Commonly referred to as nature's kidneys; wetlands provide essential benefits to the people and the environment of the United States. Once regarded as wastelands, wetlands were destroyed at an alarming rate. Eventually, the natural value of wetlands was realized, and concerned citizens and scientists persuaded our federal and state governments to enact policies and laws to protect these vital organs of the Earth.

However, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) and Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) recently proposed policy and issued guidance to their field and enforcement personnel that weakens federal protection for wetlands. This would leave valuable wetlands in a precarious position and make them more vulnerable to damage or complete destruction from filling, draining and pollutant discharges.

Wetlands are the transitional lands between terrestrial and aquatic systems with the water table at or rear of the surface. Wetlands are found throughout the world. They take many forms and may be freshwater wetlands or saltwater wetlands. They are referred to by names including swamps, marshes, bogs, mires, wet meadows, intermittent streams and ponds, mudflats, sandflats and fens.

Wetlands protect water supplies by intercepting polluted runoff before lakes, rivers, coastal estuaries and aquifers are impacted. Filtration of pollutants is a natural function of wetland ecosystems, improving water quality. They protect drinking water supplies by absorbing contaminants such as pesticides and nitrogen.

Wetlands preserve biodiversity by providing unique habitat to countless species of fish, wildlife and plants. Some animals spend their entire life in wetlands, while others utilize these areas as feeding, breeding and nesting grounds. More than half of all threatened or endangered species depend on wetlands during their lifecycle. Billions of dollars in property damage are saved annually by wetlands buffering storm water and absorbing floodwaters.

Wetlands yield economic benefits by providing essential spawning grounds for commercially valuable fish and shellfish. They also provide essential tourism dollars from aesthetic and recreational opportunities including bird watching and fishing.

Presently, many states wetland policies are nebulous because of inconsistencies in federal and state regulations. Under current law, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) regulates wetlands that have been mapped and are at least 12.4 acres, except in the Adirondack Park where wetlands are regulated down to one acre. The 12.4-acre size was included in the authorizing legislation as a political compromise and was determined independent of ecological value. Recently proposed federal policy and guidance would leave some previously regulated wetlands without protection. Many states wetlands, independent of size, need to be protected from degradation due to draining, filling or pollution. Unfortunately there are many states that cannot depend on the federal government to protect the health of their wetlands.

In New York State, Governor George Pataki has the ability to direct the commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDED) to provide the necessary protection for wetlands of all sizes throughout the state, not just those 12.4 acres or larger! Governors of states from coast to coast have the same ability to direct their commissioners to provide protection to their states wetlands.

Residence of New York State can write a letter to Governor Pataki and urge him to protection the water quality, valuable wildlife habitat and property from flood damage by directing the commissioner of the NYSDEC to protect wetlands of all sizes. Residence of any state can write to their governor urging the same protection to their wetlands.

The environmental issues for this story have been taken from a report published by the Citizens Campaign for the Environment (CCEO and from a conversation with a (CCE) volunteer.

John H. Meyer