Figorian Wildlife Commission: The development of wetlands in industrialized nations for residential and commercial uses has endangered many species. To protect wildlife we must regulate such development in Figoria: future wetland development must be offset by the construction of replacement wetland habitats. Thus, development would cause no net reduction of wetlands and pose no threat to the species that inhabit them. Figorian Development Commission: Other nations have flagrantly developed wetlands at the expense of wildlife. We have conserved. Since Figorian wetland development might not affect wildlife and is necessary for growth, we should allow development. We have as much right to govern our own resources as countries that
have already put their natural resources to commercial use.

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument advanced by the Figorian Wildlife Commission depends?

A. More species have been endangered by the development of wetlands than have been endangered by any other type of development.
B. The species indigenous to natural wetland habitats will survive in specially constructed replacement wetlands.
C. In nations that are primarily agricultural, wetland development does not need to be regulated.
D. Figorian regulation of development has in the past protected and preserved wildlife.
E. The species that inhabit Figorian wetlands are among the most severely threatened of the designated endangered species.