EP 1165-2-1
30 Jul 99
protection if the Secretary determines that the project will improve
the quality of the environment, is in the public interest, and is
cost-effective. (See paragraph 19-36 below and the most recent
guidance on the Section 206 program)
19-9. Ecosystem Restoration Relationship to Traditional Environmental
Topics. Thus, as can be seen from the discussion of authorities
above, there is a large body of legislation that supports the Corps
role in ecosystem restoration. Following are discussions that cover a
number of traditional environmental topics and how they relate to
ecosystem restoration and protection.
19-10. Consideration of Wetland Resources Within the Civil Works
Program. Wetlands represent an ecosystem that has generated vast
political, social and scientific interest. Many wetlands are
important natural resources contributing significant benefits to both
the natural and human environments because they are transition areas
between purely terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. As transitional
areas wetlands possess features of both aquatic and terrestrial
systems. Consequently wetlands are generally areas of great natural
productivity, hydrologic utility, and biodiversity, providing natural
flood control, and contributing to improved water quality, flow
stabilization of streams and rivers and habitat for fish and wildlife
resources. Wetlands can also contribute to the production of
agricultural products and timber and provide numerous recreational,
scientific and aesthetic resources of national interest. Because of
the regulatory program established under Section 404 of the Clean
Water Act, as amended, a legal definition of wetlands has been
developed that defines wetlands as " ... 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. Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs and
similar areas." (33 CFR 328.3; see also paragraph 3-5 and Chapter 22)
19-11. Wetland Policy. The Corps recognizes that certain wetlands
constitute a productive and valuable public resource. Their
unnecessary alteration or destruction is discouraged as contrary to
the public interest as these wetlands perform functions important to
the public interest. Wetlands which perform important public interest
functions include:
a. Wetlands which provide significant natural biological
functions, including food chain production, general habitat, and
nesting, spawning, rearing, and resting sites for aquatic or land
species;
b. Wetlands set aside for the study of the aquatic
environments or as sanctuaries or refuges;
c. Wetlands, the destruction or alteration of which, would
detrimentally affect natural drainage characteristics, sedimentation
patterns, salinity distribution, flushing characteristics, current
patterns, or other environmental characteristics;
d. Wetlands which are significant in shielding landward areas
from wave action, erosion, or storm damage. Such wetlands are often
associated with barrier beaches, islands, reefs and bars;
19-7
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