The rating system categorizes wetlands into four categories based on wetland functions, sensitivity to disturbance, rarity, and the ability to replace them. There are separate rating systems for wetlands located in Eastern Washington and Western Washington.
For more information about rating wetlands, go to https://ecology.wa.gov/Water-Shorelines/Wetlands/Tools-resources/Rating-systems.
Definition(s):
· Wetland: An area that is inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation adapted for life in saturated soil conditions. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas.