10 Steps and 10 Tips

Step 8: Identify Wetlands

Since there are many laws today protecting wetlands, it is important to identify wetlands and define their boundaries. This will have a significant impact of what you can build, where you can build it and the overall value of your property.

• Tip 8: Not all wetlands are as obvious as you might think.
  A wetland can range from a slight depression that holds water only after spring run-off to a forested swamp with saturated peat soils. Some plants, such as cotton-grass, black willow and cattail, are almost always found on wetlands. Other plants, including black spruce, larch (tamarack), speckled alder, northern white cedar and black ash, may indicate the presence of wetlands. For more information, contact your local or regional extension office.