Trimble Partners with Timmons Group on Wetland Delineation System

SUNNYVALE, Calif., July 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB) announced today it has partnered with Timmons Group to provide an integrated system for the field collection, management, and submittal of wetland delineation data. The solution combines Trimble Mapping & GIS handheld computers with the WetCollect™ wetland delineation software from Timmons Group to comply with the reporting requirements of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE). The COE determines whether a wetland is a "water of the United States," which is regulated under the federal Clean Water Act (CWA).

Environmental professionals routinely perform wetland delineations for a variety of private, federal, state, and local clients on both small and large tracts of land. As part of this process, field data on vegetation, hydrology, and soils must be collected according to the COE1987 Wetland Delineation Manual and associated Regional Supplements.

Historically this data was collected through handwritten field notes, which were manually entered into data forms on a desktop computer and printed for submission. Now, using a combination of Trimble handheld computers with GPS and the WetCollect software, delineators can perform this process digitally in the field, leaving pen and paper behind, making the data collection and submission process more efficient and more accurate. The WetCollect system permits the user to select the proper Regional Supplement based on the user's location, ensuring the format for the collected data is correct. In addition, the system contains a built-in plant dictionary compiled from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant lists that allows queries by scientific and common name, and is region specific for species and indicator status. Returning to the office, delineators can easily upload the completed forms to a secure website where the user can edit, save, email or print the completed PDFs.

"WetCollect is designed to make wetlands delineation data collection and reporting simple and concise, and reduce cumbersome back-office workflows. Combined with Trimble GPS handhelds, the WetCollect system gives our users a completely integrated solution that can improve productivity and provide a clear return on investment," said Chris Gerecke, director of Enterprise Solutions for Timmons Group.

"We're very pleased to partner with Timmons Group to provide a solution for this important environmental issue," said Robert Laudati, marketing director for Trimble's Mapping & GIS Division. "The integrated WetCollect system allows wetland professionals and government agencies to make better, more informed decisions based on timely, accurate information."