AB 215 also maintains exemptions for fill of isolated wetlands allowed under federal law prior to a recent Supreme Court decision. WMC supports the development of a comprehensive, net gain wetland policy. Existing regulatory schemes hamper opportunities to create new wetlands and are inefficient and burdensome. Wetlands are valuable resources for both our environment and the economy, and WMC is committed to working with the Legislature to make the correct policy decisions. However, the debate on these issues deserves time and consensus.
Legislation drafted in haste often creates bad public policy.
Such is the case with SB 37 and SB 54, wetlands legislation passed by the Senate in the first 6 weeks of the legislative session. Such a moratorium also gives the Legislature the time needed to debate the more comprehensive wetlands policy changes which are clearly needed. We look forward to working with them and others in the Legislature on broader wetlands policy questions in the coming months. Thank you for consideration of these comments.