FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE 

 WETLANDS PROGRAMS 



BACKGROUND 



The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission is to conserve, 

 protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and their habitats for the 

 continuing benefit of the American people. Primary responsibilities 

 are for migratory birds, endangered species, freshwater and anadromous 

 fisheries, and certain marine mammals. The Service has eight regional 

 offices, including one for research, a headquarters in Washington, 

 D.C. and a large number of field units, including national wildlife 

 refuges, national fish hatcheries, research laboratories, and a 

 nationwide network of law enforcement agents. 



The Service manages more than 450 national wildlife refuges to 

 provide habitat for migratory birds, endangered species, and other 

 wildlife and wildlife-oriented public recreation. It also sets 

 migratory bird hunting regulations, leads the national effort to 

 protect and restore endangered and threatened animals and plants in 

 the United States and other countries, and administers Federal grant 

 programs for State fish and wildlife restoration programs. Through 

 its fishery resources program, the Service operates national fish 

 hatcheries and conducts programs to conserve and restore nationally 

 significant fisheries and assists Indian tribes in managing their 

 fisheries. 



Service biologists evaluate the effects of development projects on 

 fish and wildlife resources and recommend ways to mitigate harmful 

 impacts. The agency's research program provides scientific data 

 needed to conserve and manage fish and wildlife resources. The 

 Service is also charged with controlling wildlife damage to crops and 

 livestock and eliminating wildlife hazards to public health and 

 safety. Law enforcement agents enforce Federal laws protecting 

 migratory birds, endangered species, fisheries, marine mammals, and 

 other species. 



In all these activities, the Service works closely with States, 

 other Federal agencies, and Indian tribes, and the private sector. 



WETLANDS PROGRAMS 



The Service manages over 90 million acres of land and water on over 

 450 units comprising the National Wildlife Refuge System. Nearly all 

 units contain managed wetlands of some form, and almost 4 percent of 

 the Refuge System acreage is considered to be wetlands. Most of the 

 wetlands on refuges have been restored or enhanced in the last twenty 

 years, although active projects are still much in evidence, 

 particularly on recent acquisitions. An active land acquisition 

 program targets high priority wetlands for protection and 

 restoration/enhancement as required. 



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