However, there are still many threats to our wetlands. For our wetlands, including the flood plains, must be identified, carefully monitored, and to be protected all permits must be reviewed by vigilant conservationists. If careful review is not given by local people there is no protection. But one person is not enough. There need to be many more conscientious observers.
Education is the first line of defense.
One example is the Wetlands Workshop that was held in August in the Eastern Panhandle. Many more of these workshops are needed. The second line of defense is caring people who will monitor what is happening to our waterfronts, flood plains, ponds and marshes in West Virginia. Recently, I had reason to speak for wetlands at a hearing on a proposed Morgan County highway that will impact 12 wetlands. As is often the case, when questioned about the fate of the wetlands that would be affected, the response by the highway officials was defensive.