The definitions and descriptions of the available data categories are explained below. Familiarity with each category and its components is necessary to accurately interpret and understand the data summaries.
 

Wetland Types

The generally accepted method of classifying nontidal wetlands into descriptive categories is outlined in Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States, and is commonly referred to as the "Cowardin classification" in honor of the primary author. This hierarchical system uses ecology-based principles of community and arranges these separate classified communities into a simple and consistent system useful in management and research efforts.
 

Permit Categories

The United States Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps) uses two broad categories of permit types in their regulatory program-- individual and general. These categories are based on the level of potential adverse impacts to wetland resources. General permits are issued for activities which have potentially minor environmental consequences and include Nationwide Permits and Regional General Permits. Letters of Permission cover impacts derived from transportation projects by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Abbreviated Standard Permits and Individual Permits require a full public interest review. Regional General Permits are general permits specific to a region or Corps District. A description of each Regional General Permit category applicable to the Norfolk District can be found adjacent to the selection box on the query design form.

Nationwide Permits (NWPs) are a type of General Permit designed to streamline the regulatory process for certain activities having minimal adverse effects on the environment both individually and cumulatively. A list of the Nationwide Permits is available adjacent to the selection box on the query design form.

Individual Permits require a full review by the Corps Project Manager and cover all situations not meeting the probable environmental impacts criteria of the General Permit program.
 

Locations

In addition to the specific Virginia localities, nontidal wetland losses by physiographic province are also provided. Each locality was assigned to one of three physiographic provinces: coastal plain, piedmont or mountain. The mountain province is also commonly referred to as "ridge and valley," or divided into the Blue Ridge and Appalachian provinces. The collective category is used here for simplicity. A few localities were bisected by the geologic boundaries between provinces. In these cases, the localities were assigned to a single province. The criterion for placement in a province was based on landscape position. Localities sharing relatively equal areas of the piedmont and coastal plain geology were placed in the coastal plain if any part of the locality bordered tidal waters. Localities sharing piedmont and mountain geology were placed in the province which accounted for a majority of the land area. The member localities of each physiographic province are listed below.
 

Coastal Plain: Accomack, Arlington, Caroline, Charles City, Chesapeake, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Essex, Fairfax, Fredricksburg, Gloucester, Hampton, Henrico, Hopewell, Hanover, Isle of Wight, James City, King and Queen, King George, King William, Lancaster, Mathews, Middlesex, New Kent, Newport News, Norfolk, Northampton, Northumberland, Petersburg, Poquoson, Portsmouth, Prince George, Prince William, Richmond, City of Richmond, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Suffolk, Surry, Sussex, Southampton, Virginia Beach, Westmoreland, Williamsburg, and York.
 

Piedmont: Albemarle, Amelia,Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Brunswick, Buckingham, Campbell, Charlotte, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Franklin, Goochland, Greene, Greensville, Halifax, Henry, Loudoun, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, Nelson, Orange, Prince Edward, Pittsylvania, Powhatan, and Rappahannock.
 

Mountain: Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Bland, Botetourt, Buchanan, Carroll, Clarke, Craig, Dickinson, Floyd, Fredrick, Giles, Grayson, Highland, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Page, Roanoke, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Russel, Scott, Shenendoah, Smyth, Tazewell Warren, Washington, Wise, and Wythe.
 

Summaries

Summaries are provided for nontidal wetland losses and for compensatory mitigation required as a condition of the Corps permit. Compensatory mitigation (termed "compensation" on the data query page and summary output) is a regulatory instrument used to offset unavoidable wetland losses associated with permitted projects. Compensatory mitigation can include wetland creation, restoration, preservation of existing natural wetlands, or a combination of these.  Data in the compensation summary include combined acres from on-site and off-site creation, enhancement, preservation, restoration, and wetlands bank credits.  Payments to the Virginia Wetlands Restoration Trust Fund are not included in the compensation summary category.  The Virginia Wetlands Restoration Trust Fund was created to provide flexibility in wetlands mitigation requirements through restoration and preservation of natural wetlands in Virginia, and is the result of a memorandum of understanding between The Nature Conservancy and the Norfolk District Corps.  For more information on this program please contact Greg Culpepper, Fund Administrator, at (757) 441-7655.