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Texas Agriculture Archive

April 21, 2006

Wetlands increase in U.S.

Wetlands acreage increased in the United States from 1998 to 2004 by 191,800 acres, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This was the first increase since the service began compiling data on wetlands acreage in 1954. The accomplishment was hailed by Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns at a recent press conference.

Total wetland acreage is 107.7 million acres, or 5 percent of the land area of the lower 48 states, according to the report.

The net gain in wetlands areas was attributed to construction of freshwater ponds and wetland restorations on agricultural and conservations lands. "Farmers and ranchers are leaders in the wetland restoration and protection efforts throughout the United States," said Johanns.