1001 W CASINO RD BASE FILE 2018-01-01 MF Import

i Z used to make this determination (Reed 1988) . The WIS ratinqs seqregate plant spacies into ecological groups with similar abilitiea to withstand seturated soil conditions. Goinq from high probability to low probability of beinq in , watland, these ratinqs are: obligate wetland (OBL) , facultative wetland (FACW) , facultative (FAC) , facultative upland (FACU) , and upland (UPL) . Further diacuseion of the veqetation analysie ie included in Appendix A. Hydric soil is a positive indicator of watland. "A hydric soil is a soil that in its undrained condition ie saturated, flooded, or ponded lonq enouqh durinq the qrowing season to develop anaerobic conditions that favor tha qrowth and reqenaration of hydrophytic veqetation" (Soil Conservation Service 1985) . The morphological characteristics of the soils on the property were examined to determine whether any could be clasaified ae hydric accordinq to the deflnition of the U.S. Soil Conservation Sarvice (1985) . A discussion of the mnrpholoqical characterietica used to identify hydric soil is included in Appendix A. In addition to hydric soil and hydrophytic vegetation, a positive indicator of watland hydroloqy is needed for a positive wetland determinatlon. Positive indicators of wetland hydrology include direct observation of inundation or soil saturation, as well as indirect evldence such as driftlines, water marks, surface encrustations, and drainage patterns. Hydroloqy was further investiqated by notinq drainaqe patterne and svrface water connections. The followinq paragraphe describe our observations of the veqetation, soils, and hydroloqy of the Victorian Place property. 9.o Ezistiaq coadition• � - 1 General Prooartv Descrintion The Victorian Place proparty is located in an area of urban qrowth. Formerly, the terrain was qently rollinq, qlacial till topography, but this has been altered by excavation for development in recent years. The property is surrounded by � apartments to the south and west, graded property to the east, and a major highway to the north. The II.S. Fish and Wildlife Se�vice did not map any wetlands on the property in their national wetland survey (Cowardin et al. 1979) (Figure 3) , although a small wetland is located on the north side of State Route 527, across the road from the Victorian Place property. v�q�tation. The vegetation on the property conBists of two relatively dietinct communities: a forested area, which is