ARTICLES

Note: The PDF sign indicates articles available for download (to subscribers only) for download in Portable Document Format (.pdf).

Indirect Impacts of Urbanization on Wetland Quality PDF

by Tiffany Wright

Most federal, state, and local wetland permitting programs focus on the wetland boundary, failing to consider activities that occur within a wetland's contributing drainage area. These unregulated activities degrade our urban wetlands, underscoring the need for greater local protection.

Tiffany Wright is a Watershed Analyst at the Center for Watershed Protection in Ellicott City, Maryland, and has co-authored articles in the Wetlands and Watersheds series, as well as manuals in the Urban Watershed Forestry and Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual series published by the Center.

National Wetlands Newsletter subscribers click here to log in and download this article.

Not yet a subscriber? Click here for more information.

Incorporating Wetlands in Water Quality Trading: Economic Considerations PDF

by Matthew T. Heberling, Hale W. Thurston, and Michael Mikota

Market-based approaches for controlling pollution have enjoyed some success in the air quality context but have proven more problematic for water. Encouraging the use of wetlands as a means to reduce effluent in a market-based approach seems like an uphil battle, but some of these difficulties can be overcome thorugh a greater understanding of the economics at play.

Matthew T. Heberling and Hale W. Thurston are economists in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development, National Risk Management Research Laboratory, Sustainable Technology Division, Sustainable Environments Branch, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Michael Mikota was a National Network for Environmental Management Studies Fellow in Washington, DC. The opinions expressed in this Article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of EPA or the National Network for Environmental Management Studies.

National Wetlands Newsletter subscribers click here to log in and download this article.

Not yet a subscriber? Click here for more information.

No Adverse Impact: Working Together to Prevent Harm PDF

by Edward A. Thomas

The primary focus of the “no adverse impact” concept is its call for collaboration amongst all of those involved in complicated land use decisions. As this article demonstrates, floodplain and wetland managers using this approach should fare well, both in the eyes of the community and in the courts.

Ed Thomas is a Floodplain Manager, Disaster Response and Recovery Specialist, and Attorney. This article is a pro bono presentation on behalf of the Association of State Floodplain Managers but reflects the personal views of the author. Thanks to the Baker Company, which provided generous financial support for researching the article.

National Wetlands Newsletter subscribers click here to log in and download this article.

Not yet a subscriber? Click here for more information.

More Inconvenient Truths: Wildfires and Wetlands, SWANCC and Rapanos PDF

by Sydney T. Bacchus

Florida has experienced a number of catastrophic wildfires in recent years. As explained below, this is just one of many negative consequences stemming from the Corps’ failure to adequately protect wetlands after SWANCC. Might Rapanos offer a solution?

Sydney Bacchus is a Hydroecologist with Applied Environmental Services, LLC, and has provided expert testimony regarding wetland impacts in Florida since the 1970s.

National Wetlands Newsletter subscribers click here to log in and download this article.

Not yet a subscriber? Click here for more information.