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18 PROTECTING AMERICA'S WETLANDS: 



G. RESTORATION 



Issue Definition: This Nation lias lost nearly half of the wetland acreage that existed in the 

 lower 48 States prior to European settlement. Much of this loss was due to Federal policies from 

 an earlier era that encouraged the drainage of wetlands. The effect of this wetland loss is 

 reflected in declining populations of fish, waterfowl, and other living things dependent upon the 

 aquatic environment; in degraded water quality; and, most recently, in the extent of flooding in 

 the Midwest. 



The Section 404 regulatory program under the Clean Water Act and the Swampbuster provisions 

 under the Food Security Act are attempts to stem this loss of wetlands. At best, the regulatory 

 approach can ensure no further overall net loss. But to achieve a positive increase in the Nation's 

 wetlands will require the restoration of some damaged wetlands. 



Our ability to restore wetlands, particularly inland wetlands in agricultural areas, has been well- 

 established over the last decade. A niunber of private and governmental entities have 

 successfully restored degraded or lost wetlands to productive status. For example, the Fish and 

 Wildlife Service, in cooperation with private landowners across the Nation, has implemented 

 9,500 restoration projects affecting 200,000 acres. Last year, a 50,000 acre pilot of the USDA 

 Wetlands Reserve Program received proposals from 2^00 fanners to restore 500,000 acres. 



Administration Position: Restoring some former wetlands that have been drained 

 previously or otherwise destroyed to functioning wetlands is key to achieving the 

 Administration's interim goal of no overall net loss of the Nation's remaining wetlands, 

 and its long term goal to increase the quality and quantity of the Nation's wetlands base. 



In support of a broad-based effort to restore a portion of the Nation's historic wetlands 

 base that has been destroyed or degraded in the past, the Administration proposes to take 

 the following aaions: 



• Wetlands Reuerve Program. The fiscal year 1994 Agriculture Appropriations 

 conference report provides for 75,000 new acres to be enrolled in the Wetlands- Reserve 

 Program. When passed this will also more than double - to 20 - the number of States 

 eligible for participation in the program. The Administration will also use this program 

 in the Midwest to restore wetlands in the course of providing financial assistance to 

 farmers and improved flood protection for all those affected by the recent flooding. The 

 Administration will also pursue full funding of the' President's budget request for the 

 Wetlands Reserve Program in FY 1995, and will seek to have this program expanded in 

 the 1995 Farm Bill. 



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• Promote Wetlands Restoration through Voluntary, Cooperative Programs and 

 Outreach Activities. Wetlands conservation efforts have historically focused largely on 

 wetlands regulation and acquisition. These programs continue to \x essential to a 



