Notice2025-01798
National Wetland Plant List
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Published
January 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentEngineers Corps
Abstract
The National Wetland Plant List (NWPL) provides plant species indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland delineations under the Clean Water Act and section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects. To update the NWPL, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of an interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is announcing the availability of the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL to solicit public comments. The public will now have the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to wetland indicator status ratings for ten plant species over five different regions.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 17 (Tuesday, January 28, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 17 (Tuesday, January 28, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8285-8288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-01798]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers
National Wetland Plant List
AGENCY: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, DoD.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The National Wetland Plant List (NWPL) provides plant species
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indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the
hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland
delineations under the Clean Water Act and section 10 of the Rivers and
Harbors Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation
Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL
include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects.
To update the NWPL, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of an
interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the U.S. Department of
Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is
announcing the availability of the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL to
solicit public comments. The public will now have the opportunity to
comment on the proposed changes to wetland indicator status ratings for
ten plant species over five different regions.
DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before March 31, 2025.
ADDRESSES: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G Street
NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brianne McGuffie, Headquarters, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers, Operations and Regulatory Community of
Practice, Washington, DC 20314-1000, by phone at 202-761-4750 or by
email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0466766d656a6a612a612a6967637162626d614471776567612a6576697d2a696d68"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9af8e8f3fbf4f4ffb4ffb4f7f9fdeffcfcf3ffdaefe9fbf9ffb4fbe8f7e3b4f7f3f6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) administers the NWPL for
the United States (U.S.) and its territories. Responsibility for the
NWPL was transferred to USACE from the FWS in 2006. The NWPL has
undergone several revisions since its inception in 1988. Additions or
deletions to the NWPL represent new records, range extensions,
nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, and newly proposed species. The
latest review process began in 2024 and included review by Regional
Panels (RPs) and the National Panel (NP).
Wetland Indicator Status Ratings
On the NWPL, there are five categories of wetland indicator status
ratings used to indicate a plant's likelihood for occurrence in
wetlands versus non-wetlands: Obligate Wetland (OBL), Facultative
Wetland (FACW), Facultative (FAC), Facultative Upland (FACU), and
Upland (UPL). These rating categories are defined by the NP as follows:
OBL--almost always occur in wetlands; FACW--usually occur in wetlands
but may occur in non-wetlands; FAC--occur in wetlands and non-wetlands;
FACU--usually occur in non-wetlands but may occur in wetlands; UPL--
almost always occur in non-wetlands. These category definitions are
qualitative descriptions that better reflect the qualitative supporting
information, rather than numeric frequency ranges. The percentage
frequency categories used in the older definitions are only used for
testing problematic or contested species being recommended for
indicator status changes. All other previously utilized indicator
designations are no longer used on the NWPL. More information on the
specifics of how to use these ratings is available on the NWPL website
at <a href="https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/">https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/</a>.
The NWPL is utilized in conducting wetland determinations under the
authority of section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) and
section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. 401 et
seq.) and wetland determinations under the authority of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. 3801 et seq.). For the purposes of
determining how often a species occurs in wetlands, wetlands are
defined as either (1) those areas that are inundated or saturated by
surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to
support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence
of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions
(33 CFR 328.3) or (2) ``except when such term is part of the term
`converted wetland,' means land that has a predominance of hydric
soils; is inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a
frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence of
hydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil
conditions; and under normal circumstances does support a prevalence of
such vegetation, except that this term does not include lands in Alaska
identified as having a high potential for agricultural development and
a predominance of permafrost soils.'' (16 U.S.C. 3801(a)(27) and 7 CFR
12.2). Because each plant species being evaluated occurs as part of a
vegetation assemblage, examining all species present in relation to
their assigned wetland fidelity may be useful in assessing hydrophytic
vegetation.
2024 Update Information
For the 2024 NWPL update, requested wetland indicator status rating
changes were submitted by the public. One member of the public
submitted a request to change the wetland indicator status rating for
Cicendia quadrangularis to FAC in the Arid West region. However, the
submitter's requested change is already reflected on the NWPL. Since
the requested indicator status rating of FAC is the same wetland
indicator status rating already contained in the NWPL, no change is
being proposed by the NWPL NP for this species. The NWPL NP and
pertinent RPs reviewed the proposed changes for two other species,
Alnus incana and Amaranthus tuberculatus, and made recommendations for
the proposed 2024 wetland indicator status ratings for these species
detailed below.
