From the Nature Conservancy:

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today (May 25th) to limit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to protect critical wetlands and the health of U.S. waterways. The ruling in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency directs the agency to use a restrictive standard for what kinds of waterways it can protect under the Clean Water Act against harmful uses like pollution discharge.

The decision will make it harder for the United States to meet the goal of the Clean Water Act, “to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters.” The ruling comes just months after the agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers restored federal protections for critical wetlands and small streams under the Waters of the United States rule.

The following is a statement by Jimmy Hague, Senior Water Policy Advisor at The Nature Conservancy:

“Today’s ruling (May 25th) is a major setback for the nation’s wetlands, rivers, streams, and lakes – all of which are vital for maintaining healthy habitats, flood control, clean, safe drinking water, and recreational opportunities.

“It has the potential to significantly diminish the EPA’s ability to protect millions of acres of waterways under the Clean Water Act. While the effects of the ruling aren’t certain, we know it’s likely to result in lost recreation opportunities, increased water treatment needs, greater disaster recovery expenses, and vulnerable and disadvantaged communities bearing the brunt of the decision.

“The Clean Water Act is one of the nation’s most fundamental environmental laws, passed over a half-century ago with the goal of restoring the health of the nation’s waters. With climate change and biodiversity loss threatening our future, we must redouble our efforts at the local, state, Tribal, and federal levels to protect the waters and wetlands that help meet the many needs of our communities, economy, and nation. Unfortunately, today’s ruling (May 25th) makes the act’s goal harder to achieve.”