r o m the top 



Wetlands. It's a word you hear a lot these days. And 

 rightly so. 



North Carolina's valuable wetlands are dwindling. The 

 culprits are many — a burgeoning population and accom- 

 panying development; expansive farming operations; the 

 timber industry and consumer hunger for its byproducts. 



Can we rescue our remaining wetlands? Can a balance 

 be struck between those who want goods and services for 

 our ever-growing population and those who want wetlands 

 to remain pristine and untouched? 



In this issue of Coastwatch, we tackle those questions. 



Carla Burgess digs deep into wetlands and helps us 

 distinguish between the different types. She shows us the 

 scientific and practical value of this resource. 



Raleigh freelance writer Sarah Friday Peters, a former 

 member of the Sea Grant communications staff, returns to 

 Coastwatch to untangle the myriad regulations and laws 

 that govern the use of wetlands in North Carolina. She 

 brings us up to date on the sometimes confusing world of 



managing pocosins, swamps and other wetlands. 



C.R. Edgerton takes a long look at the major source 

 of wetland loss in North Carolina: the timber industry. He 

 explores the conflict between timber officials — who say 

 large tree farms are a good use of wetlands — and 

 environmentalists, who want stricter regulations for 

 wetland forestry. 



While you're reading this issue, we hope you'll take 

 note of some of the changes that have occurred in 

 Coastwatch. You've probably already noticed that we are 

 printing full color cover photos each issue. What you may 

 not have noticed is that Coastwatch is now being printed 

 on recycled paper. We're proud of the evolution of our 

 magazine over the last few issues, and we hope you are 

 too. Thanks for being faithful to us during this period of 

 change. 



Happy reading, and see you next time. 

 Kathy Hart 



in this issue 



P a 



g e 



The Nature of Wetlands ... 2 



The Muddle Over Wetlands Protection . . . 



Forestry: Friend or Foe? ... 10 



Young Mariners 

 Rare Finds in Wetlands ... 14 



From Sound to Sea 

 I Peeking into Pocosins ... 15 



Marine Advice 

 The Nose Knows Good Seafood ... 16 



Field Notes 



Phantom Algae Sends Scientists Sleuthing ... 17 

 The Aft Deck... 18 



Back Talk ... 20 

 The Book Store ... 21 



Page 10 



COASTWATCH 1 



