Evaluating wetlands in federal land exchanges

Abstract

As a federal land management agency, the USDA’s Forest Service has an ongoing National Forest land exchange and acquisition program. In preparing for a $907,600 land exchange with a large industrial forestland owner, the author was requested to evaluate the wetland resource in accordance with Forest Service policy developed as a result of Executive Order 11990, Protection of Wetlands. In a land exchange federal agencies are required under E.O. 11990 either to reference restricted uses under identified regulations in conveyance documents, to attach appropriate restrictions, or to retain wetlands in federal ownership. It has been determined that there is no net loss of wetlands if the value of wetlands traded is equalled or exceeded by those received. This “balancing test” is the basis for wetland evaluations in land exchangs. Most published evaluation methods were developed for regulatory purposes to assist in the review of applications to alter wetlands. The method used in the 1983 2,111 hectare exchange with Mead Corporation was a simplification of Reppert’sWetland Values, Concepts and Methods for Wetlands Evaluation. Numerical ratings were assigned to all wetlands through office and field evaluations to determine if an equitable trade-off of wetland values could be found. Concurrently there was an appraisal of land value to determine a balance of real estate value. A brief examination and comparison of the Federal Highway Administration March 1983 assessment method and the Ministry of Natural Resources of Ontario Province evaluation system with Reppert’s method is presented.