Implementation Guidance 43 



are privately owned, some are threatened and some are relatively secure. 

 Wetland sites identified by the National Park Service in the list of 

 National Natural Landmarks that are threatened are likely candidates 

 for acquisition consideration. 



h. Natural Heritage Program 



The Nature Conservancy coordinates the efforts of 47 State Natural 

 Heritage Programs which identify ecologically significant natural areas 

 in their respective States. In most States, the Natural Heritage Program is 

 a statewide inventory of rare plants and animals and the best examples of 

 ecological communities. Data include computerized records of these 

 resources, maps, biological survey and descriptive information, identi- 

 fication of threats, management needs and local land use and planning 

 activities. Many identified natural areas are superior examples of all 

 communities, including rare types. Those areas containing threatened 

 wetland sites are likely candidates for acquisition consideration. 



L North American Waterfowl Management Plan 



The North American Waterfowl Management Plan (Waterfowl Plan), 

 released in May 1986, was developed to address the need for protecting, 

 restoring and managing wetlands of importance to waterfowl and other 

 wildlife species in light of significant losses and degradation of wetlands 

 across the continent. The Waterfowl Plan provides a broad policy 

 framework with general guidelines for waterfowl habitat protection and 

 management actions. Thirty-four waterfowl habitat areas of major 

 concern are identified in the U.S. and Canada. Among these areas, 

 special priority was directed in the U.S. to the Prairie Pothole Region, the 

 Lower Mississippi River Delta and Gulf Coast Region, Central Valley of 

 California, the Atlantic Coast, and Great Lakes-St. Lawrence lowlands. 



The Waterfowl Plan addresses the need to influence land use practices 

 throughout the continent and recognizes that fee acquisition is not the sole 

 solution to the wetland loss problem. Other resource protection and 

 management options are emphasized. It is also recognized in the 

 Waterfowl Plan that a long-term solution to the problem of declining 

 waterfowl populations must involve the coordinated action of Federal, 

 State and local agencies, private organizations, landowners and the 

 general public. 



The NWPCP and Waterfowl Plan were developed independently, having 

 two different specific identified purposes. The NWPCP addresses setting 

 priorities for wetland acquisition based on considering equally all 

 functions and values. The Waterfowl Plan addresses public and private 

 efforts to conserve and manage waterfowl; wetland acquisition in 

 specifically identified habitat areas of concern is one recommended 

 option to accomplish the Waterfowl Plan goals. Although these plans have 



National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan 



