RIPARIAN WETLANDS OF EAST CANYON CREEK IN SUMMIT COUNTY, UTAH: LOSSES AUTHORIZED UNDER SECTION 404 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF OVERALL HISTORICAL LOSSES

Abstract

Under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorizes the discharge of dredged and fill material into waters of the U.S., including wetlands. The program requires that project managers who authorize programmatic or individual wetland fill permits consider cumulative effects of wetland losses both within, and outside, the scope of the Regulatory Program. Cumulative effects are difficult to analyze because project managers do not have the resources necessary to determine historical wetland losses, nor do they have a complete Regulatory database to evaluate cumulative losses incurred under the 404 program. Furthermore, if losses can be identified, it is difficult to establish a threshold ofloss over which project managers should incorporate special permitting considerations. This study employs the use ofhydric soil mapping, aerial photography and infrared imagery to determine historical cumulative losses of riparian wetlands to East Canyon Creek in Summit County, Utah. It additionally traces riparian wetland impacts authorized under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act within the same study area in order to determine the percentage of historical cumulative loss represented by the 404 Regulatory Program. Having established the percentage of historical cumulative riparian wetland loss, as well as that represented by the 404 Regulatory Program, recommendations are provided to reduce future riparian wetland losses within the study area, ensure effective mitigation where losses are authorized, and address cumulative losses of this resource.