Wetland Action Plans

A Wetlands Action Plan (WAP) is a guide for the planning and implementation of projects and activities essential to the understanding, conservation, protection, restoration and management of wetlands in a planning area. Wetlands Action Plans can be designed to focus on wetlands in a specific watershed, region, or can be designed to target a wetland type though out New Mexico. A Wetlands Action Plan can also be an addition to a Watershed-based Plan so that all surface water resources are considered within the watershed. For further information about Wetland Action Plans contact Maryann McGraw, Wetlands Program Coordinator at maryann.mcgraw@env.nm.gov.

Wetlands Action Plans focus on:

Identifying all wetland resources within a given planning area;
Describing natural conditions that affect the resource;
Identifying anthropogenic stressors that affect wetlands in the planning area;
Establishing wetlands baseline conditions and locating reference sites;
Identifying data gaps;
Prioritizing sites with potential for restoration and protection;
Developing of measures to reduce chronic and cumulative impacts to wetlands;
Strategizing financing options;
Identifying strategies and outreach to engage stakeholders and the community;
Monitoring to measure success of implemented projects and to adaptively manage others;
Clarifying goals and recommendations for future wetland protection, restoration, and management with an emphasis on restoring and preserving ecological condition, wetland functions, and preserving wildlife, wildlife corridors, refugia and habitat.

A Wetlands Action Plan emphasizes protection and restoration of wetlands for the ecological functions and societal benefits that wetlands provide. A Wetlands Action Plan can address societal needs such as cultural preservation uses, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling and water quality, as well as ecological benefits such as biotic integrity, preserving wildlife corridors, and conserving habitats of threatened and endangered species, migratory birds, and other species of concern. A Wetlands Action Plan assists watershed groups to incorporate wetlands issues into their mission and promotes stewardship of wetlands through cooperative approaches involving agencies, local governments, tribes, private/nonprofit organizations, and the public. It is also expected to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of wetlands protection and management programs in government and the private sector.