undifferentiated soils that vary in color and depth and a few areas of

undifferentiated soils that vary in color and depth and a few
areas of soils that do not have stones on the surface.
Runoff is rapid to very rapid. Erosion is a hazard. This soil is
nor suitable for cultivation because of very steep slopes and the
large amount of stones on the surface. The root zone is
restricted by the indurated caliche. Workability is poor. Long
periods of drought are common in most years. There are very
few adapted species of grasses and trees on this soil because of
low rainfall and the high content of calcium carbonated.
Seeding and fertilizing are not practical.
The layout,
construction, and maintenance of ditches are difficult and
costly.
Most of the acreage is in brush. Clearing this brushy land for
use as pasture is costly. In a few areas, however, this soil is
used as native pasture.
This soil is not suitable for cultivation because of slope, the
erosion hazard, and the large amount of stones on the surface.
It should be maintained in permanent vegetation to control
erosion.
Capability unit VIIs-2; not in a woodland suitability group.
YcB – Yauco silty clay
This is a gently sloping soil on foot slopes in the semiarid area.
This soil generally is below the limestone hills and the areas
about 20 to 50 acres in size. This is the soil described as
representative of the series.
Included in mapping are a few areas of soils that have about 10
to 15 percent cobbles on the surface and some narrow strips of
soils that are deeper to soft limestone than Yauco soil.
Runoff is slow. Erosion is a hazard, and it needs to be
controlled is cultivated crops are grown. Land leveling or
smoothing can expose the soft limestone at the surface.
Irrigation is needed on this soil because of low, poorly
distributed rainfall. Long periods of drought are common in
most years from December to April.
The root zone is somewhat restricted by the high content of
carbonates below the surface layer. Few food crops and grasses
can adapt to this soil because of low rainfall and the high
content of carbonates.
34
Most of the acreage is used as native pasture because water of
irritation is not available. In areas that are irrigated this soil is
in sugarcane, which is the best adapted crop. Guinea grass and
Angleton grass are among the best adapted grasses. Capability
units IIIe-4, irrigated, and IVc-3, nonirrigated; woodland
suitability group 2o1.
Wetland Area
Figure 10
Soil Map – Juana Díaz Area
Gasoducto del Sur Project
Tallaboa Ward to Aguirre Ward
Puerto Rico
The soils of Humacao Area are described as follows:
AmC2-Amelia gravelly clay loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes.
This soil is on foot slopes in the semiarid part of the survey
area. It has the profile described as representative of the Amelia
series. Included with this soil in mapping were small areas of
Guayama, Descalabrado, and Jacana soils. This soil has severe
35
limitations for farming because it has a low available water
capacity, low fertility and gravelly texture and because the
climate is semiarid. Because of slope and the hazard of erosion,
the soil requires special conservation practices. This soil has
been in pasture and sugarcane. If it is irrigated, it is better suited
to sugarcane that to most other uses. Capability unit; IVe-8.
Ce-Cartagena clay
This nearly level to gently sloping soil is on alluvial fans.
Included with it in mapping were small areas of Fraternidad
soils. This soil has severe limitation for farming because it is
somewhat poorly drained and managed; it is suited to sugarcane
and grasses. Capability units IIIc-1 nonirrigated and IIs-1
irrigated.
DeE2 – Descalabrado clay loam, 20 to 40 percent slopes,
eroded.
This soil is on mountain side slopes and ridgetops in the
semiarid volcanic uplands. It has the profile described as
representative of the Descalabrado series. Included with this
soil in mapping were small areas of Guayama soils and Rock
land. Steep slopes, shallowness to bedrock, rapid runoff, low
rainfall, and the hazard of erosion are severe limitations for
farming. This soil is limited to pasture grazing and wildlife food
and cover. Stocking rates should be controlled to avoid
overgrazing and control erosion. The soil has been in pasture
and brush for many years. It is better suited to grazing than to
most other uses. Capability unit VIIs-4; woodland suitability
group 3d5.
DeC2- Descalabrado clay loam, 5 to 12 percent slopes,
eroded.
