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<br />109
<br />
<br />application (see later) must undergo an extensive "publ:Lc interest ,review"
<br />to balance the foreseeable project benefits lmd detriments. Facton \ilich
<br />must be considered include: conserva tion, ec:onomics, ellthetics,
<br />environment, historical values, fish and wildlife value,Il, flood damage
<br />prevention, land use, recreation, water quali,ty, water lIupply, and ,)ther
<br />factors. The Act states that "no permit will be granted unless its issuance
<br />is found to be in the public interest." It DlUSt be det.~rm.ined that the
<br />"benefits of the proposed alteration (to wetl.ands) outw,~igh the damage to
<br />the wetland resource and the proposed alteration is neCE!SSary to realhe
<br />those benefits." Although a particular alteration of ""~tlands may
<br />constitute a minor change, the cumulative effect of num.~rous such piecemeal
<br />changes often results in a major impairment of the wetl.and resources. Thus
<br />the particular wetland site for which an application is made will b,~
<br />evaluated with the recognition that it is part of a complete and
<br />interrelated wetland ecosystem.
<br />
<br />DredRinR refers to digging to produce a spoil (i.e., the material dug).
<br />The deposition of dredged spoil is a major probl.em and the sheer volume of
<br />spoil produced can create serious pollution and land us,~ problems.
<br />Sediments removed from streams, estuaries and harbor bottoms, parti,oularly
<br />in industrialized urban areas, frequently contain toxic heavy metals and
<br />organic chemicals. i<hen redeposited in waters or on wetlands, th"sl! toxi c
<br />substances have the potential to enter food chains and 1;,ater supplies,
<br />smother bottom habitat and increase turbidity.
<br />
<br />Fill is virtually any solid material permanently placed in the water
<br />which replaces an aquatic area with dry land or changes its bottom
<br />elevation. Fill, likewise, can increase turbidi ty and pollute wa ter .1. th
<br />toxic substances. One prime concern associated with fill is that the
<br />man-caused activi ties can make maj or alterations in aquatic ecosystl~ms ~ and
<br />change the hydrological character of watercourses.
<br />
<br />Considerable strength for protection of 1"l!tlands was given upon
<br />issuance of Executive Order 11990 (42 Federal Register 26961) by thE' United
<br />States President in 1977. The Order was prep'lred to avoid, to the .extent
<br />possible, the long and short term adverse impacts assod,ated with the
<br />destruction or modification of wetlands and t:o avoid direct or indirect
<br />support of new construction in wetlands whenever there is a practicable
<br />alternative. By virtue of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and
<br />Executive Order (EO) 11990, federal agencies were mandated to consider a
<br />number of factors relevant to a proposed modification of a wetland on public
<br />or private land, including:
<br />
<br />public health, safety, and welfare, including "'Her supply, qual! ty,
<br />recharge and discharge, pollution, flood and storm hazards, and
<br />sediment and erosion;
<br />
<br />maintenance of natural systems, including conservation and long term
<br />productivity of existing flora and fauna, species and habitat
<br />diversity and stability, hydrologic utility, fish, wildlife, timber,
<br />and food and fiber resources; and
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