Primary purpose
To assess wetland functions in routine Section 404 permit applications.
Expertise needed
Professional(s) who have training and experience in wetland science.
Applicable habitat types
Wetlands in Wisconsin.
Categories assessed
Eight functional values are addressed: floral diversity; wildlife habitat; fishery habitat; flood/stormwater attenuation; water quality protection; shoreline protection; groundwater; and aesthetics/recreation/education.
Procedure
The user(s) reviews existing data sources, visits the area, and answers questions that indicate the presence of factors important for each functional value. There are no models. The answers to questions are used as a guide in rating the significance of each functional value for a wetland. Possible ratings include: low, medium, high, exceptional, and not applicable.
Key Terminology
Functional value: (Definition of term not provided; however, a list of water quality related functional values is provided in the WI DNR water quality standards for wetlands).
Output
Measure of functional value of a site relative to wetlands in Wisconsin.
Estimated time to assess 1 acre site
Total 4 hours per site.
4 hours: Complete general information (step 1), assess wetland functions (step 2), and record results (step 3).
Comparison of habitat types
Can directly compare wetlands within Wisconsin.
Use as guide to design
WI RAM should not be used as a guide to design. It is not the intended purpose for the procedure and use in this manner would not be acceptable to Wisconsin DNR (Pers. comm.: Scott Hausman, WI DNR, June 16, 1998). For example, WI RAM uses opportunity variables (questions), but does not set upper limits on those opportunities that could potentially reduce functional value (e.g., "algal blooms, heavy macrophyte growth, or other signs of excess nutrient loading" is considered an indication of the water quality protection function). In some circumstances, a wetland will not have the capacity to remove all nutrient input. An upper limit on the opportunity must be defined to insure that the existing or planned wetland can predictably have the capacity to provide a function. Also, WI RAM does not provide validated threshold values for many variables. Another aspect to consider is whether the model can provide explicit design criteria. The design criteria for this function could be explicit information (e.g., the wetland receives overland flow or direct discharge of stormwater as a primary source of water). However, a high degree of subjective judgement is used to assign a rating since there is no model. Unless the reasons for assigning a high score are documented, it would be difficult to determine which variables or other information should be incorporated into the design to maximize the functional value.
Contact person
Scott Hausman, Wisconsin DNR, P.O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707 phone: (608) 266-7360; fax: (608) 264-9200; e-mail: hausmp@dnr.state.wi.us
Related procedures
MNRAM (MBWSR 1996) is based on and represents an updated version of WI RAM.
Extent of use/field testing
The WI Method has been routinely used since 1992 for regulatory assessment. It has also been used for screening two special area management plans (SAMP) and a number of remediation projects. Hundreds of assessments are done each year using WI RAM.
Proposed future revisions
An amphibian supplement is being prepared with planned distribution in August 1998.
Key Reference
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 1992. Rapid Assessment Methodology for Evaluating Wetland Functional Values. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. 9 pp.