Wetlands provide important habitat and protect against floods. They establish habitats, form protective barriers, trap floodwaters, and recharge groundwater. The North American Wetland Conservation Act of 1989 aimed to protect wetlands and waterfowl. It created thousands of projects and jobs, and raised $3.5 billion. Experts say wetlands are highly productive and help reduce storm surges. However, development and pollution threaten wetlands, so laws and education are needed to protect these vital ecosystems.

1. Zachary Kadison
Wetland
Protection

2. What are Wetlands?
• A wetland is an area
of land that is either
permanently or
seasonally saturated
with water.
• These areas are
considered the most
biologically diverse
of all the
ecosystems, and
contain unique
plants and animals

3. Why Protect the Wetlands?
• Wetlands establish a habitat for many forms of
life
• Wetlands form protective barriers between
coastal waters and upland habitats
• Wetlands trap floodwaters from reaching
populated areas
• Wetlands recharge groundwater supplies

4. Executive Branch Recommendations
and Progress
The North American Wetland Conservation Act
of 1989- aimed at protecting wetlands and the
waterfowl who inhabit them. With this act, every
dollar of federal funding must be matched by
private donors. This program was largely
successful- it started over 2000 projects in
collaboration with 3000 organizations, and raised
$3.5 billion dollars. This created thousands of jobs
and over $200 million annual take-home for the
workers. The program went up for evaluation in
2006, and passed with ease through Congress.

5. Original Recommendations
• Pass a law that would make it illegal to develop on
Wetlands that aren’t already under protection, and
heavily fine those who pollute/destroy the land in
any way. This law would include provisions which
would protect the land surrounding the wetland as
well, allowing for the growth and continuation of
these ecosystems.
• Use the money obtained from fines and lawsuits to
start a cleanup project of polluted and dirty
wetlands.

6. Expert Opinion- Matthew Kirwan
• Matthew Kirwan- Associate Professor of Ecology, Geomorphology, and
Coastal Processes
• "Salt marshes are one of the most productive systems on Earth,“
• "They produce as much plant material as the tropical rain forests. They
produce as much biological material as coral reefs.“
• All of the plant material between the land and the ocean helps slow
down storm surges and floodwaters.
• "The biggest threat to salt marshes now is development adjacent to a
salt marsh“ - "Then there's nowhere for the marsh to migrate."
• Wetlands saved an average of $13,000 per acre in damage prevention
from Hurricanes and other natural forces
• It is the resilience and adaptability of wetlands that makes them so
valuable, especially as our climate shifts and ocean levels begin to rise.

7. Expert Opinion- Scott C. Yaich
• Scott C. Yaich is the director of conservation operations for Ducks
Unlimited.
• “Wetlands are a vital component of healthy watersheds”
• In reference to Chesapeake Bay- “2.5 million acres of wetlands had
been drained, exacerbating flooding and soil erosion and increasing
levels of harmful nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, in the
bay”
• “the effects of wetland and grassland conversion have far-reaching
consequences. The loss of approximately 13 million of the region's
original 20 million prairie potholes has exacerbated downstream
flooding and degraded water quality in the upper Mississippi and
Red river watersheds”

8. Opposing viewpoints
• Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal- adamantly opposed a lawsuit
against major energy companies such as Exxon and BP.
• The lawsuit claims that “the oil and gas industry's irresponsible
pipeline placement, drilling, and excavation methods have eroded
and polluted vital wetlands in Louisiana”.
• Jindal claims that the board of the Southeast Louisiana Flood
Protection Authority East has “overstepped its authority” in filing
the suit.
• It is important to note that Governor Jindal has received over
$250,000 from the oil and gas industry towards his political career.

9. Recommendations into Policy
• Contact the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service with a plan of action
• Start a petition on Whitehouse.gov to leverage
justice from polluters
• Start a movement to educate the population on
the importance of wetlands and a clean
environment

10. Economic Impact
• The only people who oppose wetland
conservation are those who stand to make
money off of wetland exploitation.
• We use the money from the corporations to
clean up the wetlands, saving taxpayers money.
• The money is then circulated, spurring economic
growth

11. Artwork

12. References
• Cousins, Farron. "Louisiana Sues Oil Companies For Wetlands Damage in Gulf
Showdown." Desmogblog.com. Desmogblog, 26 July 2013. Web. 2 Jan. 2016.
<http%3A%2F%2Fwww.desmogblog.com%2F2013%2F07%2F26%2Fenergy-companies-face-
lawsuit-over-louisiana-environmental-damage>.
• Dietrich, Tamara. "Wetlands Play a Vital Role in Flood Protection."Dailypress.com. Dailypress, 18
Apr. 2015. Web. 03 Jan. 2016. <http://www.dailypress.com/news/science/dp-nws-wetlands-
flood-protection-20150418-story.html>.
• Yaich, Scott C. "Wetlands and Watersheds." Wetlands and Watersheds. Ducks Unlimited, n.d.
Web. 03 Jan. 2016. <http://www.ducks.org/conservation/wetlands-and-watersheds>.