One year ago this week, the Supreme Court weakened the Clean Water Act and removed protections for no less than 118 million acres of wetlands, or 60% of the wetlands the country has left.
Experts agree: The court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA unraveled 50 years of advancements in safeguarding our waters. It exposes critical wildlife habitats to destruction by mining, oil and gas operations, industrial agriculture, and irresponsible land use.
But as we reflect on the damage of this case, it’s important to also reflect on the ongoing efforts (and wins) we see in multiple states to restore protections for our wetlands and waters.
Because when the conservative supermajority in the Supreme Court rejected established science and greatly limited the definition of protected wetlands, advocates nationwide sprang into action. They’re working to correct this state by state and resist…
Read the full article originally published at earthjustice.org.