The main objective of this project is to provide a resource for digitizing wetland data with a consistent and reliable approach

This $248,138 Cooperative Agreement was awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Regional Wetland Program Development Grants (CFDA 66.461) program. The objective is to provide a resource for local governments in Washington state to digitize wetland data using a consistent and reliable approach. The grantee, the Washington Department of Ecology, will develop a guidance document and template Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) for wetland mapping digitization. This will support local governments with limited resources to better identify and protect their wetlands, while generating more standardized wetland data that can be used to update statewide wetland maps. The project activities include a literature review, defining mapping standards, creating the guidance document, and conducting outreach to disseminate the findings. The intended beneficiaries are local and tribal governments, state agencies, and wetland professionals across Washington. The project period is from July 1, 2024 to August 30, 2026.

This will include a template quality assurance project plan (qapp) that can be used by local governments to plan their wetland digitization efforts so that they meet state and federal standards. The grantee, washington department of ecology (wdoe), will start with a literature review to identify existing standards and guidance for digitizing wetland data. From the literature review and with feedback from ecology staff, wdoe will generate a draft guidance and template qapp that will be shared with stakeholders to solicit feedback. Wdoe will incorporate feedback to finalize the guidance and publish IT on ecology's website. This mapping guidance will support local governments with limited resources to better identify and protect their wetlands, while generating more standardized wetland data that can be used to update wetland maps statewide. Updated wetland maps will allow local governments to better track impacts of land use and climate change on wetlands over time, which is a primary objective in the washington state wetland program plan. Activities:the grantee will begin this project with a literature review of published documents that relate to wetland mapping. In the next phase of the project the grantee will define mapping standards for the state of washington. In the third component of the project the grantee will create a guidance document for wetland mapping digitization. Lastly, the grantee will conduct outreach through presentations and posting on wdoe website in order to disseminate their findings and outcomes.subrecipient:no subawards are included in this assistance agreement.outcomes:this mapping guidance will support local governments with limited resources to better identify and protect their wetlands, while generating more standardized wetland data that can be used to update wetland maps statewide. The grantee will create a summary report from their literature review, an outline of updated mapping standards and methods, and final guidance documents for wetland mapping digitization in washington state. Intended outcomes of the project are to provide standardized mapping methods and instructions to local governments and other professional throughout the state of washington to increase wetland identification for restoration and protection efforts. The intended beneficiaries of this project will be local and tribal governments, county and state agencies, and professionals in wetland consulting, restoration, protection and permitting.