Zachary Kadison

Wetland Protection

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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”

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.

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

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

Artwork

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>.