State legislators may be faced with a range of questions about wetlands – what are they, how are they being protected for fish and wildlife, what is their role in flood management?   Public concerns are equally likely to focus on the manner in which wetlands on private property are regulated – by state, federal, or local government.  Development of polices that balance the protection of wetland resources and their public benefits with the needs of landowners, transportation planners, and other development interests can be challenging.

The information on this webpage has been compiled specifically to assist State legislators and their staff in understanding some of the most common public questions and policy issues related to wetlands.  The short articles provided include basic information about wetlands and their importance, and summarize how various states manage these resources.   Information regarding current wetland issues provides a brief introduction to the question at hand, as well as links to more in-depth sources of information either on our website or elsewhere.

ASWM is committed to the effective exchange of information among scientists, wetland managers and policy-makers. If you have a question or if you would like us to address a particular issue, please let us know by contacting us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  The Association of State Wetland Managers would like to thank the Orchard Foundation for its generous support in making these webpages possible.