Royal Gardner delivers an easy read on the complex world of US wetland mitigation in Lawyers, Swamps and Money: U.S. Wetland, Law, Policy and Politics. I’ll admit it, I let this book sit on the end table for a while, expecting a mind-numbing read. But if a normal law book is like eating your brussels sprouts, this book is guacamole funny. Mr. Gardner has a light tone and peppers the book with humorous illustrations and anecdotes, while sneaking in nutritious law and policy.
This is a great book for anyone interested in the U.S. system of wetland mitigation (/banking), providing background on the law that underpins it as well as recent developments. The book also laid out the ‘odd bedfellows’ situation of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ and Environmental Protection Agency’s joint power over wetland regulations that had me head-scratching for years. And no wonder–it truly is a confusing relationship. If you’re a legal nerd, you’ll enjoy the detailed story of court decisions that have altered the bounds of regulations over the years. The book ends with a series of excellent recommendations for clearing the waters of regulation and implementation. Take note, regulator s- you have been served up a platter of free advice from one of the top wetland lawyers in the nation.
So in short, you should buy this book if you are: a U.S. wetland regulator, policy-maker, lawyer, banker, in-lieu fee provider, researcher, or consultant. It would also benefit international researchers and policy-makers interested in a compliance-driven environmental market that brings ~$2 billion and over 20,000 acres annually into wetland restoration and conservation.
Madsen Environmental 