Project Summary
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Project Summary |
Creating Indicators of Wetland Status - (Quantity and Quality): Freshwater Wetland Mitigation in New Jersey
Location: New Jersey - Statewide, 90 wetland mitigation sites
Client: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Science, Research, and Technology
Project Purpose and Scope
New
Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) contracted with Amy S.
Greene Environmental Consultants, Inc.(ASGECI) to develop an indicator of
wetland status to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing wetland mitigation
program in accordance with National Environmental Performance Partnership System
(NEPPS) goals. The indicators of wetland status include: 1) the extent to which
mitigation conforms with approved plans; 2) the amount of wetland achieved
through mitigation; and 3) the capacity of mitigation to provide wetland quality
and function.
The
objectives of
the project were as follows: update the NJDEP wetland mitigation database;
determine if constructed mitigation sites are consistent with approved plans;
evaluate the quantity, quality, and function of constructed wetland
mitigation sites; provide recommendations for improvement to mitigation plan
design; develop an information management system; and wetland mitigation
evaluation program that can be incorporated
into the
existing NJDEP wetland protection program.
Highlights and Results of Services
During the course of this study, ASGECI developed field procedures for measurement of quantity, quality, and concurrence with NJDEP requirements of wetland mitigation sites. All procedures were developed in collaboration with NJDEP through office and field meetings. Wetland quality evaluation procedures were developed in conjunction with a study team consisting of representatives from ASGECI, NJDEP, and the academic community. Field evaluation was conducted on 90 wetland mitigation sites out of 171 approved freshwater mitigation projects in NJDEP's database at time of study commencement. Field evaluation included wetland delineation using a Global Positioning System (85 sites), site evaluation for concurrence with NJDEP permit and mitigation plan (88 sites), and wetland quality assessment (74 sites). A report was prepared summarizing study findings and recommendationsfor improvements. A total of 135 files in the NJDEP database were updated with information including file completeness and results of field evaluations. Custom database and GIS applications were developed to facilitate use by NJDEP staff on additional mitigation sites.
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