Congressional Research Service 

 The Library of Congress 



Washington. DC 20540 LETTER OF SUBMITTAL 



July 6, 1982 



Honorable Robert T. Stafford 



Chairman 



Committee on Environment and Public Works 



U. S. Senate 



Washington, D. C. 20510 



Dear Mr. Chairman: 



In response to your request, I am pleased to submit the report, 

 Wetland Management . 



The first chapter summarizes pro and con views on several issues that 

 may arise during congressional debate about wetlands, including the scope 

 and coverage of the Clean Water Act Section 404 program, the roles and inter- 

 action of Federal agencies in wetland management, roles of the Federal Govern- 

 ment and the States in managing wetlands, and research activities aimed at 

 defining and evaluating wetland resources. The remaining four chapters pro- 

 vide background information on these issues. 



The report describes the status of our knowledge about wetlands — the 

 general characteristics of wetlands, functions that they perform, and effects 

 of activities that alter wetlands. It also examines two alternative view- 

 points on wetlands: those of scientists, who emphasize the functions and 

 values of diverse wetland resources, and those of regulators, who focus on 

 elements that are common to all wetlands. The report describes Federal wet- 

 land programs, particularly regulatory programs under Section 404 and related 

 authorities, as well as other wetland acquisition and protection programs. 

 It examines varied approaches to wetland management developed by State and 

 local jurisdictions in recent years, discussing similarities and differences 

 between some of these State programs and the Federal regulatory program. 

 The report concludes with a review of Federal wetland legislation considered 

 from the 93rd Congress (1973-1974) up to the 97th Congress. 



The report was prepared by Dr. Jeffery A. Zinn and Claudia Copeland of 

 the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division. Mrs. Rosemary Pan- 

 zenbeck and Mrs. Arlette Gillis of the Environment and Natural Resources 

 Policy Division typed the manuscript. 



We hope this report provides valuable information that will assist 

 congressional examination of these issues. 



(V) 



