Local governments are often best suited to fill wetland regulatory protection gaps because they are better situated to recognize wetland value in the local context. Many cities and towns have already taken steps to provide additional protection for wetland resources by adopting wetland ordinances and incorporating wetland management into smart growth initiatives, stormwater management, flood control, and climate resiliency goals. These actions can result in tangible ecological, sociological, and economic benefits for those communities.
Urban Wetlands Protection and Restoration Guide
NAWM Local Government Publications
Guides and Handbooks
Building Community Resilience with Nature-Based Solutions: A Guide for Local Communities
FEMA - 2020
A Guide to Assessing Green Infrastructure Costs and Benefits for Flood Reduction
NOAA – April 2015
State Specific Resources
New York State Wetland and Watercourse Protection Measures
Washington State Critical Areas Handbook
Washington State Department of Commerce - June 2018
Wisconsin Model Wetland Conservation Ordinance
Wisconsin Wetlands Association – 2016
Other Resources
Green Infrastructure Effectiveness Database
NOAA
Urban Flooding: Moving Towards Resilience
ASFPM Foundation - 2020
Urban Wetland Design Guide: Designing wetlands to improve water quality