In the mid-1970s, the National Wetlands Inventory program was established to inventory the nation''s wetlands and report on their status. The program produces wetland maps and periodically updates these maps and accompanying digital data. The program also evaluates and reports on changes in wetland status (wetland trends) to inform the American public on how wetlands are changing in response to natural processes (e.g., sea level rise, fire, and mudslides) and to human development (e.g., agriculture, urban and suburban development, impoundment, dredging, channelization and ditching).
        Continuing to meet the current needs of wetland and watershed resource managers for wetland and related aquatic resource data, the National Wetlands Inventory program in the Northeast Region is producing information on potential wetland restoration sites, stream corridors, wetland buffer zones and overall extent of natural habitat for selected areas. A regional wetland coordinator manages the program for the region with assistance from other Service staff, the University of Massachusetts and various federal, state and local partners.

Northeast Region National Wetlands Inventory Status of Wetland Mapping