencies Have Expressed Frustration at Poor Coordination, Incomplete Applications, and Projects that Fail to Comply with Requirements

Other Issues Concern Resource Tradeoffs, Change in Resource Type, Flooding, Other Mandated Regulatory Considerations

Resolution In Individual States

Wetland Rehabilitation ProjectsRestore Degraded Wetlands to Previously Existing Conditions

Includes Plugging Ditches and Breaching of Levees

Does not Receive Credit as Water Quality BMP in Model

WWG/Habitat GIT Has Requested Consideration as BMP, plus Reconsideration of Efficiency Credited to Existing Wetlands (presently assigned same credit as forest) for next version of model - 2014

Formation of Expert Panel Anticipated

Next StepsSubmit recommendations for NWI update quads; NWI reports; or Wetland Characteristics

Comments on BMP Verification Protocol by June 21 for Work Group response; due to CBP July 1

Recommendation on Acreage Goal Reporting

Questions for Expert Panel on Wetland Rehabilitation for BMP Credit

Review Report on Carrying Capacity for Black Ducks; and New Habitat Goal