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2. WOULD THE PROJECT HAPJPEN Bur FOR U~GACY FUNDING? Clearly, the Legacy funding potential that existed at the time gave rise to the idea of a "Wetlands Initiative." The opportunity for funding described in GOCO's Legacy Program helped shape the design of the WI. The fact that the WI is a major component of the WP assures that the act of conserving wetlands will happen, but without fundin,g for the WI those efforts would be impacted. The WI Partners have joined in this effort with expectations and hopes for GOCO funding, all being familiar with GOCO and knowing that, up to the time GOCO deo;i,des on Legacy Projects, funding is not a sure thing. Given all this, it can be stated that Legacy jlimding would be a major factor in the project moving forward. 3. CHARACTERISTICS AND NEED FOR THE PROJECT A. Project Sigllificance and Need The WI will provide wildlife habitat and protect natural resources of statewide significance. In many cases, the projects will incorporate goals for wildlif~: and natural areas with open space protection. Watchable wildlife and environmental education opportunities will also be incorporated into many of the projects. I) How does the project provide a special and unique opportunity that would not exist in the State if the project were not complett:d? A unique opportunity exists to participate in a truly !.tatewide-scale protection effort. The partnerships that has been formed represent a unique opportunity to work with a diversity of partners toward a common goal Wetlands are a biologically diverse habitat and this effort represents a unique opportunity to directly protect that biological diversity. Wetland complexes come in a variety of types, some very rare or unique, thus, their potential conservation is a unique opportunity. 2) How does the WI provide substantial and significant conservation of lands? The WI provides, to a high degree, substantial and significant conservation of lands, primarily wetlands and wetlands related uplands: . open space - when a wetlands is conserved it provides open space; buffers - at times, projects willi be buffers for higher quality wetlands, critical breeding areas or unique plant communities; natural areas - many wetlands conserved will be significant components of natural areas or in-and-of-themselves be natural areas; non-game wildlife habitat - many, if not all, wetllllluis conserved will definitely provide wildlife habitat; , . . 5