CAPf MAY COUNTY MAGAZINE /5

Nationwide Push to Save Wetlands

Nearly half Have Already Been Destroyed

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The nation's largest conservation organization has launched a major effort to alleviate the destructionof one of the country's most threatened wildlife habitats — wetlands. With a i grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Wddlife Federation has opened two wetland education centers — the Southern Wetlands Project in New Orleans, and the Carolinas Wetlands Project in Raleigh, N.C. The centre will be staffed by biologists, \ legal experts and public education specialists who will assist state and local governments, developers, landowners, and other citizens in understanding why the nation’s remaining wetlands are vital, resources and how they can best be conserved. “At one time the nation's wetlands — the marshes, swamps, and bogs found across the country were considered to be ; (From Page 4) marsh, and some stunners." SHE PUT THE FISH in a bucket of water to take back and feed to the two baby egrets at the institute, which were blown out of their nests in a storm. While doing so she explained that the marsh area is a nursery ground for 80 to 90 per cent of the fish commercially caught off shore. With wet and muddy sneakers, the group returned to the Institute to wash off and watch a movie pn the different kinds of marshes found throughout the United-,

states.

useless areas, fit only for draining and filling," explained Dr. Jay D. Hair, executive vice president of the NWF. "Fortunately, we've come to realize that wetlands are, instead, priceless natural resources. Our wetlands centers will bring this message to the public, teaching them the value of wetlands and how to work with

source of much of the organic matter consumed by shellfish and other aquatic life. They aid in the natural purification of water, neutralize sewage and. other contaiminats, and "recharge" ground water resources. In coastal areas, wetlands also act as buffer ■zones, protecting landward areas againkt storm

'...wetlands are priceless natural resources.'

landowners, developers, and government officials in preserving them." DR. HAIR EMPHASIZED that in recent years scientists have realized wetlands serve many vital ecological functions. They are breeding grounds and refuges for many species of wildlife and they produce plant life that is the

damage, erosion and floods “Hundreds of species of wildlife are dependent on wetland habitat," noted Dr. Alan Wentz assistant director for wildlife and fisheries of the NWF's Resources Defense Division. "They include beaver, otter, raccoon, mink, moose, muskrats, ducks, geese, and woodcock. In addition.

PROTECTED SAI.T MARSH completely surrounds the assistant director of the Wetlands Institute, off Stone Harbor Rlvd. in Middle Township, Rut millions of acres of wetlands across thebation aren't so fortunate. Indited, in other areas of the Jersey Cape, pollution and development threaten the marsh. r

wetlands arc absolutely essential to themation's fish supply. Twothirds of the fish caught com-mercially-off • the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, and one-half caught off the Pacific Coast Spawn’and feed in wetlands. The fthtion s wetlands also serve as recreation area,s fob sportsmen!, photographers, birdwatchers, and tourists, she pointed out. According to Dr Hair, the NWF wetland centers will placespecial emphasis on the importance of Sectidd 404 of the Federal Clean Watep Act in Conserving wetlands. Section 404 requires the. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to, grant permits for wetlanc development only after it con aiders,such factors as economics fish apd wildlife, flood-damage prevention, recreation, wi/iter supply, and water quality

EPA shares enforcement responsibility with the Corps and is alsd responsible for publishing environmental guidelines used to review the Section 404 permits "NWF has long fought against needles'shabitat destruction: which is the major threat to the continued health of the ration s wildlife populations," he said. It is trgic, that we have already obliterated so many acres of wetlands. Nearly half of the wetlands that existed in what arc now the loWer 48 states when the first Settlers stepped ashore in America,have been destroyed. "Unfortunately, this alarming rate of destruction continues, especially in Louisiana, where nearly 25,600 acres of coastal marshes vanish each year.

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