Baldwin County Wetland Conservation Plan - Alabama Department ...

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Baldwin County Wetland Conservation Plan Final Summary Document Rationale: These land use categories are marked by the presence of impervious surfaces which will increase the volume of surface water sheet flow entering the wetland. Thus, a wetland surrounded by these land uses will be more likely to receive and store larger volumes of water. This variable was identified remotely through digital land use data provide by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Data Column: WS_LULC; 1 point Sediment/Toxicant/Nutrient Removal Question1: Is the water regime of the observed wetland semipermanently flooded (F), seasonally flooded (C), saturated (B), seasonally flooded/saturated (E), or saturated/semipermanent/seasonally flooded (Y)? Rationale: If the wetland exhibits one of the above water regimes, it is likely to provide the alternating wet and dry conditions necessary to promote the microbial activity which aid in nutrient processing. This variable was identified remotely through digital NWI data. Data Column: wat_reg; 1 point Question 2: Does the adjacent land surrounding the observed wetland fall into one of the following land use categories: residential, commercial, industrial, transportation, mixed urban use or agriculture? Rationale: The assumption is that developed or agricultural lands which surround a wetland increase the nutrient, sediment or toxicant load (fertilizer, animal waste, polluted runoff) entering the system. Thus, a wetland in this position would have an increased opportunity to cycle nutrients and filter water exiting the system. Since this variable deals with the issue of opportunity rather than functional ability, a “no” response will not count against a particular wetland. Rather, this will serve as a “bonus” question allowing a wetland extra consideration if this variable applies. This variable was identified remotely through digital land use data supplied by FEMA. Data Column: STN_LULC; 1 point bonus Wildlife Habitat Question 1: Is the observed wetland free of government maintained roads? Rationale: Highly traveled road corridors (defined here as government maintained since a government entity would not normally maintain a road that was not highly traveled) which bisect wildlife habitat create obvious disturbances which negatively impact wildlife. In addition to the obvious traffic disturbances, secondary development (i.e. Commercial enterprise) is often a result and is ultimately located adjacent to these highly traveled road corridors. Also, roads which bisect a wetland reduce habitat capability by fragmenting the landscape. This variable was identified remotely through Baldwin County’s digital centerline file. The NWI often have gaps in wetland polygons where roads exist. Therefore, a 100’ road buffer was used to identify all wetlands that are actually affected by the presence of a road. Wetlands polygons that were contained within a wetland system of greater than 100 acres were not affected. 99
Baldwin County Wetland Conservation Plan Final Summary Document Data Column: roads; subtract 1 point Question 2: Is the observed wetland located in area where an endangered species has been observed? Rationale: The USFWS and ADCNR provided point data of known areas where endangered species have been observed. A 1/8 mile buffer was applied to these points. The intersection of a wetland and 1/8 mile buffer zones constitutes a bonus point for the observed wetland. Data Column: endan; 1 point bonus Question 3: Does the observed wetland provide a corridor of movement for expected wildlife as indicated by its presence in one of the following land use categories: forest or wetland? Rationale: A wetland which may not necessarily serve as habitat, but does provide a corridor of movement for wildlife between two habitats is important to the habitat function. This variable was identified remotely through FEMA land use data. Data Column: WILDLULC; 1 point Question 4: Is the observed wetland located in an area that has burned within the last ten years? Rationale: Fire is a variable closely associated with maintaining the characteristic plant community of a wet pine flatwood or a pine savannah. It helps maintain the proper vegetative cover required for expected species. Thus, a flat which is burned periodically is of higher functionality than one that is not. This variable was identified remotely through Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) digital data. Data Column: burn; 1 point bonus Question 5: Is the adjacent land use compatible with supporting the expected wildlife as indicated by being located in one of the following land use categories: agriculture, rangeland, forest or wetland? Rationale: Land use adjacent to wetland habitat has a significant impact upon the species which utilize that habitat. Wetlands are more valuable for habitat when surrounding land use meets specific wildlife needs such as temporary escape, resting cover and seasonal food sources. The listed land use categories provide for these specific needs. This variable can be identified remotely through digital land use data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Data Column: WILLULC2; 1 point Groundwater Maintenance 100
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The Baldwin County Wetland Conserva
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3.2.3.2. Acquisition of GIS data la
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. List of Acronyms 1. ADCNR........
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d. Executive Summary The objective
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Baldwin County Wetland Conservation
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