U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Affairs

Listing Wetlands of International Importance

A. Criteria
The text of the Convention (Article 2.2) states that:

"Wetlands should be selected for the List [of Wetlands of International Importance] on account of their international significance in terms of ecology, botany, zoology, limnology or hydrology" and indicates that "in the first instance, wetlands of international importance to waterfowl at any season should be included."

To facilitate the implementation of this provision, the Conference of the Parties has adopted the following four clusters of criteria for the identification of wetlands of international importance:

1. Criteria for representative or unique wetlands
A wetland should be considered internationally important if:

(a.) it is a particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural wetland, characteristic of the appropriate biogeographical region; or
(b.) it is a particularly good representative example of a natural or near-natural wetland, common to more than one biogeographical region; or
(c.) it is a particularly good representative example of a wetland which plays a substantial hydrological, biological or ecological role in the natural functioning of a major river basin or coastal system, especially where it is located in a transborder position; or
(d.) it is an example of a specific type of wetland, rare or unusual in the appropriate biogeographical region.

2. General criteria based on plants or animals
A wetland should be considered internationally important if:

(a.) it supports an appreciable assemblage of rare, vulnerable or endangered species or subspecies of plant or animal, or an appreciable number of individuals of any one or more of these species; or
(b.) it is of special value for maintaining the genetic and ecological diversity of a region because of the quality and peculiarities of its flora and fauna; or
(c.) it is of special value as the habitat of plants or animals at a critical stage of their biological cycle; or
(d.) it is of special value for one or more endemic plant or animal species or communities.

3. Criteria based on waterfowl
A wetland should be considered internationally important if:

(a.) it regularly supports 20,000 waterfowl; or
(b.) it regularly supports substantial numbers of individuals from particular groups of waterfowl, indicative of wetland values, productivity or diversity; or
(c.) where data on populations are available, it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterfowl.

4. Criteria based on fish
A wetland should be considered internationally important if:

(a.) it supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity; or
(b.) it is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetlands or elsewhere, depend.

Each cluster of criteria is supplemented by guidelines for its application. The guidelines can be obtained from the Ramsar Bureau or on the Ramsar Web site.

The Conference of the Parties has requested the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) to review the criteria again before the 1999 meeting of the Conference of the Parties, and to consider the incorporation of criteria based on the hydrological functions of wetlands and on cultural values and/or benefits derived from wetlands.

B. U.S. Listing Procedures.

Purpose The purpose of this notice is to establish U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service policy, guidelines and procedures for nominating sites to the List of Wetlands of International Importance. It provides supplemental guidance to the Convention for determining site eligibility.

II. Authority The authority for establishment of these guidelines flows from the the United States Senate ratification of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat, which is deemed to be self implementing.

III. Scope This policy is limited to evaluation of proposed sites for nomination to the List of Wetlands of International Importance. It is not intended for any other use.

IV. Policy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wetlands of International Importance The Service's commitment to wetlands conservation is addressed in a number of documents, most recently the National Wetlands Priority Conservation Plan. The Fish and Wildlife Service Policy and Guidelines on Wetlands of International Importance was developed to ensure compliance with the Protocol and articles of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat. In review sites eligible for inclusion to the List, it will be the policy of the Service to consider for nomination only those sites where:

1. The ownership rights are free from encumbrances or dispute and the lands are in public or private management that is conductive to the conservation of wetland:
2. Maintenance of the ecological and hydrological characteristics of the site(s) should be reasonable assured such that future actions would not result in delisting by the Conference of Parties; and
3. Proposed sites will only be considered if there is concurrence from both the State, Commonwealth or territory where the site(s) is (are) located and a Congressional Representative.

V. Description of Guidelines for Site Nomination In order to solicit appropriate nominations to the List of Wetlands of International Importance, the Service will publish an annual Action Notice in the Federal Register. The Action Notice will specify the time frame for submissions and where materials may be sent. Nominations can be made only by the appropriate administrative authority for a site. For the purpose of nominations can be made only by the appropriate administrative authority for a site. For the purpose of nominating sites, the appropriate administrative authority is defined as the party holding title to the land area. Nominations must have the endorsement/concurrence from both the State(s), Commonwealth or territory in which the site is located and a Congressional Representative. Supporting information for site nominations should include the following:

Nominating authority. Include name, address and other pertness information on the administrative authority submitting the site nomination.

Geographical location. Details such as latitude and longitude coordinates, and nearby features, settlements, and other identifying characteristics should be provided.

In addition, include detailed maps of both the site as well as the surrounding areas if they are available.

Site description. This section comprises both a physical and a biological description of the site. The physical description includes details of geomorphology, hydrology and climate, which the biological description includes a brief review of habitat types, with lists of both typical and noteworthy fauna and flora.

Criteria for inclusion. Specify the criterion (a) as listed by the Convention of Parties, that qualifies the site as a Wetland of International Importance. Highlight those factors for which the site has been generally considered to be of particular importance.

Area. Identify the total area (in hectares) of the proposed site including information on terrestrial and aquatic components.

Management practices. Note management practices and traditional activities that take place.

Changes in ecological character. Give a brief synopsis of the natural history of the area and note any land use changes impacts to the ecological functions or character of the area.

Degree of protection. Note any State, local, national or international recognition or designation afforded to the site. Indicate if any activities are controlled or prohibited.

Scientific research and facilities. Highlight research underway or facilities provided (if any) for research interests.

Reference material. Note any key publications, reports, or documents used to compile the information presented. This is not intended to be a complete reference list.

The Service coordinates review of proposed site(s) for inclusion to the list with the appropriate State, Federal and non-governmental organizations. It is not the intention of the Service to maintain a standing backlog of sites for nomination, but rather to solicit prospective sites from the Federal and State agencies, private organizations and the scientific community via the Action Notice procedures described above. Once reviewed, those nominations that adhere to the criteria and policies set forth above will be formally presented to the Convention Secretarial by the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Action taken by the Secretariat will be announced in the annual Action Notice described previously in section V. Management authorities for nominated sites will be forwarded information on actions taken by the Secretariat immediately.

Dated: April 6, 1990.

SOURCE: Federal Register Vol.55(71):13856-13857

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