Soil Testing

State of Connecticut

In Connecticut, wetland boundaries must be assessed by a credentialed Connecticut Professional Soil Scientist (ideally, one who is also a Professional Wetland Scientist). The firm's professionals have specialized training and the necessary experience to perform extensive soil testing that leads to the creation of a detailed and complete wetland impact analysis that meets the requirements of all pertinent local, state and federal authorities.

The Process

LANDTECH Senior Associate Chris Allan typically begins each project by consulting with the client to determine project needs. An onsite visit is scheduled to inspect site characteristics and perform initial soil tests. These tests include extracting augured soil cores which are reviewed for signs of wetland soil. Using these cores as a guide, boundaries of identified wetland are flagged across the site. The findings are compiled with other on-site observations into a formal report which includes mapping of wetland. The report and map are relied upon as a basis for the permitting process for the project. If it's determined that there is no wetland or watercourse in evidence, the report certifies this as well.

About Connecticut’s Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act (IWWA)

In 1972, recognizing the importance of inland wetlands and watercourses, Connecticut’s legislature enacted the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Act (IWWA). This act defines Connecticut “wetlands” as land consisting of soil types designated as poorly drained, very poorly drained, alluvial, and floodplain. These designations follow guidelines estabished by the National Cooperative Soils Survey.

Connecticut “watercourses” are defined as rivers, streams, brooks, waterways, lakes, ponds, drainage swales, and all other bodies of water, natural or artificial, vernal or intermittent, public or private. Watercourse regulations vary from location to location. Properly evaluating a particular property for wetland soil or watercourses is one of the first and most important steps of any project. Since the Connecticut IWWA uses a soil-based definition of wetland, a Professional Soil Scientist is needed to determine and delineate such wetland.

The qualification standard for Professional Soil Scientist includes: