"As we pave over wetlands, there's less area to clean the water," Ms. Cooney said.

A built boardwalk brings you over wetlands and provides beautiful scenery.

The city itself was built on a riverine terrace but expanded later over adjacent wetlands.

The Palm Island Park downtown has a 1,700-foot boardwalk over wetlands.

Supreme Court decisions made in 2001 and 2006 relating to the bill have limited the law's jurisdiction over isolated wetlands, streams, and other waters.

They hear everything from bankruptcy cases to international child-custody disputes, from race discrimination claims to environmental battles over wetlands.

Although new places to live are a necessity, construction does not have to pave over additional wetlands and other critical resource areas.

The beach can be reached across a long, nostalgic wooden bridge that crosses over wetlands and bird sanctuaries.

Yet, disputes over road access and wetlands delayed government approvals.

But his and the state's authority over wetlands under 12.4 acres is very shaky.