Recommendations for research to develop guidelines for the use of wetlands to control rural nonpoint source pollution

Abstract

Natural wetlands should not be used to reduce rural nonpoint source (NPS) problems. Properly designed restored or created wetlands, however, can be used for this purpose in many agricultural landscapes. Agricultural landscapes in which wetlands can be easily restored are the most suitable areas. Major technical issues that need to be resolved before effective and realistic guidelines can be developed for using restored wetlands to reduce NPS pollution include: (1) the effects of contaminants, particularly sediments and pesticides, on restored wetlands; (2) the fate of organic contaminants in restored wetlands; (3) the development of site selection criteria; and (4) the development of design criteria. There are also many social, economic, and political barriers to using restored wetlands. Social and economic issues that need to be resolved include: (1) what is the most appropriate landscape unit for wetland restoration programs? (2) where should wetlands be sited?; (3) who will make siting decisions?; (4) how can landowner cooperation for restoration programs be obtained?; (5) who will pay for wetland restorations?; and (6) how cost effective is this approach? Watersheds are recommended as the natural landscape unit for planning, implementing, and administering restoration projects. Eight different research projects are identified: five technical projects (watershed-level demonstration projects, effects of contaminants on wetlands, suitainable loading rates for contaminants, landscape or watershed simulation models, and site selection and design criteria for restored wetlands) and three economic and social projects (attitudes of farmers and rural leaders, legal and public policy implications, and economic costs and benefits).