In fact, it has been estimated that as much as 80 percent of our recreationally and commercially important fish species are dependent upon wetlands for at least some portion of their life cycle. Dredging and filling also can degrade the quality of water during and after construction, and can reduce the populations of fish and wildlife. Many wildlife species, some of which are threatened or endangered, need to live in wetlands for all or part of their life.įilling wetlands can increase on-site and off-site flooding. Some wetlands also serve as nursery grounds for fish and rookery areas for birds. Wetlands produce the basic food material used by many fish and other aquatic life. Wetlands also stabilize shorelines, thereby preventing the harmful effects of erosion. As the water passes through the wetlands, pollutants are filtered out. During periods of heavy rainfall, wetlands serve as flood storage areas, where water can spread out without damage to developed uplands. Wetlands provide a number of important and beneficial functions.
The elimination or degradation of wetlands will cause a reduction of beneficial functions provided by the wetlands. Polluted waters can be conveyed off-site through connecting waterbodies. That impact could extend beyond the limits of the work site, affecting other public or private property. This program was established under Chapter 403, F.S., to protect our surface waters from degradation caused by the loss of wetlands and from pollution caused by construction activities.Īlteration of wetlands and other surface waters may have a detrimental impact on the environment.
Why are dredge and fill activities regulated?ĭredging and filling in the surface waters of Florida has been regulated since the early 1970s. The surface waters regulated under the dredge and fill program include bays, bayous, sounds, estuaries, lagoons, rivers, streams, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, most natural lakes, and all waters and wetlands (natural or artificial). Filling means deposition of any material (such as sand, dock pilings or seawalls) in wetlands or other surface waters. Dredging means excavation in wetlands or other surface waters or excavation in uplands that creates wetlands or other surface waters.
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