United St*M
Environmental Protection
Ag«ncy
Office of Water (WH-556F).
Office of Wetlands, Oceans,
and Watersheds (A-104 F)
EPAS43-F-93-001U
March 1993
&EPA WETLANDS FACT SHEET # 21
State, Tribal, Local and Regional
Roles in Wetlands Protection
Many of the factors that are attributed to
wetlands degradation and loss can be addressed
at the State or local level States, Indian Tribes,
and local governments are becoming more in-
terested and active in comprehensive wetlands
protection through the authorities granted to
them in the Clean Water Act and existing State
legislation.
All levels of government must work together
to determine how to best protect wetland re
sources and what the appropriate roles and
programs are for Federal, State, and local gov-
ernments. Thus, EPA is supporting the strength-
ening of State, Tribal, and local roles in wetlands
protection.
Current Opportunities
Section 404 Program
One of the ways States and Indian Tribes can
strengthen their role in wetlands protection is
by assuming permitting authority under the
dean Water Act Section 404 program. To date,
only Michigan has assumed this program, which
regulates the discharge of dredged and fill ma-
terial in wetlands and other waters. Reasons
cited for limited State interest in program as-
sumption include:
• having to share jurisdiction with the Army
Corps of Engineers;
• the lack of Federal funding;
• the degree of Federal oversight allowed;
• burdensome program requirements;
• the lack of inland wetland protection
programs in all States; and
• the availability of other less controversial
opportunities for States to be involved in
wetlands protection.
Florida, New Jersey, and Delaware are cur-
rently pursuing Section 404 assumption. EPA is
working to assist these and other States inter-
ested in assumption.
Other Programs
Other strategies available to States and In-
dian Tribes to strengthen their role in wetlands
protection include:
• undertaking comprehensive State Wetland
Conservation Plans;
• obtaining State Program General Permits
from the Corps for discharges of dredged
and fill material in wetlands;
• promulgating wetland water quality
standards;
• applying the Clean Water Act Section 401
Water Quality Certification program more
specifically to wetlands; and
• incorporating wetlands protection into other
State water programs.
Financial assistance is available from EPA to
pursue many of these activities through EPA's
State Wetlands Protection Development Grant
Program. EPA also helps by providing informa-
tion and program guidance and by sponsoring
national forums on State program development
Regional and local participation in wetland
protection can also be strengthened through
geographically-targeted comprehensive re-
source planning, such as multi-objective river
corridor management, watershed protection
"approaches and advance identification of suit-
able and unsuitable sites for discharges.
Foe nntiiei infomuttu
* contractor operated
. contact the EPA Wetlands Hotline: 1-800-832-7828 *
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