The most important part of a wetland is a healthy adjacent upland habitat.
Ever wonder what the difference is between a puddle and a wetland? Intact upland habitats not only protects wetland water quality, but provides critical habitat for wildlife, some of which rely on both wetlands and uplands for various parts of their lifecycle (e.g., salamanders of the genus Ambystoma such as tiger salamanders). Any effort to protect wetlands without the explicit consideration of surrounding uplands is doomed to failed.
Unfortunately, municipal boards and government agencies that fail to enforce wetland setback requirements are doing a great disservice to wetland health and sustainability. Next time you’re contemplating how to best protect wetlands, be sure to remember the importance of a surrounding upland; truly they’re inextricably linked.