Brevard County uses the same definitions as those used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) and St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). The definitions use soil types, hydrological requirements, and vegetation types to determine the extent and type of wetland.

In naturally occurring ponds where there are frogs, minnows, and dragonflies there is no need to put a larvicide in the water since these animals are natural predators of mosquitoes and keep the mosquito population low.

Bioenergy crops will not be planted in wetlands in the U.S. However, they do have the potential to be planted as buffer strips along waterways and streams to intercept nutrient runoff from agricultural crops, thus helping to protect water quality. They would also contribute to decreasing sediment transport from agricultural lands.

They can be under certain circumstances, this is described in detail in the Fact Sheets on "Mosquito Production and Management - Saline Wetlands, Freshwater and Constructed Wetlands, and Irrigation Wetlands". (BACK)

The only accurate way to find out whether or not wetlands exist on your property is to have a wetland evaluation (delineation) performed on site by the State or a qualified consultant who has verified it with the State. However, much information can be determined by examining various resource maps including the Brevard County Soil Survey, aerial photography, habitat overlays, and the Department of the Interior’s National Wetland Inventory.

The project is still in the planning phase during which time the project partners will develop a restoration design and schedule. Depending on the design, implementation may begin as early as 2006.

Wetlands are the most productive ecosystems on earth. They are areas saturated by surface or groundwater that support hydric, or water-loving, vegetation. They filter and remove harmful pollutants and contaminants from water, which makes cleaner water in lakes and rivers. Wetlands moderate flooding, prevent soil erosion, and recharge groundwater. They also provide local wildlife with shelter, food and breeding grounds.

Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, or call the Region 1 Wetland Coordinator at (503) 231-2070.

In 1994, the Hamilton Airfield Base was officially closed under the Base Realignment and Closure Act, often known as BRAC. As part of the base closure process and under federal environmental law, [Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or CERCLA] the U.S. Army is responsible for the remediation (cleanup) of their former base to protect human health and the environment and restore it to natural conditions.

Wetlands are protected mainly because they can improve and protect the quality of our surface and ground water, and provide habitat for many wildlife and plant species that cannot flourish in other Island County environments. Wetlands can also control flooding.

Any fence proposed within a wetland or 25 feet from a wetland or watercourse requires approval from the Westport Conservation Department and possibly the Westport Conservation Commission.

The presence of a wetland on your property may not prohibit construction on the property but may restrict it. The first step is to determine if there is enough upland area on your property (or non-wetland area) to construct your project. In order to determine if your property meets the minimum requirements, you should contact the Natural Resources Management Office, (321) 633-2016.

Ans. As a further elaboration to the above question, the Ramsar definition of wetlands also considers; ponds, water storage areas, seasonal flooding agricultural lands as well as marine, riverine and estuarine, all of these could be termed as wetlands. Not only this but costal zones with low tides is also covered under this definition.