Wetland Restoration

Lecture Notes | Partners for Fish and Wildlife (FWS) | History of Fish and Wildlife Restoration (FWS) | Restoring Wetlands and Rivers (EPA) | Wetland Restoration Bibliography (Searchable)

Wetland Functions and Values

1. Flood flow alteration
2. Sediment stabilization
3. Sediment/toxicant removal
4. Nutrient removal/transformation
5. Production export
6. Ground water recharge
7. Wildlife habitat/Biological diversity
8. Recreation and aesthetics
9. Natural heritage

Wetland losses

Extensive and continuing

Losses in Prairie Pothole Region states:

Iowa	98%
Minnesota	75%
North Dakota	49%
Montana	27%
South Dakota	35%

Types of wetlands

The classification system of Cowardin et al. (1979, FWS/OBS-79/31) would classify these as:

System	Class	Water Regime Modifier
Non-wetland
Palustrine	Emergent Wetland	Temporarily flooded (A)
Palustrine	Emergent Wetland	Seasonally flooded (C)
Palustrine	Emergent Wetland	Semipermanently flooded (F)
Palustrine	Emergent wetland or Aquatic bed	Permanently flooded (H) or Intermittently exposed (Z)
Palustrine	Unconsolidated shore	Intermittently flooded (J)
Palustrine	Emergent Wetland	Saturated (B)

The National Wetlands Inventory (Fish and Wildlife Service) is mapping wetlands and providing maps in digital form. Each wetland is classified with the Cowardin et al. System (e.g., PEMC for seasonals).

Wetland variation

Vegetation also changes within and among years.

"Hemi-marsh" provides good waterfowl habitat, but may not be static.

Goals of Wetland Restoration

The specific goal(s) will dictate objectives.

Performance standards, monitoring, and evaluation are important.

Methods of Wetland Restoration

Select a site. County soil surveys, NWI maps, aerial photographs can help. Many are available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly SCS). Consider soils (especially hydric soils), average freeze dates, topography, likely hydrology, drainage history, desired wildlife, etc.

Plan for water-containing structures (e.g., dikes), spillways, underground tiles, and water control structures, if needed.

Monitor, manage, evaluate. Control undesirable plants.

Evaluation

North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP)

Over 30 "joint ventures," including Prairie Habitat Joint Venture (Canada) and Prairie Pothole Joint Venture (PPJV) in the U.S. The FWS office in Minneapolis has a PPJV coordinator. The PPJV has added an objective to help non-game birds inhabiting grasslands and wetlands in the region.

The NAWMP goal is to restore waterfowl populations to the levels of the 1970s (17-20 million breeders in the Spring).

PARTNERS FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE

A Habitat Restoration Program of the Fish & Wildlife Service

FORT SNELLING, Minn., May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- During the last decade, thousands of private landowners nationwide have participated in a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) habitat venture known as the Partners for Wildlife program. Nationally, almost 650,000 acres of important fish and wildlife habitat on private land have been restored at no cost to landowners since the program began in 1987.

Partners for Wildlife has been a cooperative effort with private landowner who have voluntarily offered to restore drained, degraded and marginal habitats. Through this program the Service has: 1) Restored important wetlands, associated uplands and riparian corridors for the benefit of migratory birds, endangered species and native fish on private, non-Federal and tribal lands, and 2) Encouraged cooperation with thousands of partners to cost-share expenses of most restoration projects. Partners include state fish and wildlife agencies, soil and water conservation districts, individuals, communities and private conservation organizations.

The program was recently renamed Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFFW) to reflect an increase in funding available to landowners who wish to address specific fisheries resource needs. This cooperative Federal program now also addresses the restoration of riparian and in-stream habitats on private lands.

"While the name has changed to emphasize the program's ecosystem concept, we will maintain the same direct approach to successfully restore and protect habitats in the Upper Midwest," said Bill Hartwig, Service Regional Director.

"We'll continue to restore habitats voluntarily offered by private landowners and to cost-share as many projects as our partners wish to participate in. This program will also continue to provide the same expertise and technical assistance as before. During the past decade, this cooperation has forged one of the best habitat programs to hit the ground. It will continue to be an option for landowners considering a conservation legacy."

Through the PFFW program, the Service contributes funds, technical

assistance and equipment for habitat-restoration projects throughout the nation. Since 1987, more than 70,000 acres of wetlands have been restored in the eight states of the upper Midwest.

Wetland Restoration Summary 1987-1997:

State	IA	IL	IN	MI	MN	MO	OH	WI	Total
Basins Restored	1,077	219	962	1,003	10,295	220	369	3,417	17,562

Estimated Acres 6,064 3,171 5,079 3,934 34,676 7,733 2,126 7,694 70,477

More than 3,500 upper Midwest landowners have signed development agreements with the Service to receive cost-share assistance. To receive this free financial support, landowners voluntarily agree to protect their restored habitats for a minimum of 10 years, thereby guaranteeing the financial investments collectively shared by the Service and its partners. Voluntary participation allows landowners to retain all previous ownership rights and responsibilities, including the right to limit public access.

Contributions from partners during 1997 resulted in the collective restoration of more than 3,200 acres of wetlands. In addition, almost 3,000 acres of upland habitat -- including more than 1,950 acres of native grasses/forbs and 280 acres of bottomland hardwood timber -- were planted.

In addition to enhancing fish and wildlife habitats, soil and water conservation values associated with the PFFW program include reduced runoff, reduced soil erosion, conservation education and outreach potential, enhanced recreational opportunities, and improved economic opportunities.

HISTORY OF FISH AND WILDLIFE RESTORATION

Benjamin Harrison -- Established the first "refuge" in 1892 in Alaska.

Lacey Act of 1900 -- Made it illegal to transport game across state lines if the game was obtained illegally.

Theodore Roosevelt (1902-1910) -- Established Pelican Island in 1903 and then went on to establish many more, 55 in his first term.

Weeks-McLean Act 1913 -- Placed migratory waterfowl under federal protection.

1916 Migratory Bird Treaty with Canada.

1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

1929 National Wildlife Refuge System established.

1934 Duck Stamp, Fish & Wildlife Coordination Act.

1935 Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit Program established.

1936 First North American Natural Resources Conference.

1936 Creation of the National Wildlife Federation.

1937 Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program Act. Two influential people in the passage of this legislation were J.N. "Ding" Darling and Carl Shoemaker. Senator Key Pittman (Nevada) and Representative A. Willis Robertson (Virginia) introduced the Act into the two houses of Congress. The Program became known as the Pittman Robertson or P-R Program.

Established an 11% manufacturer's excise tax on sporting rifles, shotguns, ammunition, and archery equipment used in hunting. Also, a 10% excise tax on handguns.

The U.S. Treasury Department collects the taxes and transfers the money to the Fish & Wildlife Service. Up to 8% of the funds may be retained by the Service for Administration expenses.

Remainder (92%) is apportioned to state wildlife agencies. For each $3 federal money, states must match with $1 state money.

Amount that a state is eligible to receive is determined not by population but by the area of the state and how many hunting licenses are sold in the state. This formula was designed to prevent the large, populated eastern states from getting most of the money.

Since its beginning in 1937, the program has generated over $2 billion into state programs nationwide.