Protecting Wetlands, Promoting Nature-Based Solutions
Wetland
Friday, February 2, 2024

Since 1997, World Wetlands Day has been highlighting the importance of wetlands for people and the planet and helping to encourage wetlands preservation. Wetlands are typically defined as areas of land that are either covered by or saturated with water. Wetlands are critical ecosystems that provide numerous important benefits for people and wildlife and are integral to the culture and economy of local communities.

Filling the Gaps: Strategies for States/Tribes for Protection of Non-WOTUS Waters
Author
Rebecca Kihslinger, Jim McElfish, Heather Luedke, Georgia Ray
Date Released
May 2023
The cover of a research report, titled "Filling the Gaps: Strategies for States/Tribes for Protection of Non-WOTUS Waters"

Changes in the interpretation of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) resulting from judicial decisions or federal rulemaking place a substantial burden upon state and tribal regulators and legislators. States, in particular, must determine whether, and how, to keep up with shifting federal coverage by adopting and implementing protections for waters that are not protected by federal law.

New Report Offers Best Practices to Improve Third-Party Compensatory Mitigation Review Process
August 2020

(Washington, D.C.): Healthy wetlands benefit our environment and economy in a number of ways, from providing habitat to wildlife and fisheries, to improving water quality, to offering opportunities for recreation. The Clean Water Act (CWA) requires certain impacts to be compensated, and each year, thousands of acres of wetlands and streams are restored, enhanced, and protected to satisfy the Act’s compensatory mitigation requirements.