Construction Cautious About Wetlands Plan.

Looking to boost his environmental profile in an election year, U.S. President George W. Bush used Earth Day festivities to announce a new wetlands goal of moving beyond the earlier policy of "no net loss" to increase total wetland acreage over five years. Bush is looking to conservation incentives to create, improve and protect at least 3 million more wetland acres. But reaction was lukewarm from contractors, who generally need a permit under the Clean Water Act for projects near wetlands. The National Home Builders Association doesn't expect the policy shift to change anything for its sector of the industry.