This soil is on mountain side slopes. It occupies lower positions
and has a thicker surface layer than the soil having the profile
described as representative of the Descalabrado series. This
soil has severe limitations for farming because it is shallow to
rock and rainfall is low. It is suited to pasture. Capability unit
IVs-2; woodland suitability group 3d5.
FrA-Fraternidad clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes.
36
This soil is on alluvial fans and terraces in the semiarid coastal
plains. It has the profile described as representative of the
series. Included with this soil in mapping were small areas of
Paso Seco and Cartagena soils. Slow permeability, poor
workability, and low rainfall are moderate limitations for
farming. This soil has been used for food crops, sorghum,
sugarcane, and pasture. Capability units IIIc-1 nonirrigated and
IIs-1 irrigated.
Gm-Guamani silty clay loam
This nearly level soil is on river flood plains. Included with it in
mapping were small areas of Vives soils, high bottom, and
Arenales soils. This soil has severe limitations for crops
because it is shallow and has a low available water capacity and
because rainfall is low. Deep cuts cannot be made to level the
soil; shallow gravelly strata limit the construction of irrigation
channels and irrigation reservoirs. Controlled irrigation
practices are needed for proper farm management. It the soil is
irrigated, it is suited to sugarcane and pasture. Capability unit
IVc-1 nonirrigated and IIIs-2 irrigated.
JaC2-Jacana clay, 5 to 13 percent slopes, eroded.
This soil occupies foot slopes and low rolling hills in the
semiarid area. Its profile is similar to the one described as
representative of the Jacana series, but some of the surface layer
of the dark grayish-brown clay has been removed by erosion,
and in most places this layer has been mixed with the subsoil by
plowing. Small areas of Descalabrado soils were included with
this soil in mapping. This soil has severe limitations for
farming because of moderate slopes, the hazard of erosion, and
poor workability. Also, rainfall is low in the area. Good
management and conservation practices are required to slow
surface runoff. This soil is suited to pasture, and it has been
pastured for many years. Capability unit IVe-4; woodland
suitability group 3d5.
MrB-Meros sand, 1 to 6 percent slopes.
This soil is along the coast at an elevation in the semiarid area.
Included with it in mapping were small areas of Coastal
beaches and Tidal flats. This soil is not suited to cultivated
37
crops. Low available water capacity, very low fertility, and
rapid permeability are severe limitations, and rainfall is low.
The soil is suitable for pasture, coconut trees, and wildlife food
cover. Capability unit VIIs-7.
Po-Poncena clay
This nearly level soil is on coastal plains in the semiarid part of
the survey area. Included with it in mapping were areas of
Cartagena and Vayas soils. Low rainfall in the area and the
soil’s slow permeability, high shrink-swell potential, and
seasonal high water table are severe limitations for farming.
This soil has been used for sugarcane. If drained, irrigated, and
properly managed, it is suited to cultivated crops, sugarcane,
and pasture. Capability units IIIc-1 nonirrigated and IIs-1
irrigated.
Vc-Vayas silty clay, frequently flooded
This nearly level soil is on river flood plains. It has the Profile
described as representative of the series. Included with this soil
in mapping were areas of Cartagena and Vives soils. The
hazard of flooding, poor drainage, slow permeability, and poor
workability are moderate limitations for farming. If the soil is
properly drained and managed, it is suited to sugarcane, cut
grasses, and pasture. Capability units IIw-4 nonirrigated and
IIw-4 irrigated.
Vs- Vives silty clay loam, high bottom.
This nearly level soil is on river flood plains in the semiarid
part of the survey area. Included with it in mapping were areas
of Arenales and Guamani soils. This soil has moderate
limitations for farming because rainfall is low. Most of the
acreage is in sugarcane. If the soil is properly irrigated and
managed, it is suited to many kinds of crops and to sugarcane
and irrigated. Capability units IIc-1 nonirrigated and 1-3
irrigated.
38
6.0
HYDRIC SOILS
According to the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils
(NTCHS) the Hydric soils are defined as soils that were formed under
conditions of saturation, flooding, or pending long enough during the
growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part (Federal
Register, 1994). These soils are either saturated or inundated long enough
during the growing season to support the growth and reproduction of
hydrophytes vegetation.
