CRS- xii 



provisions which address the definition of wetland areas to which the section 

 404 dredge and fill permit program should apply. 



Congress is considering reathorizing the Clean Water Act in 1982. One of 

 the most contentious issue areas is likely to be the section 404 permit pro- 

 gram. Topics of debate will include geographic coverage under section 404, 

 our present understanding of wetlands and their values, whether a Federal wet- 

 lands law is needed, whether the Clean Water Act or some other law is the 

 appropriate vehicle, and possible changes in the present relationship among 

 Federal, State, and local governments in the management of wetland areas. 



Another impetus to Congressional consideration of wetlands issues is the 

 proposals of the Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Reform to modify the 

 section 404 program. The Task Force announced five initiatives on May 7, 1982 

 to streamline this program. These initiatives will be implemented through 

 administrative, rather than legislative channels. They include: simplifying 

 multilevel permit reviews, expanding use of general permits, increasing the 

 role of states in the permit program, reducing conflicting and overlapping 

 policies, and clarifying the scope of the permit program. Congress may want 

 to consider these initiatives in a legislative context. 



This report provides background information that should be helpful in this 

 debate. The first chapter defines and briefly reviews issues of likely interest 

 in Congress during the anticipated wetland debate in 1982, summarizing pro and 

 con arguments for each issue. The second chapter examines the status of wetlands 

 from a scientific viewpoint; it includes a review of the status of the Nation's 

 wetland resources, current views on their functions and values, and impacts of 

 typical activities on wetlands. The third chapter reviews the array of Federal 

 programs that address wetlands, with particular attention to the development 

 and status of the section 404 dredge and fill permit program. The fourth 



