efficiency and effectiveness of the nation's efforts to protect and manage its wetlands. Thus, it is important to continue to work toward the balanced implementation of recommendations of concern to all interests during the process of implementing these recommendations. We have been pleased to see increased attention to wetlands protection since the Forum presented its report and recommendations last November. President Bush endorsed the no overall net loss The Environmental Protection Agency has prepared a recommendations. In February, the National Governors' Association And in March, the National Association of Committee also approved a resolution endorsing a Taken together, these actions provide a good start for building a coordinated, effective, and efficient wetlands protection and management program. But many of the steps that the Forum recommended require congressional action. The Forum explicitly noted the importance of amending federal law to provide important elements of a framework for improved wetlands protection. Adoption of the no overall net loss goal in federal legislation as national policy should be a first step. This goal will provide guidance for all wetlands policies and a yardstick with which to measure progress. Clearly, the Clean Water Act's Section 404 should be amended, both to enable states to take a more active role, and to provide for an improved baseline federal program. Regulatory programs that are reactive in nature will continue to be unequal to the tasks of protecting such a complex resource as wetlands. Programs which are inefficient in the utilization of financial and human resources will exert a drain on the nation's energies. Action by Congress on these and other Forum proposals is critical, since it can provide the leadership, guidance, resources, and authority for actions by states, local governments, and the private sector. We recognize that the complexity of wetlands issues matched only by the complexity of congres - sional jurisdiction over these issues means that action will take time and statesmanship. begin as soon as possible. This is all the more reason to All levels of government are facing tight budgetary constraints and must move cautiously on recommendations that increase expenditures. In the case of wetlands resource management there is a need to improve the nation's "return on investment." We believe the Forum program represents this improvement. Mr. Chairman, thank you again for the opportunity to provide the views of the National Wetlands Policy Forum. We pledge not only to work with you and other committees, but to help ensure that states, local governments, and the general public are made aware of the critical role they may play in wetlands protection. Enclosed are the responses to questions which you and Representative Jolene Unsoeld addressed to Mr. David G. Davis, Director, Office of Wetlands Protection, regarding the Environmental Protection Agency's wetlands program. These questions arose from hearing held on May 17, 1989. I hope this information will be helpful to you and the members of the subcommittee. If there is any further information we may furnish you please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, Barbara Barmener A. Henry Schilling Enclosure 1. Questions Submitted by Congressman Gerry Studds Question: The wetlands action plan your agency issued last In In It would be impossible to estimate what percentage of wetland losses could be addressed through EPA's current actions. contemplating solutions to these losses, agricultural conversions are a significant problem deserving greater attention. EPA is working with the Department of Agriculture, and the Fish and Wildlife Service to improve the existing Conservation Reserve Program, Water Bank Program, and "Swampbuster" provisions to increase the wetlands protected and restored. In addition, this group will identify potential changes to the 1990 Farm Bill for those actions which cannot take place administratively. Although EPA has a vital role to play in wetlands protection, management, and restoration, it is important to keep in mind the many other public and private groups which all must act in order to achieve a national goal or no net loss. |