Among their many functions, inland wetlands provide habitat for a diversity of aquatic and wetland flora and fauna; filter sediments and pollutants from storm water runoff; provide storm water storage to help reduce flooding; and recharge groundwater.
Inland wetlands are typically a fragile ecosystem that can be easily damaged by the impacts of nearby development, causing the loss of many of their physical and biological functions and ultimately the species that inhabit them.
By regulating inland wetlands, development and other impacts on them can be mitigated or eliminated to ensure their continued functions.