FHWA Method for Wetland Functional Assessment- Some Observations

At first glance, the Federal Highway Administration's method for wetland functional assessment is rather overwhelming. In its present stage of development, it certainly cannot be considered "user friendly." However, when the tremendous amount of background information forming the basis for the method is stripped away, one has to be impressed by the fundamental simplicity of the approach. Basically, the system attempts to translate what we know about wetlands, as revealed in the scientific literature, into an array of predictors (symptoms) that possibly can tell us whether there is a high, moderate, or low probability that a wetland performs a particular function. I am convinced that, through a carefully organized program of testing and peer review, the method can be modified to fit the needs of most users.