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<br />110 <br /> <br />other uses of wetlands in the public interest, 1.ncluding <br />recreational, scientific, and cultural uses. <br /> <br />The term "new construction" includes draining, dredging, channelizing, <br />filling, diking, impounding, and related activities, and any structures or <br />facilities begun or authorized after the effective date of the Order. <br /> <br />Executive Order 11988 on Flood Plain Management was issued on the same <br />d ate as EO II 990. It directs each federal agency to take necessary actlon <br />to reduce the risk of flood loss and to restore and preserve the natural and <br />beneficial values served by flood plains whenever the agency undertakes a <br />federally "assisted" construction or improvement. The Order specifl.cal.ly <br />includes federal regulatory activities and directs each federal agency to: <br /> <br />take flood plain management into account when formulating or <br />evaluating any water or land use plan" and <br /> <br />require land and water resources use appropriate to the degree 0 f <br />hazard involved. <br /> <br />Under the Order, the term "flood plain" applies to 10wlsIOd and flat areas <br />adjoining inland waters (streams) and includes the area subject to a one <br />percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year. The Order has been <br />interpreted as directing each agency to take affirmative action to reduce <br />flooe:! risk and to restore and preserve natural. resources served by <br />flood plains and not merely to consider flood plain protection in dE!cision <br />lliaking (Condon 1980). <br /> <br />P"blic int"rest in wetlands and wildlife has escalslted along with ever <br />increasing human population, environmental awareness and increased I.eisure <br />ti",e. Sportsmen are no longer the only interest group concerned wil:h <br />wetlands. Wetlands serve as outdoor laboratories for education classes from <br />elementary through college levels. They are frequented by birdwatchers, <br />hikers, canoeists, nature photographers and other people interested in <br />seeing diverse and abundant wildlife. <br />