CHAPTER I: WETLAND ISSUES NOW FACING CONGRESS 



INTRODUCTION 



Congress may examine a number of issues while it is considering reauthor- 

 ization of the Clean Water Act and other wetland legislative initiatives that 

 have been introduced in the 97th Congress. Brief discussions of each issue 

 are presented in Chapter I. They are cross-referenced to more detailed infor- 

 mation and analysis in Chapters II through V. These issues fall into three 

 categories: wetland science, wetland law, or Federal/State relations. Dis- 

 cussion of each issue includes a definition, followed by a brief presentation 

 of contrasting points of view. Neither the issue statements nor the discussion 

 represent conclusions or opinions of the Congressional Research Service. These 

 points of view have been expressed by individuals involved in wetland manage- 

 ment and wetland science. 



Wetland management is primarily concerned with whether an area Is a wet- 

 land; if it is then certain rules apply. Wetland science is concerned with 

 variations among wetlands, and tends to include within Its boundaries of study 

 the broadest possible array of areas. These alternative perspectives are a 

 main source of divergent views. The regulatory programs attempt to balance 

 these views. Differences among State regulatory programs, and between these 

 programs and the Federal program are expressions of how these divergent views 

 are implemented. 



The following issues are addressed in the remainder of Chapter I. 



