About the Wetlands Deskbook

• Author: Margaret 'Peggy' Strand/Lowell Rothschild
• Pages: 1-1

Page 1

Federal wetla nds law is very simple and very complex for the same reason—t here is no federal wetlands

statute. Rather, there are robust provisions under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and other laws that provide

protection in va rious ways to many wet lands. Part I of this primer focuses primarily on the CWA §404

program, which is the primary source of federal regulatory authority over wetlands. Part II addresses other

federal laws that concern wetlands, including additional provisions of the CWA, some of the programs

administered by other federal agencies, and the wetlands programs applicable on agricultural lands.

Federal wetla nds law has also been in ux since the 1970s. e multiple statutes and regulations that

address this important topic are subject to further interpretation in government documents and court deci-

sions. At the same time t hat this makes wetlands law a cha llenging legal practice, it creates dicu lties for

regulated parties, regu lators, and all persons interested in wetlands. We hope that this Deskbook can help.

About This Book

Wetlands Deskbook