They contribute to public health and safety, not only for you and your family, but for your community as well. Wetlands protect drinking water, prevent storm damage, and provide fish, shellfish, and wildlife habitats. Wetlands also support commercial fishing, tourism, recreation, and educational opportunities. Landowners have an important role in protecting wetlands. Coastal wetlands are directly adjacent to the ocean and include beaches, salt marshes, dunes, coastal banks, rocky intertidal shores, and barrier beaches.
Inland wetlands are areas where water is at or just below the surface of the ground.
Although these wetlands can appear dry during some seasons, they contain enough water to support certain plants and soils. Inland wetlands include marshes, wet meadows, bogs, and swamps. Wetlands that border on ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams are called bordering vegetated wetlands. However, scientific studies have shown that wetlands protect our health, safety, and property, as well as provide habitat for a variety of wildlife. Drinking Water Protection Wetlands are natural water filters.