It is essential to protect our wetlands.

Wetlands improve drinking water quality, help regulate water levels, reduce flood and storm damages, provide important fish and wildlife habitat, and support hunting, fishing, and other recreational activities.

Passing wetlands legislation at the state level plugs a legal loophole.

In a closely divided 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled in January of 2001 that the federal government no longer has jurisdiction over isolated wetlands. Estimates from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers show at least 20 percent – and possibly over 50 percent – of existing wetlands are now unprotected.

Protecting wetlands has popular bipartisan support.

In May of 2001, Wisconsin became the first state to plug this legal loophole by passing a bill unanimously through the democratic-controlled Senate (33-0) and Republican-controlled Assembly (97-0). The Republican governor called a special session and signed the bill into law. This issue is not about political bickering or partisan politics. A broad coalition of hunters, fisherman, environmentalists, and homebuilders can all support this legislation.

Wetlands filter pollution from our drinking water.

Wetlands provide a buffer zone to intercept polluted runoff before it contaminates our lakes, rivers and coastal waters. Wetlands act as natural water filters, absorbing pollutants, pesticides, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other contaminants before they infiltrate our drinking water.

Wetlands protect people and property from flood damage.

Wetlands are usually located in low-lying areas, so they act as a sponge to collect and hold large quantities of surface runoff during storms, helping to prevent floods. The excess water then gradually returns to rivers, streams, and underground water tables, providing a continuous supply for use by humans and wildlife.

Protecting wetlands will save us money in the long run.

Wetlands save us billions of dollars in property damage by absorbing flood waters and serving as buffers during storms. The National Weather Service estimates annual flood damage costs have risen to $3.1 billion per year. Flood damage costs have tripled since 1950.

Flood damage is worse where we have lost wetlands.

Damage from flooding and water erosion tends to increase as wetlands disappear. States that have lost 80 percent or more of their wetlands – Ohio, Kentucky, California, and Missouri, for example – have experienced their worst flooding during recent years.

We are still losing our wetlands.

Since 1780, the United States has lost more than half of its wetlands. A 1997 survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that roughly 120,000 acres of wetlands are being destroyed annually.

Wetlands provide habitat.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports, “More than one-third of the United States’ threatened and endangered species live only in wetlands, and nearly half use wetlands at some point in their lives.” About one-third of North American bird species use wetlands and 138 bird species cannot survive without wetland habitats.

Wetlands promote tourism and recreation.

Wetlands provide opportunities for popular activities such as hiking, fishing, hunting, and boating. American adults spend $59.5 billion annually on hunting, fishing, bird-watching, or photographing wildlife.

There is no tracking mechanism for wetlands.

The National Academy of Sciences found that no federal agencies are accurately tracking the nation’s wetlands to see if the losses to development each year are adequately compensated.

This is not about “more government regulations.”

This legislation simply ensures the same protection that existed before January of 2001. If we don’t protect wetlands, we jeopardize our drinking water and property values. Without regulations, developers will continue to fill in these wetlands while they can.

We should pass this bill right now.

In January 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the federal government can no longer protect isolated wetlands. The Court essentially changed the way the law worked for many years. Developers are now filling in wetlands while they can. We must act now.

The Supreme Court did not rule on the value of wetlands.

The Supreme Court did not rule on the value of wetlands, they simply decided on the procedural issue of federal jurisdiction. Unfortunately, this created a legal loophole, and developers are now filling in isolated wetlands to take advantage of this new, unprotected status. If we don’t act now, we will continue to lose valuable wetlands.