112 



2 



1 (1) Aquatic ecosystems, including wetlands, 



2 streams, rivers, lakes, estuaries, coastal marine 



3 ecosystems, and associated riparian upland habitats 



4 that buffer those areas from external factors, per- 



5 form numerous valuable environmental functions 



6 which sustain environmental, social, and cultural val- 



7 ues. They recycle nutrients, purify water, attenuate 



8 floods, augment and maintain streamflow, recharge 



9 ground water, act as primary producers in the food 



10 chain, provide habitat for plants, fish and wildlife, 



11 and other dependent species, and provide rec- 



12 reational opportunities. 



13 (2) Physical and biological integrity of aquatic 



14 ecosystems is key to maintaining biodiversity and 



15 to providing for human and ecological health and 



16 safety. 



17 (3) Degradation of the Nation's aquatic 



18 ecosystems and loss of aquatic biodiversity have 



19 reached alarming levels, affecting all waters of the 



20 United States, such that entire hydrologic systems 



21 and natural biodiversity of all forms of aquatic and 



22 riparian species are at risk. 



23 (4) Federal policy has not devoted sufficient at- 



24 tention to the decline of aquatic and riparian 



25 ecosystems. 



•HR 4481 IH 



