Preliminary site assessments are best used for early planning purposes. When interested in purchasing a property or when determining if a parcel could potentially work well for a project, a wetlands assessment can quickly and inexpensively provide information on the wetlands issues. A simple and affordable assessment creates more informed decisions. It also prevents the mistake of acquiring a property only to later discover that it is not able to be developed. In addition, preliminary site assessments provide supporting documentation on sites where anticipated wetlands concerns are few.

If wetlands are known to exist or already documented on a site, and further planning is necessary, the cost and time associated with a preliminary site assessment can be avoided by completing a comprehensive wetlands delineation. Wetlands delineations are required when impacts to wetlands and other waters may occur.