Wetland Delineation Professional Assurance Initiative
Consistent with Wisconsin's goals of protecting wetlands and increasing government efficiency, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR); pursuant to S. 23.231 (2d) Wis. Stats.; has implemented a program to review reports from professionals who conduct wetland delineations to assure the work is meeting established criteria. This program provides a high level of certainty about wetland boundaries for project planning and save time in state review of wetland boundaries while enhancing protection for Wisconsin’s wetlands through more accurate wetland boundaries overall.
Wetland professionals may submit a request for assurance on an annual basis during the application window. Assurance is voluntary, and it is neither a requirement for conducting wetland delineation work nor a requirement for state permitting.
Assurance also does not change the need for or decisions about state wetland fill permits or locally required permits in shoreland zones. The regulatory agencies, including the DNR and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, hold final jurisdictional determination for wetland boundaries and permit decisions.
Assured Wetland Professionals
The individuals listed on the PDF below are recognized by the DNR as having assured wetland delineator status for purposes of Waterways Program wetland permits and state-mandated local programs. Confirmation from the DNR is not needed for individual wetland delineations, and state permit decision delays are unlikely for sites at which these individuals are the lead field delineator and report author. Assurance does not change the permit application requirements nor permit decisions for wetland fill.
Become an Assured Delineator
New Candidate Application
The DNR welcomes requests from professionals interested in having their wetland delineation work assured. Professional assurance is given for individuals, not for firms. Each person interested in professional assurance must include the following in their application submittal: See wetland delineator application requirements for full details (update to requirements coming prior to September 2026 application window).
- A resume including education, training and work experience relevant to wetland delineation which indicates that minimum qualifications are met
- Transcripts of courses taken relevant to wetland delineation
- Six wetland delineations completed within the prior two growing seasons
- $500 application review fee
Application Review and Scoring
A Wetland Delineation Review Panel of interagency experts in soil science, plant taxonomy, hydrology and wetland delineation methods evaluates applications based on a specific set of parameters. Applications will be scored based on previous year field reviews, if applicable, as well as detailed report review using the assured delineator application scoring rubric.
Applications are accepted between Sept. 15 and Nov. 30 for the following growing season. Applications are reviewed and individual feedback is provided to applicants regardless of prior admittance to the program. If admitted to the program, assured delineators must pay a $900 program fee annually.
Continuing Assurance
Once professionally assured, a wetland delineator:
- Must abide by all items in the Program Participation Agreement,
- Is subject to continual auditing, and
- Must pay the annual $900 program fee.
Assured delineator audits consist of detailed report review and/or boundary confirmations with a DNR Wetland ID Specialist in the field. Infractions identified during audits are reviewed following the program infraction prioritization procedures, which may include removal from the program.
