The Role of Software in Streamlining Wetland Delineation Processes
By Lee Lance
“When you’re knee-deep in mud and carrying a stack of paper data sheets, there’s always the potential for messing up those forms or los- ing them altogether,” says Nevin Durish, Senior Biologist and Central Texas Managing Director for ESE Partners. Durish is describing the traditional method for collecting data in a wetland, a process regu- lated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Until recently, wetland scientists have had few technologies at their disposal, so data have traditionally been gathered manually using clipboards and pens, or with unintuitive, complex, unreliable software. All previously avail- able options were painstakingly tedious. “There are three pages of pa- per for each individual sampling point,” Durish explains. Each project can require anywhere from a handful to thousands of these three-page USACE sampling point forms. In addition to the juggling of papers in swampy terrain, this year’s regulatory climate presents a particular challenge for wetland scien- tists because of modifications and rollbacks to regulations concerning wetlands and other waters of the United States (WOTUS). The new definition of WOTUS, which became effective in June of 2020, re- moves federal protections from certain wetlands and other navigable waters that were previously protected – which leaves nearly half the country’s wetlands vulnerable. In addition, an Executive Order issued by the current administration this summer suspending NEPA meant that many infrastructure projects could move forward without neces- sitating federal environmental review, a step that further put wetlands and wetland species at risk. Fortunately, technology is available to aid scientists who are trying to navigate regulatory changes, while also reducing the paperwork re- quired during the wetland delineation process. This article outlines the benefits of various technological advances in the field of wetland sci- ence. For a summary of several new technologies available, read here. Advantage #1: Technology Keeps the Most Up-to-Date In- formation at a Scientist’s Fingertips The continued evolution of GIS mapping methods helps land-use planners and land resource managers make informed decisions. In ad- dition, the USACE’s Wetlands Delineation Manual, and the National Wetland Plant List (NWPL) which have been traditionally housed in field manuals and guidebooks, are now accessible through smartphone platforms like Ecobot. The app provides access to reference materials from the most current manual and species list and allows scientists to complete data forms on their phones, replacing paper forms. For ex- ample, when the NWPL was updated in May of 2020, Ecobot modified its vegetation lookup tool to include the new changes, as well as some additional common non-indicator species requested by its customers.
Advantage #2: Technology Saves Time GIS Mapping Systems and software platforms save time in both the field and in the office. Apps like iNaturalist identify wetland species using the smartphone camera at the site, which reduces the need to go back later and update forms with correctly identified species. In addition to storing a vast library of reference materials and auto- calculating completed datasheets to determine if a parcel of land con- tains wetlands, Ecobot can auto-fill data from one sheet to another and even allows for real-time quality assurance and control from the team in the office. “Leaving the field with completed wetland data forms is a huge time- saver,” says Olivia Haney, Assistant Environmental Scientist, Burns & McDonnell. “There may be minor changes when you get back to the office, but for the most part it eliminates an entire, large step of our workflow for producing wetland delineation reports to submit to the Corps or to the client.” “The review that’s completed in the office is now truly a confirmation of accuracy,” adds Durish. “There’s a very significant time savings and that’s time that can be put toward ensuring that we submit the most comprehensive and accurate data possible.”
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november 2020
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