This report, authored by Thomas E. Dahl of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, documents the historical loss of wetlands in the United States from the 1780s to the 1980s. It is the first of two reports to Congress on the status of wetland resources in the U.S., with the second report expected to update the information based on new data from the 1970s to 1980s. The report compiles existing data from various sources to estimate wetland acreage and loss. In the 1780s, the U.S. had an estimated 392 million acres of wetlands, with 221 million in the lower 48 states and 170 million in Alaska. Over 200 years, the lower 48 states lost about 53% of their original wetlands, while Alaska lost less than 1%, and Hawaii lost about 12%. On average, the lower 48 states lost over 60 acres of wetlands every hour between the 1780s and 1980s. The report highlights that 22 states have lost 50% or more of their original wetlands, with California losing the most (91%) and Florida losing the most acreage (9.3 million acres). Alaska has the largest wetland area, with an estimated 170 million acres. The report also notes that the remaining wetlands in the lower 48 states constitute only 5% of the land surface, while including Alaska and Hawaii, it is 12%. The report emphasizes the importance of wetlands for environmental and economic reasons, and the need to balance economic, social, and environmental goals. It also notes that despite efforts to restore wetlands, the rate of loss has not been matched. The data is based on various sources, including historical records, land use data, and soil surveys, and is used to estimate original wetland acreage and current losses. The report concludes that continued loss of wetlands threatens environmental and socio-economic benefits, including groundwater supply, water quality, shoreline erosion, floodwater storage, and climate change mitigation.This report, authored by Thomas E. Dahl of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, documents the historical loss of wetlands in the United States from the 1780s to the 1980s. It is the first of two reports to Congress on the status of wetland resources in the U.S., with the second report expected to update the information based on new data from the 1970s to 1980s. The report compiles existing data from various sources to estimate wetland acreage and loss. In the 1780s, the U.S. had an estimated 392 million acres of wetlands, with 221 million in the lower 48 states and 170 million in Alaska. Over 200 years, the lower 48 states lost about 53% of their original wetlands, while Alaska lost less than 1%, and Hawaii lost about 12%. On average, the lower 48 states lost over 60 acres of wetlands every hour between the 1780s and 1980s. The report highlights that 22 states have lost 50% or more of their original wetlands, with California losing the most (91%) and Florida losing the most acreage (9.3 million acres). Alaska has the largest wetland area, with an estimated 170 million acres. The report also notes that the remaining wetlands in the lower 48 states constitute only 5% of the land surface, while including Alaska and Hawaii, it is 12%. The report emphasizes the importance of wetlands for environmental and economic reasons, and the need to balance economic, social, and environmental goals. It also notes that despite efforts to restore wetlands, the rate of loss has not been matched. The data is based on various sources, including historical records, land use data, and soil surveys, and is used to estimate original wetland acreage and current losses. The report concludes that continued loss of wetlands threatens environmental and socio-economic benefits, including groundwater supply, water quality, shoreline erosion, floodwater storage, and climate change mitigation.