Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court determined that the protection of isolated wetlands was best left to state or local governments. With two-thirds of the U.S. lacking regulatory programs that comprehensively address wetlands, that decision left a significant portion of our nation's wetlands unregulated.
While once thought to have no redeeming value, we now know that wetlands serve a variety of purposes, from flood control to pollution filters to providing critical habitat to the wildlife that so many enjoy watching, hunting, and fishing. As a result of this value, many states are scrambling to fill the regulatory void.
Wisconsin was the first state to respond. Within four months of the high court's decision, Wisconsin's legislature unanimously passed legislation to protect isolated wetlands.
The cover story in this edition of Coastal Services outlines the Supreme Court's ruling, its impact on states, and Wisconsin's legislative response.
Other articles look at how a New Jersey National Estuarine Research Reserve is sharing data collected through an ocean observing system with the public and coastal resource managers; an effort in Guam that has managers taking coral reef education on the road; and how motorized wheelchairs are getting people with disabilities moving on a San Diego beach.
Sharing information is one of the most important things coastal managers can do to assist their efforts in developing new coastal and ocean policy. For this reason, I encourage managers to attend The Coastal Society's 18th International Conference being held May 19 through 22 in Galveston, Texas.
During its 25 years of representing those involved with coastal and marine issues, The Coastal Society has sought to promote communication and education on emerging issues. This year's conference will explore interrelationships among the physical, ecological, cultural, and political currents that converge at the coast, including the new challenges brought about by the recent wave of terrorism around the world. I hope to see you there.
-- Margaret A. Davidson