The NTCHS definition identifies general soil properties that are
associated with wetness. In order to determine if a specific soil is a hydric
soil or nonhydric soil, however, more specific information, such as depth
and duration of the water table, is needed. Thus, criteria to identify
properties unique to hydric soils have been established (Federal Register,
1995). These criteria are used to identify a soil series that normally is
associated with wetlands, the criteria is selected reviewing the properties
described in the "Soil Taxonomy" (USDA, 1999) and "Keys to Soil
Taxonomy"' (USDA, 1998) and in the "Soil Survey Manual" (USDA, 1993).
A hydric soil is a soil that is saturated, flooded, or ponded long
enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions that
favor the growth and regeneration of hydrophytic vegetation (US
Department of Agriculture (USDA) Soil Conservation Service (SCS) 1985,
as amended by the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soil (NTCHS)
in December 1986. The indicators used to make onsite determinations of
hydric soils in Puerto Rico are specified in "Field Indicators of Hydric Soils
in the United States" (Hurt and others, 1996).
As stated in the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil
Map and the Hydric Soil List, developed for Puerto Rico, fifteen of these
soils are listed as Hydric Soils (USDANRCS, 2005). Their classification is
as follows:
Cr, Ct, Cx, Jg and Ma soils are classified as flood plains, frequently
ponded for very long duration during the growing season. Ce, FrA, FtB and
PaB soils are found in depressions and are frequently ponded for very long
39
duration during the growing season or are poorly drained and have a water
table at the surface (0.0 ft) during the growing season.
The Hz saline is found on tidal flats and are poorly drained or very
poorly drained and have a water table at a depth of 0.5 foot or less during the
growing season if permeability is less that 6.0 in/hr in all layers within a
depth of 20 inch.
The Sa soil is found on flood plains and it is frequently flooded for
long to very long duration during the growing season.
The MrB, Te and the Tf soils are found on tidal flat are poorly
drained or very poorly drained and have a water table at a depth of 1.0 foot
or less during the growing season if permeability is less that 6.0 in/hr in all
layers within a depth of 20 inches.
Po soil type is found on coastal plains and is poorly drained or very
poorly drained and have a water table at a depth of 1.0 foot or less during the
growing season if permeability is less that 6.0 in/hr in all layers within a
depth of 20 inches, it is frequently flooded for long to very long duration
during the growing season.
40
7.0
VEGETATION
According to the Wetland Delineation Manual, hydrophytic
vegetation is defined as the sum of the total macrophyte plant life growing in
water, soil or on substrate that is at least periodically deficient in oxygen as a
result of excessive water content.
The vegetation in the wetland consists of one or more plant
association. Therefore, it is mandatory to consider plant species dominance
among other things to determine if a particular area is dominated by
hydrophytic vegetation. Dominate plants species were selected
independently from each stratum of the plant community. Various measures
were used to express the relative dominance of the plant species in the
community:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Estimating those species having the greatest relative basal areas
for the tree strata.
Percent of aerial cover for herbs stratum.
Stem density for shrubs/samplings and weedy vines strata.
Frequency of occurrence (percentage of sampling points that
contain the species of interest).
For wetland determinations, vegetation samples were inspected
visually, keeping in mind one or more for the dominance measures described
above.
Various types of plant associations were identified within the
surveyed area. The grassland was dominated by several species including:
Cyperus papyrus, Acrostichum aureum, Ruellia tuberosa, Cryptostegia
grandiflora and Malachra alceifolia. Ricinus comunis, Guazuma ulmifolia,
Pithecellobium dulce and Leucaena leucocephala shrubs were found along
the site. The plants that were found in the sampling points are listed in the
following table.
41
Table 2. Plants Identified at the Sampling Points.
42
Common Name in
Spanish
Regional Indicator
Aroma
NI
Helecho de pantano
OBL
Aeschynomene sensitiva Sw.
Moriviví bobo
OBL
Avicennia germinans (L.) L.
Mangle Negro
OBL
Batis maritima L.
Planta de Sal
FACW
Cohitre azul
Alamanda morada
falsa
FAC
FACW
Junco cimarrón
OBL
Cyperus ligularis L.
Junco
FAC
Cyperus odoratus L.
