There are approximately 1,337 acres of tidal wetlands in Stafford County. The tidal wetlands serve as spawning and nursery grounds for a variety of fish and crabs. Thirty percent of rare and endangered species at some point in their life cycle depend on tidal wetlands. Tidal wetlands also remove sediments and impurities from the water, diminish flood waters, and protect the shoreline from erosion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides additional information on the value of wetlands.