A landmark wetlands case that the U.S. Supreme Court will hear
Feb. 21 could have huge implications for the continued efforts
to restore western Lake Erie, Great Lakes advocates said. At
stake is not only valuable habitat for waterfowl and other
wildlife - but also some important acreage that helps with flood
control and with preventing runoff pollution from entering
rivers, lakes, and streams. Ohio historically ranks second to
California for wetlands destruction. Ottawa County has many of
the most valuable wetlands that remain in Ohio. Leading the
fight to preserve them is Mark Shieldcastle and Steve Barry of
the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Mr. Shieldcastle is
chief of the agency's Crane Creek Wildlife Research Station at
Magee Marsh in Ottawa County. "The bottom line is, we're in bad
shape as it is. This [Supreme Court case] is going to have a
major ramification for the status quo. You could say we have no
way to win if we lose this case," Mr. Shieldcastle said. The
court will decide two land-use