Wetland Assessment Criteria 23 



Easily accessible wetlands that are close to major population centers often 

 have higher direct outdoor recreation value than non-accessible wetlands 

 located some distance from any population centers. 



e. Other Areas or Concerns 



Other important wetland values that were not specifically mentioned in 

 section 301(c) of the Act. include natural areas, education research 

 scenic archaeological, historical and open space. Also, with proper 

 management, consumptive uses of wetlands, such as agriculture 

 commercial fishing and timber harvest, may be compatible with wetland 

 protection. 



Wetlands are important as natural areas containing diverse P^ant and 

 anfmal life. Since wetlands constitute only an estimated 5 percent of the 

 NatTon's lands in the contiguous U.S (Kusler 1983). the- -mmun^ti 

 are in general, rare. Their special importance resulting from their 

 rarit;an'dp ant diversity is shown, for example, by the high percentage o 

 v^ldlife spedes using these areas (e.g.. an estimated 80 P-ent or more of 

 the wildlife species in the dry southwestern U.S utilize wetlands)^ 

 Undisturbed natural wetland communities have high value as prime 

 examples of their community type, as areas of study and comparison, and 

 for protection of the unique resource. Most States recognize the value of 

 wetland natural areas through special designation under The Nature 

 Conservancy's Natural Heritage Program. 



Society often more easily identifies with consumptive wetland values 

 (eg outdoor recreation or commercial fishing) than nonconsumptive 

 values (e.g.. wildlife habitat, natural areas, research or water qua it^ 

 be ause the consumptive values are more easily measured in monetary 

 terms. Although consumptive values of wetlands (e^-; t-ber peat 

 commercial fishery) are "^o"«tarily quantifiable, there is no cl^^^^^ 

 agreement on an assessment methodology for defining such functional 

 vSues of wetlands. Limited work has been conducted to define or quant- 

 ify the nonconsumptive or less quantifiable values of wetlands. 



The nonconsumptive values of wetlands usually are highest when 

 wetland quality (i.e.. undisturbed natural communities, unpolluted 

 water) and fish and wildlife resource diversity are high and there - good 

 rcVssibility for outdoor recreation uses. Certain uses of wetjands (e.g.. 

 Se hardest, recreational, contaminant removal livestock watering 

 and J^azing. c^op production, energy and mineral extraction), if not 

 crrefSly managed, may cause degradation and reduction of fish and 

 vS dHfi reTeatfonal or scenic values. Such uses of wetlands o achieve a 

 ^ret economic return may also lower other functional wetland values 

 s"h as habitat and water quality. It is important to -anage consumptive 

 uses of wetlands so the integrity of the ecosystem is protected. This 

 requires a good understanding of wetland functions and values. 



National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan 



