---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 3921"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "3921"
heading: "National wetlands priority conservation plan"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/3921"
units:
  - "Chapter 59 — Wetlands Resources"
  - "Subchapter III — State and Federal Wetlands Acquisition"
---

# §3921. National wetlands priority conservation plan

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall establish, and periodically review and revise, a national [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5) priority conservation plan which shall specify, on a region-by-region basis or other basis considered appropriate by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), the types of [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5) and interests in [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5) which should be given priority with respect to Federal and [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) [acquisition](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1).
- (b) **Consultation—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall establish the plan required by [subsection (a)](#a) after consultation with—
  - (1) the [Administrator](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=a) of the Environmental Protection Agency;
  - (2) the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Commerce;
  - (3) the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture; and
  - (4) (the chief executive officer of) each [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a).
- (c) **Factors to be considered—** The [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), in establishing the plan required by [subsection (a)](#a), shall consider—
  - (1) the estimated proportion remaining of the respective types of [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5) which existed at the time of European settlement;
  - (2) the estimated current rate of loss and the threat of future losses of the respective types of [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5); and
  - (3) the contributions of the respective types of [wetlands](/usc/16/3902.md?p=5) to—
    - (A) wildlife, including endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, and resident species;
    - (B) commercial and sport fisheries;
    - (C) surface and ground water quality and quantity, and flood control;
    - (D) outdoor recreation; and
    - (E) other [areas](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) or concerns the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) considers appropriate.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 99–645, title III, § 301, Nov. 10, 1986, 100 Stat. 3586.)