[tsubaki]

The wetlands hysteria is amazing, what it all boils down to is MONEY!!
Here wetlands were encroached upon by the state and federal government, in defense they created more wetlands (I believe a multiple of per acre). One location lost a 60 year old lake of approximately one square mile to recreate a wetland in that location, in the other location, an island was reduced to below sea level in order to make up for marshland.
No further consideration after that, I guess the lake and island were not considered important enough to be preserved, compared to the wetlands.
At one time it was to be considered a "wetland" if water stood for more than 3 months. With that definition 1/2 of the population of Georgia would have to move, it has since been redefined.