Restoration Center News

New Hope for Wetlands

In commemoration of Earth Day, President Bush launched a new national Wetlands Initiative to increase the overall amount and quality of our nation’s wetlands. On site at two National Estuarine Research Reserves in Wells, Maine and Rookery Bay, Florida, the President described his goal of creating, improving, and protecting at least three-million wetland acres over the next five years. President Bush wants to shift the focus from the current no-net wetland loss policy to a noticeable gain in wetland acres each year.

Wetlands provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife. They reduce flooding, prevent shoreline erosion, improve water quality, and provide multiple recreational opportunities for coastal visitors and residents. Unfortunately, millions of acres of wetlands have been lost over the years from coastal development, pollution, erosion and a myriad of other problems. The good news is that the rate of wetlands loss has slowed, but measures still need to be taken to preserve those that remain.

Through a combined effort, NOAA, EPA, the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Transportation, and the Army Corps of Engineers will restore and create at least 1 million acres of wetlands, improve the quality of at least 1 million acres of wetlands, and protect at least 1 million acres of wetlands by 2009. This new Wetlands Initiative provides further incentive for interagency cooperation to benefit wetlands nationwide and it supports the NOAA Restoration Center mission of restoring degraded coastal habitats to benefit marine resources.

It is fitting that Earth Day, and the President’s wetlands announcement, occurred during National Volunteer Week. Restoration projects throughout the country depend on committed volunteers and the Restoration Center applauds the 50,000 individuals who have contributed nearly 250,000 volunteer hours since 2001 to restore marine fisheries habitat through the NOAA Community-based Restoration Program.