atural reservoir of water, irreplaceable natural
             classrooms and laboratories, and a vast reserve of food (Cowardin).
             Because they are subject to increasingly pressing claims from
             agriculture- culture, industry, recreation and wildlife, wetlands are becoming
             the focus of much controversy. Tension between exploitation, destruction and
             preservation interests is mounting, and the question of their most
             advantageous use has become on ecological and economic problem of high
             priority, requiring scientific evaluation of both short-term and long-term
             human needs and land capabilities, It is also a crucial ethical problem
             demanding intelligent consideration of the needs of our successors.
             For many years both private and governmental agencies have
             purchased and managed wetlands for public hunting grounds, waterfowl
             preserves, and the preservation of fish spawning areas. Certain wetlands,
             because of their representative or unique biotic communities, have been sat
             aside as scientific reserves (Cowardin). In addition to these specific activities,
             these groups along with the scientific community have sought to identify other
             conservation values, associated with wetlands, requiring preservation for the
             The evaluation of these “conservation values” is at the heart of the
             wetlands debate. What constitutes a need to set aside certain pieces of land
             For each group that wants to preserve our nation’s wetlands there are
             two that want to exploit them. The main drive behind this exploitation
             “movement” is money. There are many economic benefits to be gained from
             the exploitation of our wetlands. The waterfowl, fish, and animals that
             preservationists strive to protect are the same ones that exploiters wish to reap
             Many do not see the inherent value in preserving any natural unique
             ecosystem. They do not understand, or accept that in order for life to continu
             ...