CAMPAIGNS
Wetlands
Protection
 Commonly
referred to as nature’s kidneys, wetlands provide
essential benefits to the people and environment of
New York State. 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.
What
are wetlands?
Wetlands are the transitional lands between terrestrial
and aquatic systems with the water table at or near
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.
The
Many Benefits of Wetlands Include:
- Improving
Water Quality
- 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.
- Preserving
Biodiversity
- 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.
- Avoiding
Flood Damage
- Billions of dollars in property damage are saved
annually by wetlands buffering storm water and absorbing
floodwaters.
- Supporting
New York Industry - 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.
Why
are New York’s wetlands in danger?
Presently, New York’s wetlands protection policy
fails to protect all wetlands due to 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 New York State protects wetlands one acre in size
and greater. The 12.4-acre wetland size threshold was
included in the authorizing state legislation as a political
compromise and was determined independent of ecological
value. Until recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
(ACE) protected all smaller New York wetlands, however
federal policy and guidance changes have left some previously
regulated wetlands without protection. (Click here for more on CCE’s campaign to restore federal protection for all of waters of the United States).
New
York’s wetlands need protection NOW!
Unfortunately, New York can no longer depend
on the federal government to protect the health of our
wetlands. New York now has the weakest wetlands protection
policy in the Northeast, and therefore must take action
to restore protections for our vulnerable wetlands.
CCE will work to provide protection for
wetlands of all sizes throughout New York.
Click
here to read CCE's memo in support of wetlands protection
Click here to view more on CCE’s campaign to restore federal protection for all waters of the United States
Updated by bsmith 5/18/07
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