Uniform Mitigation Assessment Method TRAINING MANUAL

Community Structure - 62-345.500(6)(c), FAC
Scoring Guidance
The scoring of each
indicator is based on what
would be suitable for the
type of wetland or surface
water assessed
PART II – Quantification of Assessment Area (impact or mitigation)
(See Sections 62-345.500 and .600, F.A.C.)
Site/Project Name Application Number Assessment Area Name or Number
Impact or Mitigation
.500(6)(a) Location and
Landscape Support
Optimal (10)
Condition is optimal and
fully supports
wetland/surface water
functions
Assessment conducted by:
Moderate(7) Minimal (4)
Condition is less than
optimal, but sufficient to
maintain most
wetland/surface
waterfunctions
Assessment date:
Minimal level of support of
wetland/surface water
functions
Not Present (0)
Condition is insufficient to
provide wetland/surface
water functions
2. Benthic and Sessile Communities
(continued)
The final score for the Community Structure – Benthic and
Sessile Communities category is a reflection of the overall
condition of an assessment area, taking into consideration all
applicable attributes (do not score each attribute and average
them in the end, but rather think of this in terms of what final
score best fits the overall conditions of the assessment area).
Any whole number score between 0-10 may be used that best
represents the level of function of the assessment area.
w/o pres or
current
w/o pres or
current
w/o pres or
current
current
or w/o pres
Delta = [with-current]
with
.500(6)(b)Water Environment
(n/a for uplands)
with
.500(6)(c)Community structure
1. Vegetation and/or
2. Benthic Community
with
Score = sum of above scores/30 (if
uplands, divide by 20)
with
If preservation as mitigation,
Preservation adjustment factor =
Adjusted mitigation delta =
If mitigation
Time lag (t-factor) =
For impact assessment areas
FL = delta x acres =
For mitigation assessment areas
The rule lists descriptors of attributes for 4 categories of
scores as guidance:
•A score of (10) means that the benthic communities are
indicative of conditions that provide optimal support for
all of the functions typical of the assessment area and
provide optimal benefit to fish and wildlife.
•A score of (7) means that, relative to ideal habitat, the
benthic communities of the assessment area provide
functions at 70% of the optimal level.
•A score of (4) means that, relative to ideal habitat, the
benthic communities of the assessment area provide
functions to 40% of the optimal level.
•A score of (0) means that the benthic communities do
not support the functions identified and do not provide
benefits to fish and wildlife.
A Summary Worksheet for Benthic and Sessile Communities
is included to help in the field assessment scoring.
Risk factor =
RFG = delta/(t-factor x risk) =
Form 62-345.900(2), F.A.C. [effective date 02-04-2004]