57 



12. Conduct research to increase our knowledge ot 

 wetland values and to identify ways of using 

 wetlands that are least disruptive to their 

 ecology. 



Private Options: 



1 . Rather than drain or till wetlands, seek compati- 

 ble uses of those areas, e.g. . timber harvest, wa- 

 terfowl production, fur harvest, hay and forage, 

 wild rice, hunting leases, etc. 



2. Donate wetlands or funds to purchase wetlands to 

 private and public conservation agencies for tax 

 purposes. 



3. Maintain wetlands as open space. 



4. Work in concert with government agencies to 

 educate the public on wetland values, etc.; pri- 

 vate industry's expertise in marketing/advertis- 

 ing is particularly valuable. 



5. Construct ponds in upland areas and manage for 

 wetland and aquatic species. 



6. Purchase Federal and state duck stamps to sup- 

 port wetland acquisition. 



Many of our current wetland problems have national 

 and multi-state implications. For example, wetland drain- 

 age in one state may increase flood damages in another 



state. Cooperation between Federal, state and local gov- 

 ernments is imperative to solving these problems. Oppor- 

 tunities also exist for the private sector to join with 

 government in protecting wetlands. Large and small land- 

 owners can also contribute to this effort by managing 

 their lands in ways that minimize wetland alterations. 



With over half of the wetlands in the conterminous 

 U.S. already lost, it is imperative that appropriate steps 

 be taken to protect our remaining wetlands. Wetland pro- 

 tection demands both public and private sector coopera- 

 tion and action to ensure that Americans will continue to 

 receive the many public benefits that wetlands provide. 



References 



Council of Environmental Quality. 1981. Environmental Trends. U.S. 

 Gov't Pnnting Oflice, Washington, DC 346 pp. 



Kusler. J, A. 1978. Strengthening State Wetland Regulations. U.S. 

 Fish and Wildlite Service. FWS/OBS-78/98. 147 pp. 



Kusler. J. A. 1983, Our National Wetland Heritage. A Protection Gui- 

 debook. Environmental Law Institute. Washington. D.C. 167 pp. 



National Research Council. 1982. Impacts of Emerging Agncultural 

 Trends on Fish and Wildlife Habitat. National Academy Press. 

 Washington. DC. 303 pp. 



U.S. Distnct Court for the District of Columbia. 1984. National Wild- 

 life Federation, et al. v. John O. Marsh Jr. , et al. Civil No. 82-3632. 

 Settlement Agreement. 



