What is a Freshwater
Wetland?
New
York's Freshwater Wetlands Act identifies wetlands on the basis of vegetation.
Characteristic wetland plants include wetland trees and shrubs, such as willows
and alders; emergent plants, such as cattails and sedges; aquatic plants, such
as water-lily, and bog mat vegetation, such as sphagnum moss. There are three
major types of wetlands: bogs, swamps and marshes. Each type is identified by
its soil, vegetation and hydrology. It is important to remember that wetlands
are not necessarily wet year- round.
How Do I Find out Whether I have a Wetland on My Property?
The
Freshwater Wetlands Act of New York
State requires the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) map all wetlands protected by the Act.
These are generally wetlands that are at least 12.4 acres in size.
The Army Corps
of Engineers regulates wetlands
smaller than 12.4 acres through the Clean
Water Act. There are no maps identifying
these wetlands. To find out whether you
have a wetland regulated by the Clean Water
Act, contact your
local Army Corps of Engineers office.
Top
Why Protect
Wetlands?
Wetlands are extremely
valuable to both people and the
environment along the Lake Ontario
shoreline. Some of the functions
and benefits of wetlands especially
important to Lake Ontario shoreline
owners include:
Erosion and Sedimentation Control -
Wetlands act as buffers along shorelines,
protecting the property from waves or
stream activity. Wetland vegetation filters
out sediment by decreasing water velocity
and settling suspended particles in the
wetland, thereby preventing the sediment
from reaching the lake.
Flood Protection and Abatement -
Wetlands act like giant sponges, soaking
up excess water and releasing it slowly.
Water Filtration and Purification -
Wetlands are capable of filtering many
pollutants from water that
is destined for lakes, rivers and your
drinking source water. Water leaving
a wetland is frequently cleaner than
water entering the wetland.
Fish and Wildlife Habitat -
Wetlands are one of the most productive
and valuable wildlife habitats. Many
species of fish and wildlife depend on
wetlands for breeding, nesting and feeding.
Due to the loss of wetland habitat, many
of New York's endangered fish, wildlife
and plant species depend
on remaining wetlands.
Recreation - Wetlands provide a variety of recreational
opportunities, including fishing, bird watching, photography, canoeing,
hiking, hunting and trapping.
Top
How
to Protect Your Wetlands
-
Use docks or boardwalks to cross
a wetland rather than filling it
in. In
many cases special
permits are
needed to fill wetlands. Instead,
consider a dock or boardwalk.
- Layout
access paths along
high ground. This
may mean a longer
walk, but this method
is much cheaper
than paying for
a permit or building
a boardwalk.
- Preserve
existing drainage
and never divert
water to or from
wetland areas. Besides
damaging your wetland
by diverting water,
this activity involves
a lot of labor
and upkeep.
- Avoid clearing
or replacing natural
native vegetation
along the wetland
edge. Try
for a minimum edge
width of 50 feet.
This area is important
for protecting water
quality, preventing
erosion and providing
habitat for many
species.
- Control
exotic/invasive plant species. Exotic/invasive
plant species to
be concerned about in
Lake Ontario wetlands
are purple
loosestrife (Lythrum
salicaria),
common
reed (Phragmites
australis) and
water
chestnut (Trapa
natans).
These species were not
originally found in Lake
Ontario wetlands and
are of little or no value
to the species inhabiting
the wetlands. In fact, these
species are known for choking
out the plants that are
valuable to wildlife in your
wetland and overtaking the
entire area. Remember, just
because they may be beautiful,
they could very well be
destroying your wetland habitat.
Visit the invasive
species page
for pictures and
information.
- Follow
State and Federal Wetland
Regulations
State and federal
laws and regulations
mandate what you
can and cannot do to
wetlands on your property.
Visit the Important
Regulations page
to learn
more
about
regulations
affecting
wetland
owners
in New
York
State.
