FACT SHEET s»crH REGION 8 Several incentives exist to assist the agricultural community with regard to wetland protection and restoration. WHAT IS A WETLAND? A wetland is an area of land where the soils are saturated for varying periods of time during the growing season. ¦ Wetland soils contain little or no oxygen, and as a result only support plants adapted to such conditions. Cottonwoods, cattails, rushes,. Willows and sedges are examples of wetland / plants typically found in areas of the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions. Ttie-types of wetlands found iii these regions include prairie'potholes, riparian areas (wet areas near • rivers, ponds, or lakes), and wet meadows. If you would like to. learn more about wetlands on your: farm or ranch, contact the Soil Conservation Service or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.in your district. American farmers and ranchers provide our nation with an abundance of food and fiber. The agricultural community is a vital sector of the nation's economy that can benefit from wetland protection and restoration. This fact sheet provides valuable information concerning agricultural activities and wetland protection. enhance water ¦quality by absorbing and filtering harmful sediments, nutrients, and other pollutants that can contaminate surface and ground water. In addition, wetlands are an important source of surface and ground water, providing for agricul- tural needs. Wetlands increase water availability by absorbing water during wet season's and gradually releasing it during dry seasons. Similarly, wet- lands help prevent floods due.to their, ability to hold large volumes of water, releasing it slowly into surface and ground water. functions. Ann values Wetlands are diverse and complex ecosystems that have many functions and values For instance, wetlands With proper management, wetlands can also supply forage for livestock. In addition, they provide food sources and other habitat needs for a variety of wildlife, including many, species of waterfowl. Wetlands and their associ- ated open space are also valuable places for recre- ation'. People hunt, fish, boat, hike and bird-watch in wetland areas. ------- TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Several incentives exist to assist the agricultural community with, regard to wetland protection and restoration.' Leasing wetlands to hunters and bird- watchers, for example, offers financial incentive .to preserve wetlands. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Soil Conservation Service. Ducks Unlim- ited, the State Pish and Game Agency and USDA are appropriate agencies to contact if you are interested in ' financial and technical assistance! WHAT FARMERS ANI) RANCHERS NEED TO KNOW The main tool governing wetland protection is Section 404 of the nation's Glean Water Act. Section 404 regulates the discharge of dredged and fill material into the waters of the U.S., including most wetlands. Section 404 establishes a permit program to ensure that any discharges-comply ' with set Standards. The U.S. Army- Corps of Engineers and the Environ- mental Protection Agency Jointly administer this permitting process. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state agencies have, advisory roles. If you are planning to'impact wetlands •on your land, contact the Corps of Engineers office in your area and ask about the permittingrequirements that may be applicable to your project. Failure to obtain the necessary 404 • permit is subject to severe' penalties. . Farming and ranching activities generally exempt from Section 404 include ongoing; normal farming operations, such as plowing, seeding, cultivating and drainage maintenance-. In addition, maintenance and con- struction of irrigation ditches, stock ponds-and farm' roads are exempt. . Activities which convert Wetlands for such uses are typically not exempt. The Swampbuster provision of the Food Security Act of 1.985 is another regulation that relates directly ;to .the , agricultural community. This provision denies federal, farm benefits to any person who converts a wetland after December 23. 1985. Conversion includes draining, filling, leveling, dredging or any other practice for the purpose of growing Commodity crops. Wetlands converted before December ' 23, 1985 are exempt from Swamp- buster regulation. Contact your local Soil Conservation Service office for additional information. REFERENCES Agricult ure and Wetlands. Six fact sheets available from the Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (WH-556F), 401 M St.., S.W. Washing-, ton, D.C. 20460. ' Before You Alter Any Wet Agricul- tural Land...get the necessary determinations and permits. USDA Soil Conservation Service in coopera- tion with Colorado Associations of Soil Conservation Districts. 1990. The Wealth in Wetlands. A video featuring five farmers who tell why they will keep their wetlands. Avail- able for loan from the National Asso- ciation of Conservation Districts, P.O. • Box 855, League City, TX 77574. Thompson and Tyler. A Guide to Agricultural Wetlands Protection: National Governor's Association. 444 N Capitol.St;; Washington, D.C. 20001-1572. 1991. Wetlands in the Rocky Mountains and Northern Great Plains. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8 bro'ehure. 1992. A wetlands poster is available on request. U-S. Environmental Protec- ¦ tion Agency, Region 8.1992. FOR MORE INFORMATION Please contact.- EPA Wetlands Hotline 1-800-832-7828 M-F 9 a.m. to'5:30 p.m. EST. U.S. EPA Region s (8WM-WQ) 999 18th Street. Suite 500 Denver, CO 80202-2466 1-800 227-8917 SEPA ® Printed on recycled paper (100% post- consumer waste) with soy-based inks. ' ------- |