The Mississippi Coastal Wetlands Protection Law prioritizes preservation of coastal wetlands except when alteration serves which purpose?

The Mississippi Coastal Wetlands Protection Law emphasizes the importance of preserving coastal wetlands due to their ecological, economic, and cultural significance. However, it allows for certain alterations when they serve a higher public interest. This means that if a proposed alteration to the wetlands is justified by a compelling public need—such as in instances of significant public infrastructure projects, environmental restoration efforts, or critical public utilities—the law can permit such actions despite the general intent to protect these valuable ecosystems.

In this context, "higher public interest" denotes obligations or necessities that go beyond individual or commercial gain and reflect a broader benefit to society. For instance, improving flood control or ensuring clean water for public consumption can be seen as serving a higher public interest, warranting a modification of coastal wetlands under regulated conditions.

This framework effectively balances the protection of vital ecosystems with the need to accommodate legitimate societal demands, highlighting the law's flexibility in addressing circumstances that require careful consideration of both environmental and social factors.