White Mountain Apache Tribe

GSS recently began Phase 1 of a two-phase wetland mapping and assessment project for the White Mountain Apache Tribe; land situated in a mountainous area east of the Tonto National Forest and northeast of Phoenix. GSS staff expect to identify and map a diversity of wetland types throughout the varied landscape. 

The first phase of the project focuses on initial wetland inventory. This includes remote detection and delineation of existing wetland features using high-resolution orthophotography and with other collateral spatial datasets, along with classification of wetland features using the FGDC Wetland Mapping Standards and an assignment of hydro-geomorphic metrics that relate to wetland function. Phase 2 will include field validation and the completion of a wetland functional assessment using the newly mapped and modern wetland data.