Assessing the Barriers to and Potential for Wetland Restoration in Agricultural Watersheds

Assessing the Barriers to and Potential for Wetland Restoration in Agricultural Watersheds

2007

Minnesota has lost the majority of its wetlands to settlement, agricultural activities, federal policies that encouraged drainage, and early negative public opinion of wetlands. During the past 30 years, the desire to preserve and restore wetlands has grown as society has increasingly realized the many ecological, hydrological, aesthetic, and recreational benefits wetlands provide. Even in light of this desire, wetland restoration has proven problematic because of conflicting land uses and values, lack of funding and resources, and inefficient and inconsistent federal and state programs. Local communities have attempted to overcome these problems by taking a more active role in wetland restoration. This article examines the availability of programs that facilitate the restoration of wetlands and assesses the barriers to adoption of these programs. The research on which this article is based was supported in part by a grant from CURA’s Faculty Interactive Research Program.

Sands, Gary R.
Johnson, Stephanie

Associate Professor and Extension Engineer
Houston Envineering Inc.

State of Minnesota

10

Water Use & Availability
Water Economics

watershed
watersheds
water shed
water sheds
water-shed
water-sheds
wetland
wetlands
wet land
wet lands
wet-land
wet-lands
wetland restoration
wetland restorations
Agricultural Water Quality Concern
Agricultural Water Quality Concerns
agricultural water use
agriculture water use
agricultural water usage
agriculture water usage
watershed management
watershed managements
water-shed management
water-shed managements
water shed management
water shed managements
watershed restoration
water-shed restoration
water shed restoration
watershed restorations
water-shed restorations
water shed restorations

2000-2009

Yes

Public Domain

Minnesota Water Research Digital Library