We highly recommend that those who use this tool take the training we provide through the Coastal Training Program. We offer one-day and two-day classes on the 2014 wetland rating system updates.
Note: If you have taken the two-day training on the 2004 rating system and the one-day training on the Credit / Debit Method, we will consider you to be trained in the updated rating systems.The new questions in the updates are the same as in the Credit / Debit Method.
Our recommendations for buffers are based, in part, on the category of wetland and scores for functions. The 2014 version of the rating systems keeps the same four wetland categories as the 2004 version but the scale of scores has been adjusted.
This means the buffer guidance for critical areas ordinances (CAOs) or shoreline master programs (SMPs) based on scores for functions will need to be adjusted to reflect the new range. For example, in the 2004 version of the rating system, the high score range for habitat was 29-36. However, under the 2014 version, it is now 8-9. See the score translation tables below.
Tables for translating category scores
| Category |
2004
Score Range |
Western WA
2014 Score Range |
Eastern WA
2014 Score Range |
| I |
> 70 |
23-27 |
22-27 |
| II |
51-69 |
20-22 |
19-21 |
| III |
30-50 |
16-19 |
16-18 |
| IV |
< 30 |
9-15 |
9-15 |
Tables for translating function scores
| Function scores |
2004
Score Range |
2014
Score Range |
| Habitat — High |
29-36 |
8-9 |
| Habitat — Medium |
20-28 |
5-7
(July 2018 modified to 6-7)* |
| Habitat — Low |
< 19 |
3-4
(July 2018 modified to 3-5)* |
| Water quality — High |
24-32 |
8-9 |
*Based on a review of the rating system reference wetland data, Ecology adjusted the ranges for the habitat scores.
We use the term "Wetland of High Conservation Value" (WHCV) to describe a wetland that supports rare species or a rare or high-quality ecosystem type. These are known and historical locations of:
We consider all wetlands that have overlap occurrences of rare species or rare ecosystem types, regardless of their condition, to be WHCV. Occurrences of wetlands with common ecosystem types are WHCV only if they're in good-to-excellent condition, as determined by the WNHP (e.g., high-quality ecosystems).
The WNHP Data Explorer shows known and historical locations of rare plants, as well as rare and high-quality ecosystems.
Historical data are records where species haven't been observed in over 40 years, but the area may not have been surveyed during that time. Historical data indicate the potential for rare plants to occur in the area, and they're considered when applying a wetland rating.
If a "known or historical rare plants and rare and high-quality ecosystems" polygon overlaps the wetland that you're rating, you'll need to look at the Element Occurrence Precision field in the pop-up box for the polygon to determine if its precision level is general, minute, or second.
If any part of a wetland overlaps data from any known or historical polygon with second-level accuracy, regardless of the plants’ wetland indicator status rating, the wetland meets the criteria for WHCV in the Washington Wetland Rating Systems, and that wetland is a Category I.
When assessing for the presence of rare plants or plant communities, consider known and historical data with minute-level accuracy. These larger polygons do give uncertainty in location and will require follow-up to determine the presence of these elements.
Treat known and historical data with a general-level accuracy, like mapped Priority Habitats, where the mapped location is an indicator to look for presence in the field.
If the data are for a polygon of a lichen or other nonvascular species at the general or minute level of accuracy, we currently don't have the resources or availability of skilled lichenologists to support determinations of the species presence, and we don't expect these to be considered when scoring wetland ratings at this time.
By categorizing these wetlands as Category I, we're trying to provide an important and high level of protection to these vital and rare wetlands. These natural systems and species will survive in Washington only if we give them special attention and protection.