Wetlands scientist briefs committee on functions, mapping gaps and the Flood Safety Act’s net‑gain goals

Karina Daley, restoration ecologist with the Vermont Natural Resources Council, gave an overview of wetlands, the state regulatory structure that protects them, and ongoing efforts to improve mapping and restoration.

Daley defined wetlands as areas where soil saturation alters vegetation and soils; hydrophytic plants, hydric soils and hydrology are the field criteria used to delineate a jurisdictional wetland. She noted that a wetland can qualify based on just two weeks of growing‑season saturation and described common Vermont wetland types: wet meadows, forested wetlands (including floodplain forests), vernal pools, marshes and bogs.

Daley stressed wetlands’ functions: stormwater storage, water‑quality filtration, habitat for fish and wildlife (including vernal‑pool‑dependent species such as spotted salamanders), erosion control and recreational and research value. She said restored upstream wetlands can reduce downstream flood impacts and cited regional examples where restoration has been tied to reduced flood damage.

On regulation, Daley summarized Vermont’s wetland classification: Class I wetlands (rare, irreplaceable) receive the strongest protections including a 100‑foot buffer; Class II wetlands are significant and protected; Class III wetlands (sometimes called ‘not significant’) are generally not regulated to the same degree. She noted the Vermont Wetlands Rule (adopted in 1986 and updated since) and explained that state mapping is incomplete: the Natural Resources Atlas includes a Significant Wetlands Inventory, an advisory wetlands layer (non‑regulatory), and hydric soils data that are useful planning tools but are not exhaustive.

Daley described mapping and planning work: the state is updating wetlands mapping (US Fish & Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, hydric soils and local delineations) with the goal of statewide improved mapping by 2025; she emphasized the mapping is a planning tool and that absence from the map does not mean a wetland does not exist. Daley also referenced the Flood Safety Act and a “net gain” objective to restore and replace wetland function when impacts occur, but noted the scale of permitted mitigation to date is modest (transcript cited 18.5 acres of permit‑driven mitigation/restoration from 2016–2020) and that net‑gain policy will involve permitting, mitigation sequencing and funding considerations.

Daley urged better recognition of wetlands on the landscape, improved mapping, and use of nature‑based solutions in flood mitigation and water‑quality planning. She offered to provide technical follow‑up materials for committee staff and members.