Steps States Can Take Right Away 



All states shoold b^in by explicitly incorporating wetlands into tlieir 

 definitions of state waters in both state water quality standards regulations, 

 and in state 401 certifications regulations. 



States should develop or modify their regulations and guidelines for 401 

 certification and water quality standards to clarity their programs, codity 

 their decision process, and to incorporate special wetlands considerations into 

 the more traditional water quality approaches. 



StiEitiits should make more effective use of their existing narrative water quality 

 standards (indnding the antidegradation poliqr) to protect wetlands. 



States should initiate or improve upon existing inventories of their wetland 



resourcefi;..-;:;- ■,,.,;:■••..■ ■ 



States :shiDnIddesijpiate>use9'f^ on estimates3iDf wetland 



fimctibns typically associated with given wetland types. Such potential uses 

 could be verified for individual applications with an assessment tool such as 

 the Wetlands Evaluation Technique or Habitat Evaluation Procedure. 



States should tap into the potential of the outstanding resource waters tier of 

 the antidegradation policy for wetlands. It may not be an appropriate 

 designation for all of a state's wetlands, but it can provide excellent 

 protection to particularty valuable or ecologically sensitive wetlands firom both 

 physical and diemical degradation. . ,,^ 



States.should incorporate wetlands and 401 certification into thdr other water 

 quality management processes; Integrating this tool with other mechanisms 

 such as coastal zone management programs, point and nonpoiht source 

 programs, and water quality management plans will help fill the gaps of each 

 individual tool and allow better protection of wetlands systems fit>m the 

 whole host of physical, chemical, and biological impacts. 



Time and the courts may be needed to resolve some of the more complicated 

 and contenuous issues surrounding 401 certification such as which federal permits and 

 licenses require 401 certification. EPA intends to support States in resolving such 

 issues. 



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