Army Corp. Research Botanist to Discuss Wetland Plant List

March 18, 2015

As part of its weekly seminar series, ODU's Department of Biological Sciences on Friday, March 27 will host a presentation by Robert Lichvar, a research botanist who heads the National Wetland Plant List for the US Army Corps of Engineers.

Lichvar will speak on the topic: "Is There Any Science Behind the Wetland Plant List?" The seminar, which is free and open to the public, begins at 3 p.m. in room 101 of the Mills Godwin Life Sciences Building.

The National Wetland Plant List is used, along with other factors such as drainage and soil type, to help determine whether property is classified as wetlands for regulatory purposes of the federal Clean Water Act. The list also is used by state agencies.

The Corps of Engineers manages the process that identifies wetlands, in consultation with the Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service.