1. Integrating Wetlands and Watershed Management: Lessons from the U.S.
By Dr. Jon Kusler
Association of State Wetland Managers
P.O. Box 269, 1434 Helderberg Trail
Berne, N.Y USA

2. Outline History of Effort in the U.S.
Progress in Integrating Wetlands and Water Resources Management
Examples of Techniques
Problems Encountered
Suggested Future Directions Based on What We Have Learned

3. Historical Perspective
Water and Wetlands Management in U.S. Prior to 1970
Adoption of Environmental Programs in 1970’s and 1980
Federal:
1968 National Environmental Policy Act
1972 Water Pollution Control Act
1990 No Net Loss Wetland Goal
Farm Bill and Many Other Acts
State
Local
Implementation in the 1970s to 2003

14. Losses Nationally over one half of all historical wetlands destroyed
Over 75% destroyed in many states
Many of the remaining wetlands degraded due to pollution, impaired hydrologic regimes, fragmentation, loss of adjacent buffer habitat

15. WATER RESOURCE PROBLEMS RESULTING FROM WETLAND LOSSES
Increased Nonpoint Pollution
Increased Flooding
Increased Erosion
Increased Sedimentation of Reservoirs
Loss of Groundwater Recharge
Loss of Water Recreation
Loss of Waterfowl
Loss of Fish, Mammals, Amphibians, Reptiles
Loss of Educational, Research Opportunities
Loss of Heritage Values
Loss of Biodiversity

16. Mississippi River Flooding Near St. Louis in 1993

21. Adoption of No Net Loss Goal (1990)
The National Wetland Policy Forum in 1990 recommended the following interim and long term goals (See Protecting America’s Wetlands: An Action Agenda, The Conservation Foundation, Washington, D.C.)
Interim Goal: To achieve no overall net loss of the nation’s remaining wetlands base.
Long Term Goal: To increase the quantity and quality of the nation’s wetlands resource base.

22. ADOPTION OF REGULATORY STANDARDS FOR WETLANDS AND OTHER AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
No net loss of functions and acreage
Avoid wetlands if there are practical alternatives
Mitigate (reduce) project impacts
Compensate for impacts through restoration, creation, or enhancement

23. Wetlands and Water Resources Management Efforts
Are multiobjective;
Bring the biological/botanical and engineering/water resources communities together;
Generate maps and other wetlands and water resources information;
Help key actors (stakeholders) form collaborative visions for the future; and
Provide consensus-building and conflict resolution mechanisms.

24. Wetlands and Water Resources Management Efforts
Are being undertaken at a variety of scales at federal, state, and local levels of government.
Include a variety of traditional water resources projects with wetland components: pollution control, stormwater management, floodplain management, erosion control, water supply, recreation.
Include a variety of ecosystem-related wetland, floodplain, riparian area and aquatic resource projects with broader water resources management components.
Include a variety of watershed planning, coastal zone, river, floodplain management, greenway and other multiobjective resource management planning and implementation and projects.

25. Wetlands and Water Resources Management Efforts
Are being implemented through a broad range of techniques:
Public education efforts
Mapping and inventory efforts
Land and water use plans and regulations
Wetland and floodplain restoration projects
Greenways
Water projects and other public works projects
Acquisition programs
Tax incentive programs

31. BENEFITS OF INTEGRATED WETLANDS AND WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
Less costly and more effective achievement of multiple goals
Reduced conflicts
Facilitated regulatory permitting
Improved political acceptability
Improved funding capabilities

32. BRING TOGETHER KEY MANAGERS
ENGINEERS
HYDROLOGISTS
BIOLOGISTS AND BOTANISTS
LAND USE PLANNERS
FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS
OTHERS

33. EXAMPLES OF INTEGRATED APPROACHES TO TRADITIONAL WATER RESOURCES
FLOOD LOSS REDUCTION AND EROSION CONTROL
STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
WATER SUPPLY
POLLUTION CONTROL
OUTDOOR RECREATION

34. WETLANDS AND FLOOD LOSS REDUCTION
Adoption of restrictive floodplain regulations to protect flood storage and conveyance areas
Creation of greenways
Relocation of structures
Bioengineering of stream banks

35. Restrictive Regulations

36. Greenways

37. Restoration of Fragmented Corridors

38. Bioengineering

39. Wetlands and Stormwater Management
Preservation of natural detention areas
Construction of new wetland/stormwater detention areas
Retrofitting existing detention areas
Preservation of stream buffers

40. Preservation of Natural Detention Areas and Grassed Channels

42. Retrofitting Existing Detention Areas

43. Source Water Protection
Protection of natural stream buffers
Wetland restoration
Erosion control through bioengineering

44. Protection of Natural Buffers

46. Bioengineering

47. Pollution Control Fencing Buffer Strips Construction of Wetlands
Wetland Restoration
Stream Restoration

49. Setbacks and Buffers

50. Constructed Wetlands

51. Wetland Restoration

52. Stream Restoration

53. Outdoor Recreation Hiking, Biking, Walking Ecotourism
Canoeing and Boating Opportunities

54. Hiking, Biking, Walking Trails

55. Boardwalks, Birdwatching, Ecotourism

57. Problems and Restraints
Separate Program Mandates and Goals
Lack of Money
Lack of Staff
Lack of Expertise
Turf Battles
Lack of Scientific Know-How
Lack of Incentives to Bring Key Actors to the Table
Conflicts in Goals and Statutes
Political Pressures for Development
Many Restoration Projects Partially Failing

58. Summary: Keys to Successful Integration
Educate the Public and Government Agencies
Rethink Watershed Management to Include Ecosystem Protection
Adopt No Net Loss Goal
Bring Key Actors Together on Specific Projects
Develop Multiobjective Data Bases
Employ New Technologies (e.g., GIS)
Look for “Win/Win” Opportunities
Be Practical

59. THANK YOU