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Corps officials were unclear how the narrow interpretation issued last week would be carried out in the field. Currently, people pursuing projects that may affect wetlands in Wisconsin apply for a wetland permit from the Corps but must receive a water quality certification from state officials for that permit to be valid. To receive such certification, applicants have to demonstrate to state officials that they tried to avoid harming wetlands with their project, and if that is not possible, must demonstrate that they have minimized the damage their project does to wetlands. Meyer urged people to call the Corps if they are considering a project that impacts a wetland - or had a project denied because it harmed wetlands. "Do not assume you can go ahead and fill," Meyer cautioned. "Until there is clear guidance from the Corps, we urge you to call the Corps and seek a decision from them on your specific project in writing." In many cases, developers can work with state water management specialists to find ways to complete their projects without harming wetlands, Meyer noted. In the past, such a process has allowed 86 percent of Wisconsin applicants to get the project they want with less harm to the environment. "In the overwhelming majority of cases, we can work with you to get the project you want yet protect wetlands," Meyer says. "These wetlands are invaluable - they provide critical habitat for plants, fish and wildlife, they protect water quality by filtering out polluted runoff, prevent flooding by storing water, provide recreation for boaters, hunters, canoeists, wildlife watchers and others, and they provide scenic beauty." Of Wisconsin's 370 species of birds, 39 percent live in or use wetlands. Many game species depend on wetlands, and fully one- third of the plants and animals on Wisconsin's state endangered and threatened list depend on wetlands, according to a 1995 report. 2