History

Congress authorized (mandated) the US Army Corps of Engineers to develop the Wetland Delineator Certification Program for the training and certification of individuals as wetland delineators. 

The intent of the Wetland Delineator Certification Program (WDCP) is: (1) To improve the quality and consistency of wetland delineations submitted to the Corps, and (2) to streamline the regulatory process by developing procedures for expediting review and consideration of delineations submitted by certified delineators. 

The Corps routinely receives inaccurate and inconsistent wetland delineations from applicants and/or their representatives which necessitate modification(s) or redelineation(s).  When this occurs, the Corps must spend a greater amount of time in making a determination of wetlands jurisdiction.  By relying more on private sector delineations the Corps will be able to more efficiently utilize its limiited staff for permit evaluations and compliance 

Although there will be no requirement for wetland for wetland delineators to be certified under the WDCP in order to submit wetland delineations to the Corps; however, the Corps will handle wetland delineations performed by wetland delineators it has certified more  expeditiously. 

Source: Federal Register, March 14, 1995.

Status

The Wetland Delineator Certification Program (WDCP) was initially announced in 1992. During 1993 and 1994, the Corps held a Demonstration Phase in three Districts, Seattle, Baltimore and Jacksonville.  The Corps, in these Districts, held written and field tests to applicants to become Provisionally Certified Wetland Delineators.  Of the 907 persons who took the written test, 393 (43%) passed the written test, and of these, 349 (88%) passed the field test and gained provisional certification.  Thus 349 persons of the 907 persons who took the written test, passed both tests for certification.  On March 14, 1995, the Corps published the Proposed Rule for the WDCP in the Federal Register. The Corps is awaiting publication of the Final Rule in the Federal Register.

State and Local Certificatioon Programs

Several states and counties have developed independent certification programs.  We are aware of programs offered by the States of New Hampshire, Virginia, and Minnesota and Lake, DeKalb, Kane, Cook Counties of Illinois.

Links of Interest:

Meet Richard Chinn

Send E-Mail to info@richardchinn.com

Return to Homepage 

^® 

804 Cottage Hill Way, Brandon, FL 33511-8098

Phone:  1.800.427.0307 (US tollfree) or 1.813.655.7549 (International)

Fax:  1.888.457.6331 (US tollfree) or 1.813.354.4659 (International)