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Wetlands Protection and Restoration

  • America's Wetlands

    Wetlands are areas where water covers soil all or part of the time. Wetlands are important because they protect and improve water quality, provide fish and wildlife habitats, store floodwaters and maintain surface water flow during dry periods.

Learn About Wetlands

coastal wetland
  • What is a Wetland?
    • Types of Wetlands
  • What are the Functions of Wetland?
  • Why are Wetlands Important?
  • Wetlands Materials for Students and Teachers
  • American Wetlands Month
  • Coastal Wetlands

The Science of Wetlands

bird in wetland
  • Monitoring and Assessment
  • Water Quality Standards
  • Volunteer Monitoring
  • Status and Trends of Wetlands in the U.S.
  • Constructed Wetlands

State and Tribal Government Efforts

  • What is the Enhancing State and Tribal Programs Initiative?
  • Developing a Wetland Program Plan
  • Programs Adopted by States and Tribes and Analysis of Core Compoments
  • Examples of State and Tribal Programs

EPA Programs Protecting Wetlands

  • Great Lakes 
  • Gulf of Mexico
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • National Estuary Program
  • San Francisco Bay Delta Watershed

Voluntary Restoration and Protection

Images
  • Basic Information
  • Restoration Definitions and Distinctions
  • Principles of Restoration
  • Using a Watershed Approach to Restoration
  • Incorporating Restoration into Planning Documents
  • What  You Can Do

Funding

  • Federal Funding
  • EPA Wetland Program Development Grants
  • How do I Apply for an EPA Grant?
Key Contacts and Organizations
  • EPA Regional Contacts
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Contacts
  • Association of State Wetland Managers 
  • Association of Clean Water Act Administrators 
Related Topics
  • Dredged and Fill Permitting (CWA §404) (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
  • EPA’s Role in 404 Permitting
  • Geographic Jurisdiction (Waters of the U.S.)
  • Migratory Bird Initiatives
  • National Wetland Condition Assessment
  • Regulations Affecting Wetlands
  • Streams
  • Urban Waters
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on August 23, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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