The US Army Corps of Engineers, the North Carolina Division of Water Quality (DWQ), and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), with active participation of several other state and federal agencies, established the North Carolina Wetland Functional Assessment Team (WFAT) to address and develop rapid and accurate wetland functional assessment methods (both geographic information systems [GIS]-based and field-based) for North Carolina. The WFAT includes representatives of 11 signatory agencies who are defining the system by which wetland impacts and mitigation will be judged throughout the state. Subsequently, a stream functional assessment team (SFAT) was also developed to develop a similar methodology for North Carolina streams.

Atkins was selected as the preferred consultant to assist with this development process. Our firm has arranged site visits, prepared technical support materials, and written project documentation as key members of the WFAT and SFAT teams. Wetland and stream functional evaluations are being reported for each function and for overall value on a high, medium, or low scale. The WFAT and SFAT designed the evaluations to make comparisons within general wetland and stream types only. The relevant permitting agency will decide when comparisons between wetland and stream types are appropriate. The methodology is designed to take no more than 15 minutes to implement in the field by a trained individual. A Wetland Assessment Methodology (WAM) manual has been developed, and Atkins professionals are now involved in the field testing and agency training. A similar process will be undertaken for streams. The project received the Department of the Army, Commander's Award for Public Service from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Wilmington District.

• Ecological services
• Environmental planning

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