Wetlands Conservation in the United States after Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency: Patchwork Protection of a Valued Resource.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Wetlands Conservation in the United States after Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency: Patchwork Protection of a Valued Resource.
Authors:	Steinhoff, Gordon¹ gordon.steinhoff@usu.edu
Source:	Electronic Green Journal. 2025, Issue 52, p1-24. 24p.
Subject Terms:	Wetlands, Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental policy, State regulation, Nature conservation, Environmental protection, Habitats, Clean Water Act of 1972
Geographic Terms:	United States
Company/Entity:	United States. Environmental Protection Agency , United States. Supreme Court
Abstract:	In Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (Sackett v. EPA, 2023), the Supreme Court declared that many of the country's remaining wetlands are not "waters of the United States," which excludes them from protection under the federal Clean Water Act. Yet the excluded wetlands are critical for improved water quality, flood control, wildlife habitat, and other valuable functions. The Court's decision left their protection to the individual states. Since Sackett, wetlands conservation in the United States has become a patchwork affair. Many states' wetlands, without federal protection, are at risk from agriculture and development; further loss is unsustainable. This article argues that wetlands must be protected at the federal level through a revised Clean Water Act, which will be difficult to achieve. Fortunately, there are other ways to protect wetlands without federal support, and citizens have a few options to get involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	In Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency (Sackett v. EPA, 2023), the Supreme Court declared that many of the country's remaining wetlands are not "waters of the United States," which excludes them from protection under the federal Clean Water Act. Yet the excluded wetlands are critical for improved water quality, flood control, wildlife habitat, and other valuable functions. The Court's decision left their protection to the individual states. Since Sackett, wetlands conservation in the United States has become a patchwork affair. Many states' wetlands, without federal protection, are at risk from agriculture and development; further loss is unsustainable. This article argues that wetlands must be protected at the federal level through a revised Clean Water Act, which will be difficult to achieve. Fortunately, there are other ways to protect wetlands without federal support, and citizens have a few options to get involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10767975
DOI:	10.5070/G3.41964