CHAPTER III-5

WETLAND PRESERVATION & RESTORATION

INTRODUCTION

Wetlands provide an essential role in maintaining the ecosystem.  The role and benefits of wetlands in improving water quality, providing habitat for fish and wildlife, storing and delaying floodwaters, acting as buffer areas, and providing areas for outdoor recreation are well documented.  However, in the context of the MRBC Master Plan, the preservation and restoration of wetlands may be utilized as a flood control measure.

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 provide the framework for the federal government’s role in regulating activities that impact wetlands.  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USCOE) administers federal regulation with oversight by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  In addition to federal requirements, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) regulates wetlands, in Indiana, under Section 401 of the CWA.  The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) coordinates the development and implementation of the Indiana Wetlands Conservation Plan.  This Plan is a policy document for regulatory and conservation practices in Indiana that has been adopted by the Natural Resource Commission.

The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) has been successfully working with willing landowners to restore wetland habitats since 1994.  The northern third of the state, including the Maumee River Basin, is one of the WRPs focus areas.  Projects have included tree planting, macro topography restoration, ditch plugs, tile breaks, dikes, and water control structures.  The success of the WRP depends on the diverse partnerships of private and public entities - including the MRBC with an emphasis to protect wetlands as a flood control measure.

This Master Plan Update allows the MRBC to continue to promote the importance of wetland preservation and restoration, where appropriate, to reduce social, physical, and economic losses from flood events.

1995 MASTER PLAN REVISITED

The 1995 MRBC Master Plan recommended that wetlands be preserved, restored, and enhanced to function as 1) a flood control measure and 2) an alternative land use.  As a flood control measure, wetlands could be effective to lower the flood stage in small drainage areas of the Basin.  In flood prone agricultural areas, with crop losses in the 1% annual chance event floodplain, wetlands provide an alternative land use with recreational, water quality, and wildlife benefits.

MRBC ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Wherever possible, the MRBC has promoted the preservation and restoration of wetlands as a flood control measure and as an alternative land use.  However, the MRBC has not been directly involved in these types of projects.

2008 MASTER PLAN ENHANCEMENTS

The MRBC acknowledges the efforts of the NRCS Wetland Reserve Program in the Maumee River Basin and will continue to promote wetland preservation and enhancement.  However, the MRBC does not intend to be involved in the permitting, funding, or planning of the projects themselves.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The MRBC should:

  1. Continue to educate landowners with wetlands about the social, physical, and economic value to preserving wetlands as a flood control measure and alternative land use.

  2. Promote Wetland Reservoir Subsurface Irrigation Systems as a method of providing seasonal floodplain storage by “temporarily” plugging drainage tiles in late fall after crops have been harvested and then removing said plug several weeks prior to spring planting season. This dual use of property could provide water quality benefits, wildlife habitat, and stormwater runoff detention.

 

MRBC Master Plan - Wetland Preservation & Restoration