Louisiana Wetland Assessment Method up for Comment

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans District initiated use of the new Louisiana Wetland Rapid Assessment Method (LRAM) in February 2016 as part of a yearlong interim evaluation and is now seeking public feedback.

“Feedback will be used to make any additions, updates, corrections or clarifications to LRAM,” said Martin Mayer, Regulatory chief, New Orleans District. “So far we’ve gotten positive feedback about the program but want to know if there is anywhere we can improve it.”

According to the Corps, the LRAM is used to determine impacts to wetlands and calculate compensatory mitigation requirements for activities permitted under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.

The program replaces the Modified Charleston Method for determining wetland mitigation requirements for projects within the New Orleans District that require Department of the Army permits.

USACE conducted multiple public workshops in late 2015 about the new process, how it varies from the old method, and about the interim period.