United States Department of the Interior 



TAKE 

 PfUOEIN 

 AMERICA 



FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 

 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240 



ADDRESS ONLY THE OIBECTOR. 

 FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 



Note to the Reader: 



Enclosed is the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan (Plan), which is mandated 

 by P.L. 99-645, the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act of 1986. The Plan was 

 developed by the Department of the Interior after consultation with the Environmental 

 Protection Agency, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Agriculture, the 

 executive officer of each State, and enviroimiental groups. 



The Plan provides the framework, criteria, and guidance for identifying wetlands 

 warranting priority attention for Federal and State acquisition using Land and Water 

 Conservation Fund appropriations. Its primary purpose is to help decision-makers focus 

 their acquisition efforts on the more important, scarce, and vulnerable wetlands in the 

 Nation. However, it can also be used by the private sector and local, State, and Federal 

 agencies to identify wetlands warranting protection through measures that do not require 

 land acquisition. The Plan will also help the States meet the Emergency Wetland 

 Resources Act's requirement to address wetlands as an important outdoor recreation 

 resource. 



