New Orleans District Evaluating New Wetland Impact Assessment Method

In late February the U.S Army Corps of En-gineers New Orleans District launched a new wetland assessment method. The new Louisiana Wetland Rapid Assessment Method (LRAM) will be 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 district will evaluate LRAM over yearlong assessment period.

Following the interim period the Corps will evaluate comments received from users of the method for potential improvements to the LRAM process. 

The LRAM replaces the use of the Modified Charleston Method for determining wetland mitigation requirements for South Louisiana projects that require Department of the Army permits. The Corps of Engineers conducted multiple public meetings in late October of 2015 about the new process how it varies from the old method and the interim period of LRAM.

The LRAM Guidebook and associated spreadsheets are available at: https://ribits.usace.army.mil.