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define a wetland area, then their absence must define the end of the wetland 

 area. 13 / Decisions such as this one have ramifications for large areas where 

 it is unclear whether lands should be defined as wetlands for regulatory pur- 

 poses. Of particular concern in this decision is the area known as bottomland 

 hardwoods in the lower Mississippi basin. Some say that thousands of acres 

 located in this area should be classified as wetlands while others say they 

 should be classified as non-wetlands. At stake are areas that would generate 

 high returns if they could be logged and then converted to other uses, especially 

 agriculture. 



Pressure to set wetland boundaries can also be influenced by values that 

 vary among or within wetland areas. Past modifications, often associated with 

 changes in water flow patterns, have reduced wetland values at many sites. 



In other areas, human action has accidentally created or expanded exist- 

 ing wetlands which actually may have enhanced values. For example, in certain 

 areas of the arid West, poor construction practices on irrigation canals have 

 led to extensive seepage and a high water table, creating adjacent wetlands. 

 Wetlands in these areas are usually of high habitat value as few alternative 

 sites exist. Increases in knowledge about wetlands, especially when changes 

 such as the examples cited above are being considered, have influenced the 

 evolution of wetlands policy. Knowledge about the functions of wetlands, and 

 measurements of value that those functions can provide are reviewed in the 

 next section. 



13 / Anonymous. Judge Scott Decides Landmark Case — What is a Wetland. 

 In Aquanotes, v. 10, Issue 2. Louisiana State University, Sea Grant Col- 

 lege Program, June 1981. p. 1-3 



