New Federal Wetlands Policy: The Landowner's Perspective

Abstract

The unveiling of President Clinton's new policy initiative on wetlands on August 24,1993,1 represents an opportunity for more cooperation between government and the private sector about the regulation, planning, and managementof wetlands. There now is little dispute over the proposition that wetlands and their functions are vital to a balanced ecological system. Cooperation is needed, however, to resolve the tension be-tween the goal of providing for effective management and conservation of wetlands and the goals of land and economic development. This article discusses key aspects of the Clinton administration's wetland proposal from the viewpoint of landowners and developers because their market perspective is essential to the effective balancing of the “public interest” contemplated under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act.