N/A
FACW+
Cyperus papyrus L.
Papiro
FACW
Echinocloa colonum(L.) Link.
Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.)
Solms-Laub.
Arrocillo
Jacinto común de
agua
FACW
Heliotropium curassavicum L.
Cotorrera de playa
FACW
Ipomoea alba L.
Bejuco de vaca
FACW
Jasminum fluminense Vell.
Laguncularia racemosa (L.)
Gaertn.
Ludwidgia octovalvis (Jacq.)
Raven
Jazmín oloroso
NI
Mangle Blanco
OBL
Cangá
OBL
Scientific name
Acacia farnesiana (L.) Willd
Acrostichum aureum L.
Commelina erecta L.
Cryptostegia grandiflora R. Brown
Cyperus articulatus L.
43
OBL
Table 2, continued. Plants Identified at the Sampling Points.
Common Name in
Spanish
Regional Indicator
Macroptilium lathyroides (L.)
Urban
Látiros de pasto
FACU
Malachra alceifolia Jacquin
Malva de caballo
OBL
Mimosa negra
FACW
Mitreword
OBL
Cundeamor
FAC
Parcha cimarrona
FAC
Yerba merker
FAC
Mangle rojo
OBL
Ricinus comunis L.
Higuereta
FAC
Roystonea borinquena O.F. Cook
Palma real
FAC
Ruellia tuberosa L.
Many-roots
FACU
Sesbania sericea (Willd.) Link.
Papagayo
FACW
Sesuvium portulacastrum (L.) L.
Verdolaga rosada
FACW
Solanum torvum Sw.
Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (L.)
Vahl
Thespesia populnea (L.) Solander
ex Correa
Berenjena cimarrona
NI
Verbena
FACU
Emajagüilla
FAC
Enea
OBL
Scientific name
Mimosa pigra L.
Mitreola petiolata (J.F. Gmel)
Torr. & Gray
Momordica charantia L.
Passiflora maliformis L.
Pennisetum purpureum K.
Schumach.
Rhizophora mangle L.
Typha domingensis Pers.
Obl-Obligate wetland, FAC-facultative, FACU-facultative upland, FACW-facultative wetland,
NI-no indicator
44
8.0
JURISDICTIONAL DETERMINATION
The scope of Jurisdictional Determination under the Section 404 of
the Clean Water Act has changed. On June 2007, US Environmental
Protection Agency and the US Army Corps of Engineers announced the
issuance of a guidance concerning the issuance of a guidance concerning the
jurisdiction over wetlands.
The guidance claim jurisdictional over the following waters:
• Traditional navigable waters (TNWs)
• Wetland adjacent to traditional navigable waters
• Relative permanent non-navigable tributaries of traditional
navigable waters
• Wetlands directly abutting relatively permanent non-navigable
tributaries
The jurisdiction over wetlands requires a “significant nexus” to
navigable waters. The significant nexus should consider the hydrologic and
ecological factors of the wetland as well as the volume, duration and
frequency of the flow of water in the tributary and the proximity to wetlands.
It was the purpose of this report to determine if there is a significant
nexus between wetland areas and navigable waters.
45
9.0
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION
The majority of this project will be done on a very flat topography
with easy access for construction; the portions of mountain range are the
area at Encarnacion and Canas wards. A large percentage of this route is in
previously disturbed areas and the construction of the pipeline will result in
small amounts of land disturbance.
The wetland conditions of the identified zones were confirmed by the
observation of the hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soil, the presence of water
in the channels/ditches, hydrologic and/or soils characteristic of the site. As
a result of the changes made in the route only one zone, located in Juana
Diaz, was characterized as wetland.
The wetland was identified near Mile Post 20.3. The dominant
species in this area were Cyperus papyrus, Acrostichum aureum, Ruellia
tuberosa. In the areas adjacent to this wetland this species were observed:
Cryptostegia grandiflora, Malachra alceifolia, Guazuma ulmifolia,
Pithecellobium dulce. This wetland has an extension of 0.3443 acres
(0.3545 cuerdas), is geographically isolated from traditional navigable
waters and do not have a significant nexus with Traditional Navigable
Waters.
