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Wildlife Habiat

Wetlands

Wetland Restoration and Enhancement

Wetland benefits and values include storm water storage, ground water recharge, nutrient recycling, sediment filtering, and wildlife habitat. Over 87percent of Indiana's wetlands have been degraded or destroyed. Wetland restoration aims to restore drained or degraded wetlands to the point that soils, hydrology, vegetation, and biological habitats are returned to their natural condition or as close as possible. You should obtain the required local, state, and federal permits before beginning any wetland restoration project (see FNR-171 for more information). Often, blocking drainage tile or installing a basic water control structure (wetland video) can restore a wetland. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) (812/334-4261) can provide technical and financial assistance at little or no cost to you for many wetland restoration projects. Also, contact your count NRCS office or see FNR-87. The following guidelines can make a wetland more beneficial to wildlife.

Regulations

Before you begin work in and around wetlands, you should be aware of current state and federal regulations designed to protect wetlands and seek the appropriate permits. Wetlands, Regulations, and You: What Every Indiana Farmer Needs to Know (FNR-171) (139 kb)

• Design
• Management
• Plant Establishment
• Waste Treatment
• Restoration
• Values