PREFACE 



We now know things about wetlands that we should have known decades 

 ago. Of course, we knew that they provide important habitat for waterfowl 

 and other wildlife resources. However, we are only now coming to realize 

 the importance of wetlands for enhancing water quality, providing water 

 supply, and serving as natural means of flood and erosion control. They 

 also contribute significant recreational and commercial benefits that 

 enhance the Nation's economy. 



Historically, wetlands have had very negative connotations in our 

 thinking and in our vocabulary. Swamps, for example, have conjured up 

 images of impenetrable wastelands, places where people get "bogged 

 down." We have also associated wetlands with mosquitos, malaria, 

 alligators and snakes. 



These negative perceptions have found their way into our national public 

 policies as well. As one consequence of the perception of wetlands as 

 wastelands, the Federal Government has promoted the loss or alteration of 

 wetlands. The Swamp Land Acts of 1849, 1850 and 1866 provide an early 

 example. These Acts gave away Federal lands in certain States on the 

 condition that they be drained. 



Of the estimated 215 million acres of wetlands existing in the 

 conterminous United States at the time of European settlement, only 94 

 million acres (44 percent) are estimated to remain. Wetlands losses still 

 continue at a level estimated at several hundred thousand acres each 

 year. 



Most wetlands in the United States (74 per cent) occur on private property. 

 The protection and creative management of wetlands, however, requires 

 concerted, cooperative efforts on the part of: 



the Federal government, 



State and local governments, 



private organizations, and 



individuals. 



Working together, State and local governments, organizations and 

 individuals can reinforce and supplement the legal and administrative 

 framework now established at the Federal level for wetlands protection. 

 This framework includes provisions of the River and Harbor Act of 1899, 

 Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1958, as amended, Clean Water Act 



National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan 



