How will the restored wetlands benefit the community?
Restored wetlands offer many social and economic benefits to the local community. Wetlands provide an area of scenic and natural beauty that many enjoy for recreational purposes. They are also able to reduce property damage from flooding by absorbing the energy from severe weather conditions. It has been estimated by biologists that just one acre of wetlands provides over $100,000 per year in services. For example, the natural water purification function provides the local community with a no-cost water treatment plant. Also, there are many very expensive projects being implemented throughout the nation to reintroduce fish populations for sport and commercial fishing interests. The fish propagation capacity of a wetland achieves this at minimal cost.