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Proposed 2024 NWPL
Species Region(s) * Current 2022 NWPL rating rating
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Alnus incana...................... AGCP, EMP............... FACU.................... FACW.
Amaranthus tuberculatus........... MW, NCNE................ OBL..................... FACW.
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* AGCP--Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain; EMP--Eastern Mountains and Piedmont; MW--Midwest; NCNE--Northcentral
and Northeast.
For the 2024 NWPL update, the Alaska RP requested an evaluation of
the wetland indicator status ratings for eight species in the Alaska
region which have different wetland indicator status ratings for
certain subregions within Alaska. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and
Development Center, in collaboration with the Alaska RP, evaluated the
subregional wetland indicator status ratings for those eight species
using repeatable methods for assignment of wetland indicator status
rating, including multiple correspondence analysis, analysis of
similarity, non-metric multidimensional scaling, principal component
analysis, and machine learning techniques. Based on the results of this
research (Whitecloud et al., 2024), as well as input from the NWPL NP
and the
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Alaska RP, we propose the following changes, which are summarized in
the table below. A copy of this report can be reviewed at the following
link: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/49509">http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/49509</a>. Note: no changes are
being proposed to the overall Alaska regional wetland indicator status
ratings. Subregion acronyms are defined below the recommendations
table.
1. Andromeda polifolia--for the two examined subregions with
adequate sample size (IAL, UKK), change wetland indicator status rating
from OBL to FACW. The wetland indicator status rating remains OBL in
IAM. For the two examined subregions without adequate sample size (CRB,
IBR), the wetland indicator status rating will remain OBL, as there was
not sufficient data to support an indicator status change.
2. Arctous rubra--change the wetland indicator status rating for
all subregions examined (WBR, NBR, NSL, SPH) to match the state wetland
indicator status rating of FAC.
3. Carex canescens--no change to the subregion wetland indicator
status rating of FAC, as none of the five subregions examined (IAL,
IAM, CRB, IBR, UKK) had adequate sample size to support a different
indicator.
4. Rhododendron tomentosum--change the wetland indicator status
rating for the subregion examined (PDA) to match the state wetland
indicator status rating of FACW.
5. Rubus arcticus--no change to the subregion wetland indicator
status rating of FACU. Retention of FACU is supported by the analyses
for three subregions (IAH, IAM, CRB), but two subregions (IAL and IBR)
did not have enough data for analysis, so remain unchanged.Salix
arctica--remains FAC in ACP (supported by analyses) and NSL (not enough
data to support change). WBR and SPH are reassigned from FAC to FACU to
match the state.
6. Salix pulchra--change the wetland indicator status rating for
all subregions examined (WBR, PDA) to match the state wetland indicator
status rating of FACW.
7. Viola palustris--change the rating for AKI from FAC to FACW. For
the purposes of this proposed change, the change from FAC to FACW for
Viola palustris will apply to Major Land Resource Areas (MLRA) 230
(Yukon-Kuskokwim Highlands) and 232 (Yukon Flats Lowland). Under this
proposal, the other NWPL subregions (i.e., MLRAs) found in AKI (CBR,
IAH, IAL, IAM, IBR, PDA) will remain FAC. Retention of FAC for IAH and
IAM is supported by analyses; the remaining subregions did not have
enough data.
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Current Alaska Current NWPL Proposed 2024 NWPL
Species name rating Subregion subregion rating subregion rating
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Andromeda polifolia............. FACW.............. IAL............... OBL............... FACW.
IAM............... OBL............... OBL.
CRB............... OBL............... OBL.
IBR............... OBL............... OBL.
UKK............... OBL............... FACW.
Arctous rubra................... FAC............... WBR............... FACW.............. FAC.
NBR............... FACW.............. FAC.
NSL............... FACW.............. FAC.
SPH............... FACW.............. FAC.
Carex canescens................. FACW.............. IAL............... FAC............... FAC.
IAM............... FAC............... FAC.
CRB............... FAC............... FAC.
IBR............... FAC............... FAC.
UKK............... FAC............... FAC.
Rhododendron tomentosum......... FACW.............. PDA............... FAC............... FACW.
Rubus arcticus.................. FAC............... IAH............... FACU.............. FACU.
