INTRODUCTION: Wetland Values: Wetlands are valuable ecosystems which serve to interface land and water systems. Saturation of the soil and type of vegetation are major criteria which define wetlands (Cowardin, et al. 1979). These ecosystems support diverse plant and animal communities and the magnitude of primary productivity in wetlands is of global importance. In addition, wetlands provide sanctuary to many threatened and endangered species of plants and animals. Wetland ecosystems also have many valuable hydrologic functions. In palustrine forested wetlands, commonly called swamps, the inundation of the soil varies with the season and the amount of precipitation and runoff. One of the predominant values of wetlands is their capacity to serve as sites of water retention and flood control. They are also traps for suspended sediments and nutrients, thus improving the water quality downstream (Carter, et al.,1979). Because of their potential to improve water quality, wetlands have also been used as tertiary treatment for municipal wastewater discharge (Brinson and Westall, 1983; Richardson and Nichols, 1986), However, such uses are inappropriate if using the wetland as a site for sewage treatment will alter the valuable ecologic and hydrologic functions of the wetland.Master of Science in Public Healt
