The federal government has taken the primary role in protecting the nation's wetlands, with the centerpiece of these efforts the Clean Water Act's Section 404 permitting program. Wetlands Law and Policy: Understanding Section 404, Second Edition is a comprehensive guide to this important yet controversial regulatory program. The chapters in this current analysis of the federal government's role in protecting the nation's wetlands are written by experienced lawyers in the area of federal wetlands regulation, and from all professional viewpoints -- industry, government, conservation groups, and academia. This thorough and current guide to wetlands regulation is especially useful for practitioners as competing viewpoints on the legislation are exacerbated by the lack of a clear statutory mandate and the resulting reliance on regulatory and judicial interpretations. Concentrating on the Clean Water Act's Section 404 permitting program, Wetlands Law and Policy covers the scientific, social, and legal implications of Section 404. It includes chapters detailing the ecology issues of wetlands, the role of the states in implementing Section 404, takings issues, EPA veto, enforcement and judicial review, and agricultural programs.