Farm Bill-Related Wetland Protection and Restoration Opportunities

Waterfowl managers and conservationists in general have identified the loss of wetland habitat as a major problem facing the waterfowl resource. The direct linkage of agricultural development to wetland losses now have been quantified through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Wetlands Status and Trend Report. The report states that more than 85 percent of all wetlands lost between the mid 1950s and 19702 were ultimately converted to agricultural purposes. Until passage of the Food Security Act of 1985 (Farm Bill), the future of wetland conservation efforts appeared bleak.