CRS-73 



habitat protection. In the last century, a series of enactments encouraged 



destruction of wetlands and conversion to uses of higher value. The Swamp 



Lands Acts of 1849, 1850, and 1860 gave approximately 65 million acres of 



wetlands to 15 States for reclamation. 72 / A century ago, the president of 



the American Public Health Association made the following statement, which 



reportedly expressed a common view of the day: 



Wetlands and saturated soils are not only unremunerative, 

 but if the area is considerable, they prove a source of enervation 

 and disease to the section in which they exist. Although Individ- 

 uals may neglect swamp lands, or find their reclamation and drain- 

 age too expensive, the State cannot afford to be indifferent to 

 their continuance, because they check production, limit population, 

 and reduce the standard of vigor and health. Their value, too, 

 when reclaimed, in an economic view will be greatly enhanced. 73 / 



Increased awareness during the last decade about the functions and values 

 of wetlands is reflected in growing efforts to create programs that protect 

 wetlands and the retailoring of older programs that originally had little to do 

 with wetland protection. Efforts to protect remaining wetlands expanded greatly 

 after wider recognition of their role in larger ecosystems, In assimilating pol- 

 lutants, and in dampening floodwater. Belated recognition of these values is 

 captured in an introductory passage from a recent State report on wetlands. 



In the beginning, wetlands were considered valueless. Only 

 when most of the native waterfowl vanished was it determined that 

 wetlands might ensure the survival of many endangered plants and 

 animals. Only after billions of dollars were spent on structural 

 flood control that resulted in further flooding were wetlands 

 recognized for reducing flood peaks. Only after additional billions 

 were spent to purify streams was it realized wetlands naturally 

 filter pollutants for free. 74 / 



72 / U.S. Department of the Interior, Wetlands of the United States, p. 5. 



73/ Toner, Richard. A View of Some of the Leading Public Health Questions 

 in the United States. II Public Health Reports, v. 1, 1876. p. 22. 



74/ Illinois Institute of Natural Resources, Illinois Wetlands, p. ix. 



