Located in the Central Valley of the most populous state in the nation, the Grassland Wetlands encompass approximately 160,000 acres within the Pacific Flyway... an ancient migratory "highway" stretching some 10,000 miles from Alaska to South America. Due in large part to the approximately 200 private hunting clubs in the area, this 25 by 30 mile expanse has survived massive water diversions, urban encroachment and agricultural development. Today, the Grassland Wetlands remain California's largest and most majestic wetland ecosystem. Nearly 110,000 acres of these precious, historic wetlands are privately-owned. The remaining 50,000 acres are managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the California Department of Fish and Game. This unique area has maintained incredible diversity, offering permanent and seasonal wetlands, riparian corridors and native grasslands. More than 550 species of birds, animals and plants, including 47 species that are federally-listed as sensitive, threatened or endangered have been identified in the Grassland Wetlands. The Grassland Wetlands winter up to 2 million of the Pacific Flyway's waterfowl and have been designated as one of only 22 international shorebird reserves in the world.

Only 5 percent of California's Historic 4 Million acres of Central Valley wetlands exist today. More than one third of these remaining wetlands are found in the Grassland Wetlands of Merced County. Although many people are aware of the wildlife value of the area, the economic values of our local wetlands is often underestimated.

Estimated total value of wetlands in California for recreational purposes such as hunting, fishing, bird watching, hiking and photography is $160 million annually.

• The Grassland Wetlands produce $11.5 million each year for the local economy and hundreds of jobs.

• Over 250,000 people visit the Grassland Wetlands each year, spending thousands of dollars locally on food, lodging and outdoor recreation.

• California's wetlands provide society with nearly $10 billion in values annually in the form of groundwater recharge, flood control, and water purification.

Threats to Wetlands

America's wetlands and their farmland neighbors face an uncertain future. Nearly 4 million acres of wetlands have been lost in California alone, translating to a loss of 95 percent of the State's historic wetland acreage.

According to the American Farmland Trust, the farmland which surrounds our wetlands is being lost at a rate of 4 acres per minute...rapidly being converted to shopping malls, parking lots and a raft of other residential and commercial development. As the land goes, so also go the waterfowl, cranes, sandpipers, egrets, herons and rails. Unfortunately, the stable and long-term dividends paid by our wetlands and farmlands are being replaced with short term speculative development which often costs communities more than it can ever give back.

Wildlife Viewing along Public Roads Click Map to Enlarge

Today, the Grassland Wetlands are endangered by urban expansion, toxic drainage, fragmentation, an ever-threatened water supply and encroachment onto surrounding property.

It is critical that cities and Merced County develop in ways that do not harm wetlands and sensitive wildlife. Urban growth must be directed away from wetland areas and the important farmland which adjoins them. Wise planning, which incorporates measures to buffer the Grassland Wetlands from incompatible land uses such as residential housing and commercial development, is key to ensuring the perpetuation of this irreplaceable and economically important resource for future generations.

In 1992, the Central Valley Project Improvement Act restored historic water supplies to Central Valley refuges and the Grassland Wetlands. Although this legislation has already resulted in enormous improvements to California's wetlands and wildlife, maintaining this precious water supply among competing

Wetlands Need Hunters for Survival

A national survey by the U.S. Department of the Interior reveals that hunters spend $12.3 billion each year fortravel, licenses, duck stamps and excise taxes on firearms, ammunition and equipment to finance wildlife research and management. These funds are also used to purchase and protect wildlife habitat that benefits a wide variety of game, non- game and plant life on a year-round basis. In California, expenditures by hunters are far greater than those provided for wildlife by the non-hunting public. In 1994, the state Department of Fish and Game received more than $11 million in revenue for wildlife management from hunters, compared to just $41,629 collected from non- hunters through the California Wildlife Campaign and only $532,000 donated through state Income tax returns for Rare and Endangered Species Preservation. Unfortunately, the degradation and reduction of wetland habitat within California over the past 100 years has resulted in a steady decline in revenues generated from hunters. This trend will likely continue unless the public becomes educated in the role of the hunting community in preserving our wetlands and wildlife resources for all to enjoy.