§ 26-529. Definitions.

All words in these standards have their customary dictionary definitions except as specifically defined herein. The words "shall" and "must" are mandatory, and the words "may" and "should" are permissive.

"Anaerobic" means not having molecular oxygen (O ₂ ) present.

"Applicant" means any person who seeks permission to engage in any regulated activity on any land that contains wetland areas, as those terms are defined herein.

"COE" means United States Army Corps of Engineers.

"Director" means the Director or his/her designee of the Fulton County Department of Environment and Community Development.

"Generalized Wetlands Map" means the latest edition of the Fulton County Government maps for unincorporated Fulton County, Georgia generated from National Wetlands Inventory mapping.

"Hydrophytic vegetation" means any plant growing in water or in soil that is at least periodically anaerobic as a result of saturation; plants typically found in wet habitats.

"Jurisdictional wetlands determination" means a delineation of jurisdictional wetlands boundaries by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as required by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. §1344, as amended).

"Jurisdictional wetlands" means a wetlands area that meets the definitional requirements for wetlands as determined by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

"National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) maps" means a series of maps produced by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service showing the location and classification of wetlands in standard topographical areas. A wetlands inventory area does not necessarily represent jurisdictional wetlands and shall not serve as a substitute for a jurisdictional wetland determination or a wetland delineation.

"Regulated activity" means any activity which will, or which may reasonably be expected to result in the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States excepting those activities exempted in Section 404 of the Federal Clean Water Act.

"Wetlands" as defined by the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Environmental Protection Agency means an area that is inundated or saturated by surfacewater or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly know as hydrophytic vegetation. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and similar areas. The ecological parameters for designating wetlands include hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation, and hydrological conditions that involve a temporary or permanent sources of water to cause soil saturation.

"Wetlands delineation" means the establishment of wetlands boundaries by a representative of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, an authority designated by the COE, or the director, as required by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, (33 U.S.C. §1344), as amended. Wetlands shall be delineated on the basis of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils, and wetlands hydrology, in accordance with the techniques outlined in the COE, Wetlands Delineation Manual (Technical Report Y-87-1, January 1987).

(Ord. No. 02-0711, § 3, 6-19-02)