California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands - State Water ...
California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands - State Water ...
California Rapid Assessment Method for Wetlands - State Water ...
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<strong>Cali<strong>for</strong>nia</strong> <strong>Rapid</strong> <strong>Assessment</strong> <strong>Method</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>Wetlands</strong> v. 5.0.2 – Chapter 3<br />
The best achievable condition of a project might be unavoidably constrained by adjacent or<br />
nearby land uses. In these situations, the expected or target level of per<strong>for</strong>mance of a project<br />
might be adjusted <strong>for</strong> the land use constraints. In other words, although a project is assessed<br />
relative to the best achievable conditions <strong>for</strong> its wetland type throughout the <strong>State</strong>, what is<br />
expected or deemed acceptable <strong>for</strong> any particular project might reflect its land use setting. For<br />
example, stream restoration projects in urban landscapes need not be held to the same standards<br />
of high per<strong>for</strong>mance as projects in rural or non-developed landscapes. As CRAM scores<br />
accumulate throughout the <strong>State</strong>, their relationship to land use setting can be analyzed to guide<br />
local adjustments in project per<strong>for</strong>mance criteria that are based on CRAM.<br />
3.6 Step 6: Conduct Initial Office <strong>Assessment</strong> of Condition Metrics and Stressors<br />
For each CRAM assessment, there is initial office work to acquire the site imagery, plan logistics<br />
<strong>for</strong> the site visit, and to assemble in<strong>for</strong>mation about the management of the site and its possible<br />
stressors. Preliminary scores can be developed <strong>for</strong> some metrics, based on existing<br />
documentation (e.g., aerial photography, reports, etc.), prior to conducting any fieldwork. Such<br />
preliminary scoring is not necessary, however, and any preliminary scores must be verified<br />
during the site visit. The initial office work is itemized in Table 3.10 below.<br />
Table 3.10: CRAM metrics suitable <strong>for</strong> pre-site visit draft assessment.<br />
Background In<strong>for</strong>mation to Assemble Prior to the Site Visit<br />
• 1m-3m pixel resolution digital geo-rectified site imagery<br />
• Site-specific and neighboring reports on hydrology, ecology, chemistry, etc.<br />
• Access permission if needed<br />
• Preliminary map of the <strong>Assessment</strong> Area<br />
• Maps to the site, access points, and other logistical in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
Metrics/Submetrics Suitable <strong>for</strong> Preliminary Scoring Prior to Site Visit<br />
Attributes Metrics/Submetrics Suitable<br />
Landscape Connectivity<br />
Yes<br />
Buffer and<br />
Landscape<br />
Percent of AA with Buffer<br />
Yes<br />
Context<br />
Average Buffer Width<br />
Yes<br />
Buffer Condition<br />
No<br />
<strong>Water</strong> Source<br />
Yes<br />
Hydrology Hydroperiod or Channel Stability<br />
No<br />
Hydrologic Connectivity<br />
Yes<br />
Physical<br />
Structural Patch Richness<br />
No<br />
Topographic Complexity<br />
No<br />
Number of Plant Layers Present<br />
No<br />
Structure<br />
Number of Co-dominant Species No<br />
Biotic<br />
Native Plant Species Richness<br />
No<br />
Percent Invasion<br />
No<br />
Horizontal Interspersion and Zonation No<br />
Vertical Biotic Structure<br />
No<br />
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