Status and Trends of Wetlands in the Conterminous United States 2004 to 2009

US Fish and Wildlife Service

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service has been entrusted with legal authorities and responsibilities for fish and wildlife conservation including the management of fish and wildlife populations; conserving endangered and threatened species, inter-jurisdictional fish, and migratory birds; managing an extensive conservation land base; and collaborating in carrying out conservation activities under international conventions, treaties, and agreements. The Service communicates information essential for public awareness and understanding of the importance of fish and wildlife resources and changes reflecting environmental conditions that ultimately will affect the welfare of people. Wetlands are transitional from true aquatic habitats to dry land (upland) and as a result, their abundance, type, and condition are directly reflected in the health and abundance of many species. In 1986, the United States Congress enacted the Emergency Wetlands Resources Act (Public Law 99-645) recognizing that wetlands are nationally important resources and that these resources have been affected by human activities. Under the provisions of this Act, the Service is required to update wetland status and trends studies of the Nation’s wetlands at 10 year intervals. To date, there have been five national reports on wetland status with this study being the latest. Recently, Congress has considered a number of policy issues that involve wetlands. Some of these reflect long-standing interests of the Federal government and influence a number of incentive and disincentive measures to conserve wetlands and if possible increase both the extent and improve the environmental quality aspects wetlands provide (Copeland 2010). This study tracks and quantifies wetland losses, reestablishment (restoration) or creation and provides a measureable element to gauge Federal policy success and provide information crucial to understanding this important resource type.