IAL............... FACU.............. FACU.
IAM............... FACU.............. FACU.
CRB............... FACU.............. FACU.
IBR............... FACU.............. FACU.
Salix arctica................... FACU.............. ACP............... FAC............... FAC.
WBR............... FAC............... FACU.
NSL............... FAC............... FAC.
SPH............... FAC............... FACU.
Salix pulchra................... FACW.............. WBR............... FAC............... FACW.
PDA............... FAC............... FACW.
Viola palustris................. FACW.............. AKI............... FAC............... FACW.
IAH............... FAC............... FAC.
IAL............... FAC............... FAC.
IAM............... FAC............... FAC.
CRB............... FAC............... FAC.
IBR............... FAC............... FAC.
PDA............... FAC............... FAC.
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ACP--Arctic Coastal Plain; AKI--Alaska Interior; CRB--Copper River Basin; IAH--Interior Alaska Highlands; IAL--
Interior Alaska Lowlands; IAM--Interior Alaska Mountains; IBR--Interior Brooks Range; NBR--Northern Brooks
Range; NSL--Northern Seward Peninsula; PDA--Pebble/Donlin/Aniak; SPH--Seward Peninsula Highlands; UKK--Upper
Kobuk-Koyukuk; WBR--Western Brooks Range.
Instructions for Providing Comments
USACE encourages public input in the form of data, comments,
literature references, or field experiences, to help clarify the status
of the species reviewed for this update. Comments on these proposed
changes should be emailed to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c3adb4b3af83b6b0a2a0a6eda2b1aebaedaeaaaf"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="274950574b6752544644420946554a5e094a4e4b">[email protected]</span></a>. Users are encouraged
to submit literature citations, herbaria records, experiential
references, monitoring data, photographic documentation, and other
relevant information. Specific knowledge of, or studies related to,
individual species are particularly helpful. When providing input or
information on the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL update, commenters
should
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use their regional botanical and ecological expertise, field
observations, reviews of the most recent indicator status information,
appropriate botanical literature, floras, herbarium specimens with
notation of habitat and associated species, habit data, relevant
studies, and historic list information. Providing ratings without
supporting documentation or information is not recommended. All
submitted comments and information will be compiled and sent to the NP
for their review and consideration.
Detailed information on the update process, protocol, and technical
issues can be found in the following documents, which are available on
the ``References/Resources'' web page:
<bullet> Lichvar, Robert W. and Paul Minkin. Concepts and
Procedures for Updating the National Wetland Plant List. 2008. ERDC/
CRREL TN-08-3. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development
Center, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory.
<bullet> Lichvar, Robert W. and Jennifer J. Gillrich. Final
Protocol for Assigning Wetland Indicator Status Ratings during National
Wetland Plant List Update. 2011. ERDC/CRREL TN-11-1. Hanover, NH: U.S.
Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Cold Regions Research
and Engineering Laboratory.
<bullet> Lichvar Robert W., Norman C. Melvin, Mary L. Butterwick,
and William N. Kirchner. 2012. National Wetland Plant List Indicator
Rating Definitions. ERDC/CRREL TN-12-1. Hanover, NH: U.S. Army Engineer
Research and Development, Center Cold Regions Research and Engineering
Laboratory.
<bullet> Whitecloud, Simone W., Philley, Kevin D., Minkin, J. Paul,
Antrim, Anna K., Lichtner, Franz J., Wuerslin, Nicole A., Barker,
Natalie. D., Gong, Ping., Campellone, Estrella F., Gordon, Kyle B., and
Wilson, Matthew S. (2024). Assessing the validity and accuracy of
Wetland Indicator Status Ratings for eight species in Alaska
subregions. ERDC TR- 24-26. Vicksburg, MS: U.S. Army Engineer Research
and Development Center.
Future Actions
Submissions throughout the review period will be compiled and
reviewed prior to each NWPL update and any resulting proposed changes
will be reflected in the subsequent notice of an updated list. Future
updates to the NWPL will occur on a to be determined schedule. A change
in indicator status for a given species, or a proposed species addition
may be requested at any time at <a href="https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/">https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/</a> under ``Submit NWPL Change Request.''
Stephen L. Hill,
Director, Operations and Regulatory Programs.
[FR Doc. 2025-01798 Filed 1-27-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3720-58-P
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