Based on the guidance concerning the jurisdictional claim over waters
this project will affect relative permanent non-navigable tributaries of
Traditional Navigable Waters (TNWs). Thirteen non-navigable tributaries
of TNWs will be impacted. These non-navigable tributaries are eleven
rivers and two channels that flow directly to TNWs.
There is no Traditional Navigable Waters, wetlands abutting to them;
or wetlands directly abutting relatively permanent non-navigable tributaries
along the route.
46
10.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
Acevedo-Rodríguez, P. & R.O. Woodbury. 1985. Los Bejucos de Puerto Rico.
Vol. 1 Gen. Tech. Rep. SO-58. New Orleans, LA. US. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Forest Experimental Station, 331pp.
Brinson M. M. 1993. A Hydrogeomorphic Classification for Wetlands Technical
Report WRP-DE-4, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station,
Vichsburg, MS.
Cowardin, Lewis M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet & E.T. La Roe. 1979. Classification
of Wetland and Deep water Habitats of the United State, U.S. Department of the
Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service, of Biological Service, Wash. D.C.
Del Llano, Manuel, R.O. Woodbury & J Toro. 1982. Guía de los terrenos
anegados de P.R., P.R. Departamento de Recursos Naturales y Ambientales San
Juan, P.R.
Environmental Laboratory. 1978. Preliminary Guide to Wetland of P.R., Tech.
Report Y-78-3, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experimental Station,
Vicksburg, Miss. 77pp.
-----. 2002. Hydric Soil Interpretations Section II: Natural Resources Information.
-----. 1987. Corp of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual, Tech. Report Y-871, U.S. Army Waterways Experimental Station, Vicksburg, Miss. 169pp.
García Molinari, O. & E. Mas. 2006. Guía Ilustrada de Yerbas Comunes en
Puerto Rico. Servicio de Extensión Agrícola, Universidad de P. R. 103pp.
-----. 1952. Grasslands and Grasses of Puerto Rico. Agricultural Experiment
Station, Bull. 102. University of Puerto Rico. 167pp.
Liogier, H. A. & L. F. Martorell. 1982. Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent
Islands: A systematic Synopsis. Editorial Universidad de P.R., 342pp.
-----. 1985. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands Vol. 1
Casuarinaceae to Connraceae. Editorial Universidad de P.R., 352pp.
-----. 1988. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands Vol. 2
Leguminosae to Anacardiaceae. Editorial Universidad de P.R., 481pp.
47
-----. 1994. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands Vol. 3
Cryllaceae to Myrtaceae. Editorial Universidad de P.R., 461pp.
-----. 1995. Descriptive Flora of Puerto Rico and Adjacent Islands Vol. 4
Melastomataceae to Lentibulariaceae. Editorial Universidad de P.R., 617pp.
Little, E. L., & F. H. Wadsworth. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No. 249:1-548.
-----. R.O. Woodbury, F.H. Wadsworth. 1974. Trees of Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands. Vol. 2 U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook No.
449:1024.
Martorell, L.F., A.H. Liogier & R.O. Woodbury. 1981. Catálogo de los Nombres
Vulgares y Científicos de las Plantas de Puerto Rico. Estación Experimental
Agrícola, Universidad de P.R. 231pp.
Munsell Soil Color Charts. 2000. GretagMacbeth, New Windsor, NY
Reed, P.B. Jr. 1995. Revision to the National List of Plant Species that Occur in
Wetland: Caribbean (Region C). U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Supplement to
Biological, Rep. 88 (26.12) 69pp.
Tiner, R.W. 1990. The Concept of a Hydrophytes for Wetland Identification.
BioScience Vol. 41 No. 4
USDA. Soil Conservation Service. 1979. Soil Survey of Ponce Area of Southern
Puerto Rico. 80 pp.
USDA. Soil Conservation Service. 1977. Soil Survey of Humacao Area of
Eastern Puerto Rico.113 pp.
USDA. Soil Conservation Service. 1984. U.S.D.A. Agriculture information
Bulletin No. 460
USDA. Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2005. Hydric Soil of the
Caribbean Area. 40 pp
48
APPENDIX
49
APPENDIX A
National Wetland Inventory Maps
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60