It is always necessary to minimize flooding from storm waters and protect the coastland from devastating storm surges and help clean pollutants from runoff, and "wetlands in our bays perform all these important functions and more for free. One study suggests wetlands provide nearly $7,000 per acre of services each year" (Harvey, 2005) However, estuaries are quite fragile and are still subject to the ravages of national disasters. "As highlighted in news coverage of Hurricane Katrina, large areas of coastal wetlands have been lost, but those that remain help absorb the brunt of incoming storms, dampening storm energy before storms reach homes" (Harvey, 2005) That is why the EPA's Coastal Watershed Protection Strategy "specifically targets technical assistance...

The plan "was developed to address enhanced protection of public health from threats posed by the destruction of estuaries by natural and human means" ("Estuaries and Your Costal Wetland," 2006, EPA).
Works Cited

Estuaries and Your Costal Wetland." (2006). Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA).

Oceans: Fact Sheet. Retrieved 27 Jan 2007 at http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/factsheets/fact5.html

Harvey, Tom. (3 Oct 2005). "In Storm's Wake, Estuary Day Shows Value of Wetlands."

Press Release: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved 27 Jan 2007 at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20051003a