DNR asking what wetlands are worth
What’s a wetland worth? The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is asking the state’s citizens to help them find out the answer to that question.
The department’s Water Resources Center is conducting an online survey to help state decision makers determine the value Missouri’s wetland resources. Survey results will help the agency develop economic tools to evaluate wetland compensation and costs the public is willing to pay for the replacement and creation of wetlands.
Many of Missouri’s historic wetland areas have been replaced with productive farms and developments in low-lying areas, often in floodplains. Those that remain are important Missouri water resources, serving as waterfowl habitat, storing floodwaters and cleansing our waterways.
Any Missouri citizen may participate in the wetland survey by visiting the department’s Web page at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/wrc/survey.htm. All information needed to complete the anonymous survey is provided online. Results of the survey will later be published by the department.
