Name of Class:  Wetland Delineation Training (3-Day)  USACE Northcentral and Northeast Regional Supplement

Dates: August 25-27, 2021

Location: Field-Various areas in and around Lansing

Time(s): 8:30am to 4:30pm

Instructors:  Jeff Bridgland, Keto Gyekis, Todd Losee, Michael Pennington

Cost: $350 (MWA members), $400 (non-members)

Class Description: This course is a 3-day field training covering all aspects of wetland delineation focusing on the procedures outlined in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 87 Manual and the Northcentral and Northeast and Midwest Regional Supplements.  The course will spend significant time on how to identify the criteria necessary to meet the wetland delineation standards for Wetland Hydrology, Hydric Soils, and Hydrophytic Vegetation in the field.  Participants will learn all aspects of wetland delineation including how to properly complete the Wetland Data Form and delineate a wetland. Participants will be responsible for meals and lodging. Several lodging options are available in the Lansing area.  This is a field course, participants should be prepared for varying field and weather conditions (rain gear, sunscreen, bug spray, etc.).

Note:  The course is a continuation (field portion) of MWA’s virtual delineation training that was held in April, 2021.  MWA highly recommends that participants that take this training have either taken Part 1 and/or have some experience with wetland delineation and the delineation manual. 

COVID POLICY – Only vaccinated people are encouraged to attend this class. Unvaccinated people will have to social distance and wear a mask.  Both vaccinated and non-vaccinated people will have to sign a waiver noting their vaccination status to attend the class. If participants choose not to sign a waiver noting their vaccination status, they will not be allowed to attend the class.

Instructor Bios

Jeff Bridgland – Jeff Bridgland is a Professional Wetland Scientist specializing in wetland and terrestrial habitat assessment, and is currently the Conservation Easement Coordinator for EGLE, where he works to preserve wetlands and other natural resources.  Prior to his employment with EGLE, he served as an Ecologist in the private consulting sector, and was responsible for conducting wetland delineations, Floristic Quality Assessments, habitat evaluations, T&E surveys, and land use mapping.  He has extensive field experience and a strong knowledge of Midwestern flora, and has delineated thousands of wetlands over his 20⁺ year career.  He currently assists with EGLE’s Wetland Identification Program, performing Level 2 delineations and Level 3 wetland assessments, and assists with the Wetland Monitoring Program that collects baseline vegetative and hydrologic data at wetland sites throughout Michigan.

Keto Gyekis – Keto manages the Wetland Identification Program for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE).  He travels throughout the state, from urban centers in southern Michigan to the western end of the Upper Peninsula, conducting wetland delineations and inspecting consultants’ delineations.  He conducts wetland jurisdictional determinations for the EGLE and assists staff with the wetland permit application review process and enforcement issues.  Prior to EGLE, Keto had worked as a field ecologist for a consulting firm, delineating wetlands throughout Michigan and in three other states.  He has maintained certification as a Professional Wetland Scientist.  Keto was a co-developer of the Michigan Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands and has led several trainings on wetland function and values and wetland delineation.

Todd Losee – Todd has over 23 years of experience delineating wetlands while working in the public and private sectors.  Todd served on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Supplement Development Committees for both the Midwest and Northeast Northcentral Supplements.  Prior to his current job as a private wetland consultant, Todd served as the state’s expert in wetland identification and managed the EGLE’s Wetland Identification Program and the development of the Michigan Rapid Assessment Method for wetlands (MiRAM).  He has served as an expert witness in administrative, criminal and civil wetland court cases; and he has completed hundreds of wetland delineations particularly at some of the most technically difficult and controversial sites.

Michael Pennington Michael Pennington is the Wetland Mitigation Specialist for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) Water Resources Division.   Michael serves as the program administrator for EGLE’s Wetland Mitigation Banking program and provides assistance to staff on complex wetland mitigation issues.  Michael also provides wetland education and training and he plays a pivotal role for the division by providing technical and regulatory guidance for the best protection and management of the state’s wetland resources.  Before working for the EGLE, Michael managed MDOT’s Wetland Mitigation and Wetland Banking Programs for 14 years.

Class Cancellation Notification:

Five (5) days prior to the start of class, participants will be notified of a cancellation.  The MWA Treasurer will refund 100% of the fee received to participants.

Cancellation Policy for Attendees

• Any attendee can transfer, at any time, their spot in the class to another person with no financial penalty
• Cancellation prior to14 days of the class is eligible for 100% refund of class fees
• Cancellation from 1-13 days of the class is eligible for 50% refund of class fees
• Cancellation within less than 1 day of start of the class (including during the class) is not eligible for any refund (0%), however the spot can be transferred to any other person.

Bookings