CRS-98 



Additional areas, including wetlands, are acquired under the Land and 

 Water Conservation Fund Act to protect endangered species, to extend National 

 Wildlife Refuges, and to protect important natural resource areas. Through 

 FY77 , approximately 60,000 acres had been acquired for endangered species pro- 

 tection and an additional 40,000 acres for the other two purposes. 137 / Since 

 1981, appropriations have been proposed that would greatly reduce this fund, 

 but Secretary of the Interior James Watt has expressed a strong commitment to 

 wetland protection in the future. 138 / It is unclear how these two contrasting 

 policies (reduction of the fund versus increased wetland protection) will be 

 made compatable. 



Executive Order 11990 — Protection of Wetlands 



In May 1977, President Carter issued a series of Executive Orders concern- 

 ing protection and enhancement of the environment. Executive Order 11990 spe- 

 cifically established a broad national policy for conserving and protecting 

 wetlands. It requires all Federal agencies to refrain from supporting, assis- 

 ting, or financing new construction in wetlands unless there is no practicable 

 alternative and the activity will utilize all feasible means of minimizing 

 harm. 139/ It also provides opportunity for early public review of Federal 

 agency plans or proposals regarding new construction in wetland areas. 



137 / Ibid., p. 110. 



138 / Department of the Interior News Release. Nation's Wetland Acqui- 

 sition Program Must Continue, Watt Says. Washington, October 9, 1981. 

 p. 1-2. 



139 / The President (Carter). Executive Order 11990 — Protection of Wet- 

 lands. Federal Register, v. 42, no. 101, May 25, 1977, p. 26961-26963. 



