In bringing actions against parties violating of the Clean Water Act, EPA wetlands officials hope to deter future filling. These laws protect wildlife and help prevent flooding in surrounding areas. The EPA takes seriously any violation of this federal law that works to preserve the limited amount of salt water marsh left in New England. Before it was filled, much of Salisbury's coast was made up of salt water marshes. The land filled by Champagne supported salt hay grass, spike grass and silver weed.
Salt marsh is important for preventing floods and protecting the food chain.
In Salisbury, buildings and roads that have displaced wetlands have intensified flooding. The town has already had problems with flooding on Cable Avenue, where Champagne was preparing to build. The site filled by Champagne is adjacent to a stream that drains into Black Rock Creek and ultimately into the Atlantic Ocean. In particular, Champagne acted quickly to remove most of the fill after the EPA issued an order on May 13 requiring removal and restoration. Although not all the fill could be removed, the salt marsh has continued to recover and the environmental harm will be limited.