the satilla initiative: spring 2004
policy options for state and local inland wetlands protection

Team members: Don Christy, Oliver Drose, Gabrielle Graeter, Katie Willcox, Erica Wright

Draft Project Reports: Wetlands Memo and Wetlands State Survey Compilation (PDFs)

Inland wetlands, generally defined as areas that are saturated by water throughout all or part of the year and support vegetation adapted for saturated soil conditions, serve as the crucial link between land and water. Inland wetlands control floodwaters, filter water pollutants, provide habitat for wildlife, reduce erosion and sedimentation, and support water-related recreation.

In 1972, Congress enacted §404 of the Clean Water Act to regulate the dredging and filling of wetlands. Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, which requires permit applicants to obtain a water quality certification, establishes the state's role in this regulatory program. Recognizing inland wetlands as valuable resources, many states and local governments have adopted additional inland wetland management and protection programs. These programs range from acquisition of wetlands to regulation of activities affecting wetlands to providing incentives for protection of wetlands.

As the population increases and demands on our natural resources grow, increases in pollution, the effects of property development and agricultural activities, and a host of other pressures threaten valuable inland wetlands. In light of these threats, a governmental body has requested policy and legal research assistance regarding policy tools for inland wetlands protection.

This project will provide comprehensive research to serve as the foundation for policy discussions on the improvement of inland wetlands protection along Georgia's waterways. The project seeks to:

1. Educate decision-makers about the need to protect inland wetlands;
2. Describe the current status and trends of wetlands in Georgia and current state and local inland wetlands protection programs;
3. Provide a basic understanding of federal inland wetlands protection policy and programs;
4. Determine those policy tools used by state and local governments in other jurisdictions to protect inland wetlands and, to the extent practicable, how successful those tools have been; and
5. Provide a broad assessment of wetlands mitigation banking.

The project will result in a report comprised of memoranda on the issues outlined above. We believe that the report will be used in discussions toward development of policy, legislation and/or ordinances to improve the protection of inland wetlands in Georgia.

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