General Information: Wetlands

A wetland is defined as an area that is inundated or saturated by surface water or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances does support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions, commonly known as hydrophytic vegetation.

Wetlands are divided into five types: Marine, Estuarine, Lacustrine, Riverine, and Palustrine. The Marine and Estuarine wetlands are associated with coastal areas. Lacustrine wetlands are associated with lakes, Riverine wetlands with rivers and streams, and Palustrine wetlands with marshes, swamps and bogs. They are among the most productive ecosystems in the world.

Wetlands are important in controlling flooding, recharging groundwater, filtering pollutants, and provide habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife. They capture materials such as organic matter, nutrients, heavy metals, and sediment. They absorb excess nitrogen and phosphors.

The areas surrounding wetlands are called transition areas and activities in them are restricted to various distances depending on the value of the wetlands they surround. They provide a buffer to protect the actual wetlands. If a wetland is determined to be of exceptional value (meaning threatened or endangered species are found, or a trout production stream is involved) the buffer can be as much 150 feet. Most wetlands are considered to have intermediate value and require a buffer of fifty feet. In some cases no buffer is required.