Wetland regulation and wildlife habitat protection: proposals for Florida

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Harv. Environ. Law Rev.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6605154

Gramling, III, G F

This article explores the inadequate protection afforded wildlife habitat under Florida laws relating to wetlands and wildlife. The state of Florida is an ideal subject of study, for it contains more wetlands than any other state, about 20% of the nation's total wetland acreage. Florida has seen the destruction of wetlands on an enormous scale. In 1850, the state possessed over 20 million acres of wetlands, in 1984, the figure had dwindled to about 12 million. South Florida alone has lost over one-fourth of its wetlands since 1960. A second reason why Florida is an ideal subject of study is that Florida is the home of many of the nation's rare and endangered animal species, nearly 35% of which live in wetland areas or depend on them for survival. The preservation of Florida's wildlife, especially endangered wildlife, is crucially linked to the preservation of wetlands through the state. Part I discusses the crucial dependency of wildlife upon wetland habitat and describes the effects upon wildlife of the alteration and destruction of wetlands. Part II analyzes wetland law, beginning with an overview of federal controls and concentrating on Florida's statutory and regulatory framework. It then traces developments in the judicial interpretation of Florida wetland law. Part II closes with an analysis of the inadequate protection afforded wildlife habitat under Florida law. Part III suggests five specific statutory and regulatory reforms. 232 references.

• OSTI ID: 6605154
• Journal Information: Harv. Environ. Law Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Harv. Environ. Law Rev.; (United States) Vol. 8:2; ISSN HELRD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
510600* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Regulations-- (-1989)
520600 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Regulations -- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
ECOSYSTEMS
ENDANGERED SPECIES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
HABITAT
NORTH AMERICA
REGULATIONS
USA
WETLANDS
WILD ANIMALS