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Map amendments may consist of adding entirely new wetlands adjusting the boundaries of existing mapped wetlands deleting areas that no longer meet the statutory definition of wetland, either because they are too small or do not support wetland vegetation extending the regulated adjacent area of the wetland beyond 100 feet (measured perpendicular to the wetland) which may be needed to protect the integrity of the wetland or making other technical changes to the maps. Typically, amendments are not undertaken solely to do technical changes these most often are included as part of other resource-based amendments. These may include renumbering wetlands, correcting notification deficiencies, changing wetland classifications, and updating symbols. In the past, many of these critical wetlands were missed in the mapping process.įinally, amendments might occur when technical corrections to the maps are needed. Most of our wetlands are shrub or forested swamps, and many lie along rivers and streams in the floodplain riparian zone. We now know that only about 14% of our wetlands fit this cattail-marsh-with-a-duck image. The old perception that all wetlands are marshy and have open water has been placed in a new context. The science of wetlands also has matured in the past 20 years. Using new and better aerial photography, computer based geographic information system capabilities and digital soil surveys, biologists are able to inventory wetlands that meet the legal definition of wetland, but are not shown on the regulatory maps. Improved technology has given us the ability to detect wetlands that were missed when the original wetlands mapping work was done in the 1980s.
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![wetland map viewer wetland map viewer](https://geodiscover.alberta.ca/geoportal/images/promo-Viewer.jpg)
Wetland maps can be inaccurate for other reasons, as well. However, when boundaries change substantially, which can happen over longer periods of time, the maps need to be revised to accurately reflect the new wetland boundary. Sometimes, the boundary changes are minor so the maps do not need to be amended. Wetlands are a changing natural resource and their boundaries often change over time. The Freshwater Wetlands Statistics Chart (PDF) (46 KB) shows amendment dates and wetland acreage by county. In addition, the wetland maps have been amended at various locations to correct errors and to reflect changes in the wetlands resource. Filed maps exist for all counties except for the portions of these six counties located within the Adirondack Park: Franklin, Fulton, Herkimer, Saratoga, St. Notice of the completion of the map amendment process is provided to landowners, local governments and newspapers.įor most counties, the original wetland maps were completed and filed between 19. After these steps have been completed, the maps are finalized and copies of the maps are filed with the local government clerks. A public comment period is provided to receive comments on the accuracy of the maps, and follow-up field visits are conducted to ensure the accuracy of the maps. This includes distributing a set of draft wetland maps to appropriate local government clerks sending letters by certified mail to affected landowners and local governments publishing a legal notice in two newspapers and publishing notice in the DEC Environmental Notice Bulletin. The wetlands are shown on 1:24,000 scale maps along with roads, streams and waterbodies, and other features. Wetlands are mapped using a variety of information sources, such as various types and seasons of aerial photography, soil surveys, elevational data, other wetlands inventories, and field verification. The law requires the maps to show "the approximate location of the actual wetland boundary." DEC will refine that approximate boundary by doing a field delineation for landowners when they need more precise information, such as when they are planning to work near a wetland area. The Freshwater Wetlands Act (Article 24 of the Environmental Conservation Law) requires DEC and the Adirondack Park Agency (for areas inside the Adirondack Park) to map the freshwater wetlands that are subject to jurisdiction of the law.