Reform Wetlands Policies

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Wetlands regulations do a poor job of protecting wetlands habitat. Much federal regulation focuses on preventing development on lands that are dry most days of the year and that do not provide useful habitat for wildlife. In contrast, private initiatives have successfully ensured the protection, restoration, and creation of vital wetlands habitat around the nation. Yet federal wetlands regulations have seriouslyimpeded such private wetlands protection initiatives, and even have forced some parties to abandon attempts to provide such habitat. Policies that can better ensure private wetlands protection, while eliminating destructive and needless red tape, include the following.