122702 EPA Releases National Wetland Mitigation ct

December 27, 2002

EPA Releases National Wetlands Mitigation Act, Hope is to Avoid Additional Losses

EPA Releases National Wetlands Mitigation Act, Hopes to Have a No Net Loss of Wetlands

In an effort to address the problem of the nation’s decreasing wetlands, the Bush Administration December 26 adopted a new plan and guidelines for replacing swamps and bogs that have been filled or drained to make way for highway, housing or other projects. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) worked with the Department of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior Transportation, and the US Army Corps of Engineers to release a comprehensive action plan and improved guidance to ensure restoration of wetlands previously impacted by development activities. “These actions affirm this administration’s commitment to the goal of no net loss of America’s wetlands and its support for protecting our nation’s watersheds,” EPA Administrator Christie Whitman said. The National Wetlands Mitigation Act, a 17-step plan is meant to clarify policies for regulating wetlands according to clean water laws. Included in the Act is a regulatory guidance letter, crafted with input from federal agencies that play a role in wetlands protection. It emphasizes the following:

• A watershed-wide approach to prospective mitigation efforts for proposed projects impacting wetlands and other waters

• The increased use of functional assessment tools

• Improved performance standards

In addition, the guidance letter emphasizes monitoring, long-term management, and financial assurances. Copies of the Regulatory Guidance Letter are available: www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands.
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