wetland

is land area(s) covered with water or saturated with water at least part of the year and identified as such by state governments or the federal government.

These marsh or swamp-like areas are believed to provide refuge for wildlife (feeding migratory birds and other animals); help prevent flooding; and help to filter pollutants out of our ground water system. Governments have acted to protect these areas (and the life forms they sustain) from development.

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