\7CrM REGION 8 Local governments can implement conservation policies that will protect wetlands while also saving the community time and money. WHAT IS A WETLAND? A wetland is an area Of land where the soils are saturated for a period of time during the growing season. Wetland soils contain little or no oxygen, and as a result support plants adapted to this condition. In the Northern Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions, wetland plants include cattails, rushes, willows, sedges and cotton- woods. Wet mead- ows, riparian areas (wot areas near rivers, ponds,, or lakes), marshes, and prairie potholes are typical wetland habitats found in these regions. County commissioners, city councils, and planners are increasingly faced w ith making land use decisions that may involve potential impacts to wet- lands. Since local governments are.familiar with wetland resources in their communities, they are often aware of what kind of protection is needed. A comprehensive plan can integrate a wetlands conservation program into a community's growth scheme. This fact sheet provides general information about wetlands, as well as guidelines for implementing wetland management into local land use planning. VALVES AND FUNCTIONS Wetlands are dynamic, ecosystems that serve many purposes and offer many benefits to a community. Some of the tangible benefits of wetlands include flood and storm damage protection, erosion control, and water quality improvement. Wetlands also function as wildlife habitats,, and provide natural recreation and education areas. Flood and Storm Damage Pro- tection: Wetlands have the ability to hold large Volumes of water and release it slowly into surrounding surface and ground waters. During periods of flooding, storms, and high run off, wetlands can absorb water and decrease the rate of flow, preventing property damage to the community. • ¦ Erosion Control: Wet- lands can provide natural • buffers between land areas. Wetland vegetation binds soils together, decreasing erosion and promoting land stability. ------- Water Quality Improvement and Maintenance: Wetlands capture and filter sediments and nutrients that may be: harmful to surface and ground water. Oftentimes, urban wetlands act. as natural filters and reduce pollution from lawns, streets and parking lots. "Wildlife Habitat: Wetlands provide food sources and other.habitat needs for a variety of fish arid wildlife,. ' including endangered species. Bea- vers, red-winged blackbirds and waterfowl are common wetland inhabitants in the Rocky Mountain and Northern Great Plains regions. Recreation: Bird-watchers, hikers, hunters, fishermen, writers arid artists collectively seek the aesthetic and recreational value's associated with wetlands. Scientists and students : study and'learn about natural pro- cesses in wetland areas, which are : among the most biologically productive ecosystems in the country. PLANNING AND WETLANDS Communities are placing more value. on open space and wetlands, giving county, town,.and city planners the opportunity to be leaders in the protection and preservation of these . vital resources. Local governments can implement Conservation policies that protect wetlands while also saving the community time and money; For instance, the aesthetic . qualities of a wetland make commu- nities desirable places to work and live. Wetland protection can be incorporated into-local government open space, flood control, and ; recreation planning. Local governments may consider tax incentives that exempt wetlands from county property .taxes, and allow . • personal state-income tax exemption for money spent on habitat restoration and-improvement. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and your state fish and game agency can provide information on local wetland resources. WHAT CITY AND TOWN PLANNERS NEED TO KNOW The Army-Corps of Engineers'.and the.. Environmental Protection Agency jointly administer wetland'regulation. Section 404 of the nation's" Clean Water Act regulates any discharge of dredged or fill material into the waters of the U.S.,. including wetlands. Section 404 establishes, a permit program which ensures that such discharges comply with requirements. County,-city, and town planners should be aware of this permitting process, since violating the Clean Water Act carries severe penalties. EPA can also make money available to your municipality for identifying wetlands in your jurisdiction. Contact EPA to see if you are. eligible for advanced identification project funds. REFERENCES A Citizen's Guide to Wetland Protection in the Rocky Mountain and Northern Great Plains Regions. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8. 1989. • Our National Wetland Heritage: A Protection Guidebook. Dr. Jon A. Kusleiv The Environmental Law ' Institute, Suite '200,' 1616 P St. N.W. Washington, D.C.. 20086. 1990. Our Urban Wetlands: An Endan- gered Resource. Urban wetlands video on loan from the U.S. Environ-. mental Protection Agency. Region 8. Protecting Coastal and Wetland Resources: A Guide for Local Governments. Office' of Water, Office of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, ¦Washington,.D.C. 2.0460. Sept. 1992. Wetlands Conservation Through Local Community Programs. College of .Urban arid Public Affairs, University' of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA 70148. December 1991. Wetlands Protection and the . States.. National Conference of State' Legislatures, 1560 Broadway, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80202. April 1990. Wetlands Protection: A Local Government Handbook. American Planning Association, 1313 E. 60th St, Chicago, IL 60637., Sept. 19,91. 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 8 (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;. ------- |