A converted wetland is one that has been drained, dredged, filled, leveled, or otherwise altered for the production of an agricultural commodity.
[1] The definition is part of The Highly Erodible Land Conservation and Wetland Conservation Compliance provisions[2] (Swampbuster) introduced in the 1985 Farm Bill (also known as The Food Security Act of 1985).
The provisions aim to reduce soil loss on erosion-prone lands and to protect wetlands for the multiple benefits they provide.
[2] Under the swampbuster program, converted wetlands are wetlands that were drained or altered to improve agricultural production after December 23, 1985, the date swampbuster was enacted.
[clarification needed] Approximately 48 US states have lost an estimated 53 percent of their original wetlands in the past 200 years.