Florida Wetlands Delineation Manual

This manual should be used as an aid in the use of Chapter 62-340, F.A.C. It will not answer every question that may arise in the use of the rule. It is not a substitute for the rule. Hands-on training will continue to be necessary to achieve and maintain a proficient understanding of wetland delineation.

The sole topic of this manual is the identification and delineation of wetlands and other surface waters. The definition of wetlands provides a categorization of the areas intended for inclusion in this process. The regulation of areas determined to be wetlands and other surface waters is not the topic of this manual. Regulation, including permitting thresholds and criteria, is covered under different rules and statutes and is not part of the wetland

delineation methodology.

To aid Floridians in understanding the science and nuances of wetland delineation, this manual provides reference site examples of wetland identification and delineation as defined and prescribed in Chapter 62-340, F.A.C. Nineteen references sites, at fifteen locations representing common wetlands in Florida, are described. Each site and the wetland delineation are discussed. The sites are located on public lands and are readily

accessible to the public. In some cases prior notice will be necessary and a fee may be required to access some sites. Examples of altered sites are not provided because the community characteristics necessary to establish a firm boundary are generally masked or may be in a state of redevelopment.

This manual is structured to provide the reader with necessary information prior to discussing the actual mechanics of Chapter 62-340, F.A.C. Important preliminary discussions are found in this Introduction, in the section titled Applied Concepts and Interpretations of Chapter 62-340, F.A.C., and under Methodology in the subsection titled

Delineation Procedures - Tools.

Several fundamental topics need to be understood prior to the use of this manual, and the rule: the wetland definition, reasonable scientific judgement, ecotones, and hydric soils.