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PROTECTING AMERICA'S WETLANDS: 



rv. nVE PRINCIPLES FOR FEDERAL WETLANDS POUCY 



1) The QintOD Administration supports the interim goal of no overall net loss of the Nation's 

 remaining wetlands, and the long-term goal of increasing the quality and quantity of the Nation's 

 wetlands resource base; 



2) Regulatory programs must be efficient, fair, flexible, and predictable, and must be 

 administered in a manner that avoids unnecessary impacts upon private property and the regulated 

 public and minimizes those effects that cannot be avoided, while providing effeaive protection 

 for wetlands. Duplication amon^l regulatory agencies must be avoided and the public must have 

 a dear understanding of regulatory requirements and various agency roles; 



3) Non-regulatory programs, such as advance planning; wetlands restoration, inventory, and 

 research; and public/private cooperative efforts must be encouraged to reduce the Federal 

 government's reliance upon regulatory programs as the primary means to protect wetlands 

 resources and to accomplish long-term wetlands gains; 



4) The Federal government should expand partnerships with State, Tribal, and local governments, 

 the private sector and individual citizens and approach wetlands protection and restoration in an 

 ccosystemAvatershed context; and 



5) Federal wetlands f>olicy should be based upon the best scientific information available. 



V. A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF REFORMS 



Building upon these principles, the working group has developed a comprehensive package of 

 initiatives that will significantly reform Federal wetlands policy, while ma in t ainin g protection of 

 this vital natural resource. Tliis package includes regulatory reforms and innovative, non- 

 regulatory policy approaches; it includes administrative actions that will take effect immediately, 

 and legislative recommendations for Congress to consider during the reauthorization of the Oean 

 Water Act. The Qinton Administration looks forward to working closely with the Congress to 

 implement this new approach to Federal wetlands policy. In addition, the Administration will 

 establish an ongoing interagency working group, to be chaired by the Office on Environmental 

 Policy, to monitor the implemenUtion of the initiatives contained in the reform package. 



I 

 The reform package includes the following initiatives: 



• To afTirm its commitment to conserving wetlands resources, the Administration 

 will issue an Executive Order embracing the interim goal of no overall net loss of the 

 Nation's remaining wetlands resource base, and a long-term goal ofincreasing the 

 quality and quantity of the Nation's wetlands; 



