Notes
Slide Show
Outline
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WETLANDS
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Regulatory Definitions of Wetlands
  • Corps/EPA:
  •     “areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditions.”
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Wetland Delineations
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1987 Corps-EPA MOA                on Wetland Delineations
  • “Day to day” wetland determinations were delegated to the Corps; however,the EPA retained the authority to make wetland determinations in “special cases.”


  • Corps must adhere to EPA guidelines and agency decisions concerning the geographic scope of the 404 program.
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Wetland Functions and Values
  • Prevent flooding and erosion
  • Filter out harmful pollutants
  • Habitat for endangered species
  • Nesting grounds for birds and    spawning grounds for commercial fish
  • Source of recreation and income
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Southeast Wetland Losses
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Corps’ Regulatory Authority
  • Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899



  • Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1972
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Section 10
  • Extends to the Ordinary High Water Mark of Navigable Waterbodies


  • Requires Permit for all Activities affecting the Water’s Course, Location, Condition and Capacity
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Clean Water Act Section 404
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WATERS OF THE U.S.
  • Navigable Waters
  • Interstate Waters
  • Other Waters, The Use, Degradation or Destruction Of Which Could Affect Interstate Commerce
  • Impoundments
  • Tributaries To Any Of The Above
  • Territorial Seas
  • Wetlands Adjacent To Any Of The Above
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Corps Expands “Navigable Waters”
  • Phase I (1975): navigable waters and adjacent wetlands.
  • Phase II (1976): Lakes over five acres and adjacent wetlands and tributaries Phase I waters.
  • Phase III (1977): All other waters of the United States which are necessary for water quality.
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Waters that could affect interstate commerce
  • Migratory Bird Rule
  • Waters which make up an endangered species habitat.
  • Waters used to irrigate crops sold in interstate commerce.
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Interpretations of SWANCC
  • Narrow interpretation: SWANCC only invalidated the migratory bird rule. Corps can assert jurisdiction over non-navigable or isolated waters that connect in some way to interstate or navigable waters.
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What happens now?
  • How far will the courts go to find a navigable water connection?


  • Corps must establish a sufficient nexus between the subject water body and a navigable water.


  • How will courts interpret adjacency?
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WATERS OF THE UNITED STATES
  • Navigable Waters
  • Interstate Waters
  • Other Waters, The Use, Degradation or Destruction Of Which Could Effect Interstate Commerce
  • Impoundments
  • Tributaries To Any Of The Above
  • Territorial Seas
  • Wetlands Adjacent To Any Of The Above
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Wetland losses in Mississippi
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Primary causes of wetland loss in Mississippi
  • Conversion to agriculture
  • Commercial and residential development
  • Agricultural and industrial runoff
  • Highway and flood control projects
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"Coastal Wetlands Protection Act"
  • Coastal Wetlands Protection Act
  • The Mississippi Coastal Program
  • The 401 Water Quality Certification Program
  • The Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Law
  • The Mississippi Storm Water Management District Act
  • Wildlife Heritage Fund
  • Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Program
  • Mississippi Natural Heritage Law of 1978
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Mississippi’s Coastal Wetlands
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401 Water Quality Certification Program
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Air & Water Pollution   Control Law
  • The Mississippi Air and Water Pollution Control Law limits state regulatory authority to “waters of the State.”
  • To not be considered a “water of the State” the waterbody must be hydrologically landlocked on private property and not subject to regulation under the CWA.
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The Fish and Wildlife Classification
  • Fishing
  • Support aquatic life and wildlife
  • Secondary contact
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Hypothetical
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Options in Mississippi
  • LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
  • The Mississippi Storm Water Management District Act


  • PRIVATE CITIZENS
  • Wildlife Heritage Fund
  • Migratory Waterfowl Stamp Program
  • Mississippi Natural Heritage Law of 1978


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