Author Description

Recent investigations have shown that rising sea levels are having a significant impact on tidal wetlands in many areas of the United States. Higher water levels are inundating lower portions of these marshes and converting them to tidal flats, while portions of the high marsh are being converted to low marsh. The importance of coastal marshes to marine and estuarine ecosystems and migratory waterfowl is widely recognized. Because of these and other values (e.g., storm surge detention), most coastal states have adopted specific legislation to protect these highly valued natural resources. The State of Connecticut was among the first states to pass such legislation and has been protecting its tidal wetlands since 1970. While this law has virtually eliminated the once-widespread dredging and filling of tidal wetlands, nature's forces (i.e., rising sea level) continues to impact these wetlands.