If you’d like a wetland delineation cost and you’re not interested in reading a bunch of information about how we price a project, the best thing to do is call us at (888) 216-3201. For the rest of you that are interested in the components of a wetland and how they come together to create the price for a particular job, continue on.
Wetland Delineation Cost Components
There are several components to a wetland delineation. We unbundle these components so you can buy only what you need for the specific need at hand.
- Wetland Screen – Desktop review of databases and maps to predict the probability and location of a wetland
- Upland & Wetland Field Work – Actually going to the site, inspecting, flagging, & delineating.
- Wetland Delineation Report – The work product of this kind of work is always a report of some kind. In a full delineation, this report is good enough for the Army Corp of Engineers
- Wetland Permitting – If jurisdictional wetlands are found, permit applications need to be submitted.
Each of these components build on the previous one. We start with a wetland screen. With a screen we do desk and database work to review all the available data sources and see if, on paper, the property appears to have a wetland on it. This step is quite involved and produces a report that we either give to the client (because a screen is all they wanted) or they give it to the wetland delineator to inform the field work portion of the project. To perform just the wetland screen, the cost is approximately $1000
Wetland Survey Field Work Cost
In the field portion of a wetland survey we are either determining the presence of a wetland or actually delineating it. The difference between the two is in one, if we find them, in the determination we make note of it and we are done. In the delineation, we actually find the boundary between the wetland and upland and plot a map with the data.
This part of the project is dependent on how big the project is, how many people we will need to do the work and how far from our staff the project is. It’s difficult to explain this price easily but figure if we have one person doing the wetland survey and it takes them two hours to get to the job and back from the job, their time on site is 6 hours, that would be a 10 hours of work for just the field portion. With time traveled, gas and the field work together, that would be another $1000.
Wetland Delineation Report Cost
The actual report itself is done after the field work is done. It memorializes the information learned during the field portion of the project. At this point, the wetland screen forms the first chapters of the report. The field work make up the second part of the report. The final section are the conclusions. A skilled report writer can compile this information into the proper format in roughly 8 hours. Based on what it costs for certified wetland delineators with the skills to write a report, this portion is approximately another $1000 depending on the size of the project.
Wetland Permitting Cost
The permitting part of the project is done when you submit the report to the appropriate agencies such as the county stormwater agency or the Army Corp of Engineers. We can fill out the paperwork and submit it on your behalf. We’re available to answer questions to these agencies regarding our reports. We can ask for a wetland determination letter which is the golden ticket you’ll need to start your project. This piece is usually around $600.
Wetland Delineation Cost: Bottom Line.
You are looking at a minimum of about $3500 for a full wetland delineation cost. But every project is unique and we encourage you to talk through your project with our staff. We’ll get you exactly what you need and save you money everywhere we can.
