From his side of the fence, a wetland is pure aggravation slowing up his farming operation and taking up valuable land. To make matters worse, if he understands the legalities, he knows he can't do much to change the situation. Many Texans, however, are unaware of what classifies as a wetland, why it's important, and what kind of trouble they can get into trying to change it. I know that swamp in Louisiana is a wetland, but that low spot in my back forty couldn't be. Sure it's wet sometimes, but it'll go five or six years without so much as a puddle.
Most people agree on clearcut examples, but marginal cases are subject to debate.
After a wetland has been defined, it is classified. Several methods of classification have been developed over the years for scientific purposes and legal procedures. These classification systems have changed over the years to reflect the changing issues and interest in wetlands. In 1954, the FWS conducted a national wetlands inventory. The FWS used a system of 20 classes to describe wetlands.