CRS-103 



CHAPTER IV: STATE AND LOCAL WETLAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS 



INTRODUCTION 



Programs for wetland management have been developed by a number of State 

 and local jurisdictions in recent years. As the number of programs grows, 

 they are becoming an increasingly significant force in wetland management. 

 These programs take many alternative approaches to wetland management. Their 

 recent evolution is an indication that Federal programs are not satisfying all 

 State and local needs. Many of these programs are efforts to implement wetland 

 goals that differ from Federal programs. 



The number of State and local programs to regulate wetland area uses and 



alteration is now substantial. A 1979 survey found 



at least 15 states regulate or establish standards for 

 local regulation of coastal wetlands. Six states exer- 

 cise some control over inland wetlands. More than 1000 

 local communities have adopted wetland protection regu- 

 lations pursuant to these acts or other standards con- 

 tained in broader shoreland or coastal zone acts." 145 / 



Development of coastal zone management programs, greater awareness of wetland 



values, and the expanded jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act's section 404 



program have contributed to the growth of State programs. 146 / 



145 / Kusler, Jon. Regulating Sensitive Lands. Cambridge, Ballinger Pub- 

 lishing Co., 1979. p. 32. 



146 / U.S. Department of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. Office 

 of Biological Services. Strengthening State Wetland Regulations. FWS/0BS-78/98. 

 Prepared by Jon Kusler, Environmental Law Institute. Washington, U.S. Govt. 

 Print. Off., 1978. p. 7-9. 



