ROBERT T. STAFFORD, VT., CHAIRMAN 

 HOWARD M. BAKCR, JR., TENM. JENNINGS RANDOLrH. W. VA. 



PETT V. DOMENlCl. N. MIX. LLOYD BENTBEN. TEX. 



JOHN M. CHAFEC. R.I. OUENTIN N. BURDICK. N. DAK. 



ALAN K. BIMPSON. WYO. GARY MART. COLO. 



irr^E'sY'MMT'lDAHO '' SIobm" MITCHELL. MAIN. XICtHICD j&)lcitC& ^>CTXCtl(f 



.LADE OORTON. WAEK. MAX BAUCUS. MONT. »W ' »•"*" 



FRANK M. MURKOWSKI. ALASKA COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS 

 BAILEY CUARO. 6TAFT DIRECTOR 

 JOHN W. YAOO. JR.. MINORITY STAFF OIRECTOB1 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20510 



July 1, 1982 



Mr. Gilbert T. Gude 



Director 



Congressional Research Service 



Library of Congress 



Washington, D.C. 20540 



Dear Mr. Gude: 



Both the Congress and the Executive Branch are examining 

 issues related to reauthorization of the Clean Water Act. Among 

 the issues of interest are the Act's Section 404 dredge and fill 

 permit program and, more broadly, management of the nation's 

 wetland resources. 



I would like to inquire whether the Congressional 

 Research Service would be in a position to develop a wetlands 

 management report — one designed to be of assistance to those of 

 us engaged in the examination of these problems and programs. 

 If so, it seems to me that such a report might well include: 



(1) discussion of the nation's wetland resources, their 

 functions and values, and impacts of typical activities on 

 wetlands; 



(2) review of current Federal programs (particularly 

 Section 404 of the Clean Water Act) , and also of State programs 

 relating to wetlands; and 



(3) review of past Congressional action with respect to 

 wetlands legislation. 



It would also be useful to the Committee if your analysts 

 could summarize pro and con views on such topics as the scope or 

 coverage of the Section 404 program, the roles and interaction of 

 Federal agencies, roles of the Federal Government and the States 

 in managing wetlands, and research activities aimed at studying 

 and defining wetlands . 



(Ill) 



