Come join us in Raleigh, NC to learn about the North Carolina Stream Assessment Method (NC SAM) and Wetland Assessment Method (NC WAM) from experts that were key in their development.
Both NC SAM and NC WAM were developed by a federal and state inter-agency team with the goal of establishing accurate, reproducible and rapid field methods to determine stream and wetland functional levels. Both methods provide important information that helps meet the goals of 33 CFR Part 332- Compensatory Mitigation for Losses of Aquatic Resources (aka the '08 Rule).
NC SAM and NC WAM developers John Dorney (Moffat & Nichol), Alexander “Sandy” Smith (Axiom Environmental), LeiLani Paugh (NCDOT), and Greg Price (Froehling and Robertson) will provide insight into the methods' history, important technical components, and wide ranging utility.
As stated in their 21 April 2015 public notice, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Wilmington District (USACE) has started using NC SAM and NC WAM as part of their "internal reviews of permit applications, including decisions regarding the amount and type of compensatory mitigation, avoidance and minimization of impacts, or other decisions pertaining to aquatic resource quality and functions."
While they do not currently require submission of NC SAM and NC WAM results as part of permit applications, USACE Project Managers (PMs) may use both methods to evaluate proposed impacts to Waters of the US.
Although the method is specific to North Carolina, these methods may also be useful for professionals who work in adjacent states.
While the USACE does not require formal NC WAM and NC SAM training, "The District strongly encourages anyone who wishes to use either method to attend the training and gain a strong understanding of the user manual;"
In an effort to increase the accessibility of this training to the scientific community, NCAEP has partnered with course instructors to hold week-long NC SAM and NC WAM training in March and May, respectively. The courses will include both classroom and field instruction. Students with successful end of course test results will be provided an official Certificate of Completion.
Please join us for a dinner meeting on February 25th 2016 as we learn about NC SAM and NC WAM and kick-off our new partnership.
DATE: 25 February 2016
Social Hour starting at 5:30 PM
Dinner at 6:30 PM
Speakers at ~7:00PM
LOCATION: BB&Y Cafe
3700 National Drive, Raleigh, NC
www.bbycafe.com
