§ 340-12. Monitoring and inspection.

A. 

Monitoring required. The approval authority shall monitor or shall cause to have monitored activities granted permits according to the specifications set forth in the permit to determine whether the elements of the permit and mitigation plan have been met and whether the wetland acreage or buffer created replaces the wetland acreage or buffer lost. To this end, the approval authority may contract with an academic institution and independent research group or other qualified professionals at the expense of the applicant or may use its own staff expertise. Where the approval authority deems monitoring to be necessary, an applicant shall be required to post a bond.

B. 

Requirements of monitoring. The requirements for monitoring shall be specified in the permit or mitigation plan and shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) 

The time period over which compliance monitoring shall occur. Monitoring of mitigation plans shall be, at a minimum, five years after completion of all construction activity on site.

(2) 

Field measurements to verify the size and location of the impacted wetland area and the restored/replacement wetland area.

(3) 

The date of completion of the restoration/replacement.

(4) 

Field verification of the vegetative, hydrologic and soils criteria as specified in the mitigation plan and permit.