Anyone know anything about wetlands?

Somewhat.  I'm currently involved with a project where part of the scope was "reestablishing" a wetlands area that had been ... modified... by the construction of a military base many decades ago.   That was the part of the project we did first (a division of my company is the CM).  It looks nice now, although it is definitely a situation where it'll take a few years to not look so "constructed" if you know what I mean.  

I can probably do some more digging if you have any specific questions. 

In reply to pheller :

That's a good perspective. 
 

It's not the money. It's the legal ramifications that could come from the delays that could be created to the project because of the concern she has created in the customer. If we make the changes she is suggesting, it would mean changing the permits, extending the limits of disturbance, new engineering designs, and a new round of working with the Corps of Engineers. At least two years. 
 

It would be far easier to put it to bed and say "There is no such obligation"

In reply to SV reX :

Oh... in that case I know exactly what you're dealing with. Same project. We're restricted to a site layout because that was what got approved two years ago. Despite the fact that layout doesn't really work for what the client now wants. 

So, when they built my subdivision 20 years ago, they blocked off an area that was holding water with the black dirt they stripped from the property. When they finished building out, it became a wetland/pond area and wildlife moved in. They were going to drain it and fill it in but everyone in the neighborhood thought it was cool to have so talked the city into letting us keep it as is. They added some playground equipment and now we have a really nice place to walk the kids to to see fish birds and other animals.

Sounds like she is making a lot of money by creating a situation.  Did she sign a non disclosure?  If you cut her loose this would avoid her causing pain in the future.  Or at least give you a way of returning the pain.  My lawyer can beat up your engineer!

In reply to porschenut :

I can't let her go. She works for the "owner". 

SV reX said:

In reply to procainestart :
 

The question is simply if there is something wrong with new wetlands developing naturally outside the LoDs.

What she is saying is that there may be new wetlands forming that will become jurisdictional.  It would become a problem if someone wanted to build on that part of the property in the future.  

In reply to SV reX :

Then let the "owner" know the situation and how much it is costing in time and money.  Not your decision then, just go with the flow.  So glad I am retired, the only PITA is family members!

Tell the owner that " its easier to get forgiven than to get permission".

A lot of folks in the area know you are bringing a lot of jobs.   $$$    They will probably work with you for equable solutions.

In reply to Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) :

Highly unlikely. Neighbors are not fans. They'll try to use it in some way to sue us. (I'm not kidding)

Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) said:

Tell the owner that " its easier to get forgiven than to get permission".

In the world of wetlands, I would not advise that.  

Yeah... I was probably a little too flippant.

But, lots of high paid engineers did the design.  Lots of government people approved the plan.  Now, maybe a wrinkle is developing.  There is responsibility on both sides.  Those two parties should be able to work out a solution that will not stop a lot of jobs being created.

In reply to Purple Frog (Forum Supporter) :

Yes and no. The area under question was outside the limits of disturbance, so it was neither designed by an engineer nor review by a government person. 
 

Thanks guys. The conversation helped. I think I've got my perspective straight on this now. 

Got this from my civil engineer friend:

You should be fine with respect to wetlands but with respect to Agency engineering review I don’t think grading to a sump will be permissible.  This will likely come down to a review/analysis by design engineer of record, and what the governing agency will require.  Just because the grading is approved, if it wasn’t a pre-development condition and was created by the lines-and-grades design, then it may need to be addressed.

Hopefully that's at least a little helpful.

In reply to Duke :

Thanks Duke