No net loss policy in the United States

"No Net loss" is the United States government's overall policy goal regarding wetlands preservation. The goal is to balance wetland loss due to economic development with wetlands reclamation, mitigation, and restorations efforts, so the total acreage of wetlands in the country remains constant or increases.

To achieve this objective, the federal government uses environmental mitigation tools which legally protect wetlands, provide rules and regulations for citizens and corporations interacting with wetlands, and incentives preservation and conservation of wetland. For example, wetland mitigation banking, a system of market-based debits and credits where projects to restore and enhance the wetlands are carried out in advance of impacts, is used.

Land that is wet by surface water or groundwater for long periods of time so that animals and plants adapt to them for a part of their lifecycle are considered wetlands. This includes areas that are inundated with fresh or saline water. Lagoons, lakes, rivers, estuaries, swamps, coral reefs, and seagrass beds are examples of wetlands.

Wetland ecosystem services provide many public benefits, such as flood control, nutrient farming, habitat, water filtration, and recreational area. It is estimated that over half the acreage of wetlands in the United States has been lost within the last three centuries, causing great concern to local, state, and federal agencies as well as the public interest they serve. The world has lost over 87% of wetlands since the 1700s. [1]

Healthy wetlands provide services to local and regional communities such as nurseries for fisheries, tourism opportunities, grazing, and agriculture. Swamps and rivers provide a cultural focus for many regional communities.

At a larger level, No Net Loss will only be achieved if the incentives in the system are aligned. The project needs to be designed in a way that is deliverable in ways that make it tangible, measurable and meaningful for people and biodiversity. The government organizations need to set clear and well-enforced legislation to ensure developers are not undercut by compensation. Developers should have incentives and be educated on the topic. They should support positive biodiversity impacts and a biodiverse outcome. [2]

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