Section 11.4 - AP Environmental

How does the United States attempt to reduce wetland losses?

- A U.S. law requires a federal permit to fill in or deposit dredge material in more than 3 acres of wetland. - *Mitigation banking:* allows destruction of of existing wetlands as long as an equal area of the same type of wetland is created or restored.

Ecological services provided by wetlands

1. Provide food. 2. Erosion control. 3. Filter water.

What percentage of the U.S. coastal and inland wetlands has been destroyed since 1900?

More than 50%.

Florida Everglades restoration

Since 1948, the everglades have been damaged, drained, diverted, and paved over. In 1990, the *Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan* (CERP) was created to: 1. restore the curving flow of most of the Kissimmee River 2. remove canals and levees in strategic locations 3. flood farmland to create artificial marshes. The project has been unsuccessful because of high cost and little improvement.