SWCS adopts wetland policy statement

Excerpt

“ONE third of all threatened plants and two thirds of all endangered animals depend on wetlands for their survival.”—from Endangered Species. Endangered Wetlands: Life on the Edge, published by the National Wildlife Federation.

“Rich biodiversity and ‘the residence of one-third of all endangered species’ are common arguments advanced in support of the great environmental value of all wetlands. The only real measure of environmental value is the price a free and un-coerced buyer is willing to pay.”—Proposed Position Statement on National Wetlands Policy offered by Environmental Concerns Committee National Watershed Coalition.

“Wetlands enhance the sustainability of agriculture and rural communities. For example, new- research has shown wetlands can reduce nitrate contamination of polluted runoff, and help maintain water tables at desirable levels. Wetlands also add flexibility to farming operations.”—A New National Wetlands Policy by the Midwest Sustainable Agriculture Working Group.

Much like the weather, everyone is talking about wetlands, but can't get much done about them. In the past they were drained for more tillable land. In the future, wetlands may be the answer to clean up polluted surface and ground-water naturally …