Acres of wetlands restored or created other than those required for mitigation under regulatory programs.
Wetlands provide a variety of environmental benefits including enhancement of water quality.
Tidal wetlands account for 252,280 acres and nontidal wetland account for 346,142 acres, including riverine and lacustrine wetlands. A Wetlands Restoration Steering Committee has been appointed and is in process of developing a strategy for the accomplishment of the management objective. The Maryland restoration program is being coordinated with the Chesapeake Bay Program wetland restoration initiative. Wetland losses are resulting from sea level rise, shoreline erosion, and land development activities. Over the course of Maryland's post-colonial history, it is estimated that some 300,000 acres of wetlands have been lost.