56 



Fig.50. Current status of state wetland protection efforts. Shaded states have enacted laws to regulate wetland uses. States with only coastal 

 wetland laws are shaded along their coastlines. 



Management Recommendations 



In an effort to halt or slow wetland losses and to en- 

 hance the quality of the remaining wetlands, many oppor- 

 tunities are available to both government agencies and the 

 private sector. Their efforts will determine the future 

 course of the Nation's wetlands. The Environmental Law 

 Institute's publication "Our National Wetland Heritage" 

 discusses in detail public and private means of protecting 

 wetlands (Kusler 1983). Major options have been out- 

 lined below. 



Government Options: 



1 . Develop a consistent national policy to protect 

 wetlands of national significance. 



2. Strengthen Federal, state and local wetlands 

 protection. 



3. Ensure proper implementation of existing laws 

 and policies through adequate staffing, surveil- 

 lance and enforcement. 



4. Remove government subsidies which encour- 

 age wetland drainage. 



5. Provide tax and other incentives to private land- 

 owners and industry to encourage wetland pres- 

 ervation and remove existing tax benefits which 

 encourage wetland destruction. 



6. Increase wetland acquisition in selected areas. 



7. Improve wetland management on Federal and 

 state-owned lands, including rangelands and 

 forests. 



8. Scrutinize cost-benefit analyses and justifica- 

 tions for flood control projects that involve 

 channelization of wetlands and watercourses. 



9. Increase the number of marsh creation and res- 

 toration projects, especially to mitigate for un- 

 avoidable wetland losses by government- 

 sponsored water resources projects. 



10. Complete the National Wetlands Inventory, 

 monitor wetland changes and periodically up- 

 date these results in problem areas. 



1 1 . Increase public awareness of wetland values 

 and the status of wetlands through various 

 media. 



