Wetlands Protection

Freshwater wetlands are fragile natural resources, which help to filter pollutants from water, reduce flooding, provide habitats for the region's wildlife, and provide recreational opportunities such as birdwatching, hunting and fishing. Although the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulate certain wetlands, a municipality may assume jurisdiction over all wetlands within its boundaries provided its law is no less protective than the State and federal laws governing wetlands protection. A municipal wetland ordinance can help to protect wetlands that might not be protected under state and federal laws.

Municipalities can also protect wetlands by considering wetlands in their master plans, zoning ordinances, subdivision and site plan reviews; or establishing a wetland conservation easement program.

Communities can also educate landowners on the importance of wetlands and involve residents in projects to restore or create new wetlands. Wetland restoration and construction projects can help treat stormwater runoff, mitigate flooding, and enhance a neighborhood or community's aesthetics and recreational activities. Properties bordering wetlands often have higher property values than those that do not.

Another way to address the loss of wetlands is through a wetlands banking program, which is a system of trading wetlands credits. Wetlands credits are accrued through creation of wetlands. Those credits may then be either used to offset wetlands losses as a result of another project by the same developer, or sold on the open market to developers who need to comply with wetlands regulations. This system is not project-specific, and can be a promising approach to creating useful wetland habitats if it is incorporated into a larger habitat conservation plan, such as a local or regional watershed plan.