CRS-68 



about $55 per acre per year, making the return marginal when climatic or eco- 

 nomic conditions are unfavorable. 69 / A few conversion uses, such as for new 

 highway locations, are declining, but the overall pressure for conversion 

 to other uses, such as agriculture, appears to be strong. 



Reaction to this pressure is different in various parts of the country. 

 Wetlands are a common feature in the Southeast, but rare in many parts of 

 the West. Coastal wetlands are found in an almost continuous band along the 

 Atlantic coast, but along the Pacific Coast, wetland areas are few and small. 

 This geographic variation is important because it influences perceptions of 

 the value of wetland areas. In the East, wetlands have generally been avoided 

 as areas of settlement, and only in recent years has large-scale alteration, 

 such as development of the "super farms" in coastal North Carolina, become 

 possible. In the arid West, by contrast, wet areas have generally attracted 

 nearby settlement. High water tables have usually meant shallow wells and 

 better agriculture and development potential. 



SUMMARY 



Only in the past 20 years have knowledge and awareness of wetlands grown 

 rapidly. Scientific findings have directly contributed to wetlands manage- 

 ment. But at least four general topics need additional attention from wetland 

 scientists is needed In at least four areas in order to improve the nation's 

 ability to consider wetland policy issues. These topics are: 



69/ Diedrick, R. T. The Agricultural Value of Wet Soils in the Upper 

 Midwest. In Richardson, Brandt, Ed. Proceedings — Midwest Conference on Wet- 

 land Values and Management. Minneapolis, Minnesota Water Planning Board, 1981 

 p. 103. 



