CONSERVATION CORNER
May 8, 2006
Wetlands Show Gain
by James L. Cummins

The Departments of the Interior and Agriculture recently released a report that shows a net gain in America's wetlands for the first time since data began being taken in 1954. Approximately 191,800 acres of wetlands were gained between 1998 and 2004, bringing the nation's total wetlands acreage to 107.7 million acres.

The net gain was achieved because increases in shallow pond type wetlands offset the continued losses in swamp and marshland type wetlands. This report shows a loss of 523,500 acres of swamp and marsh wetlands and a gain of 715,300 acres of shallow water wetlands.

This report, prepared as part of President Bush's initiative to stem the loss of wetlands, is good news for all of us. This report suggests that nationwide efforts to curb losses and restore wetland habitats are on the right track. A multitude of government, private and corporate cooperative conservation efforts helped the nation reach this milestone; however, much of the credit goes to the Wetland Reserve Program and to people like Senator Thad Cochran who fund it.

"Farmers are leaders in wetland restoration and protection efforts," said Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns. "The President's historic support of voluntary conservation programs has led the nation to this important milestone and we are committed to bolstering our conservation partnerships with producers."

The report does not reflect the wetlands losses suffered along the Gulf Coast during the 2005 hurricane season. "Because of the massive loss of coastal lands over the past four decades, Hurricane Katrina was much more destructive than Hurricane Camille, which followed the same path in 1969," former Interior Secretary Gale Norton said. "The creation and restoration of marshes and wetlands not only help wildlife, they help protect people from storm damage. Marshes protect levees and levees protect people."

On Earth Day in 2004, President George W. Bush announced a wetlands initiative that established a federal policy beyond "no net loss" of wetlands, aiming for an overall increase in the quality and quantity of wetlands. To continue tracking wetland trends, the President further directed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to complete an updated wetlands status and trends study in 2005, which is five years ahead of the date mandated by legislation.

In order to further the President's wetland goals, the 2007 Budget proposes $403 million to enroll 250,000 acres into USDA's Wetlands Reserve Program, a crucial contributor to the President's wetlands initiative. The Budget request represents a 100,000 acre increase above the fiscal year 2006 enrollment level.

For more details on the report, visit http://wetlandsfws.er.usgs.gov/status_trends/national_reports/trends_2005_report.pdf.