Today the Supreme Court announced its decision in the landmark Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency, which concerns what types of wetlands are protected from developers and other polluters. The Court narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act by eliminating protections for wetlands, except in very limited circumstances.
Clean Water Action President and CEO Jeff Carter released this statement:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling is anti-science and anti-common sense and abandons long standing Clean Water Act protections that had been in place for decades. Protecting wetlands and other waters from pollution is critical to safeguarding the rivers and lakes that communities swim and fish in. This grossly misguided decision threatens our vital drinking water sources and prioritizes polluters’ interests over the health of people and ecosystems. Our work to protect clean water is far from over and we call on Congress and states to take swift action to ensure water bodies across the country are protected.”
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Since our founding during the campaign to pass the landmark Clean Water Act in 1972, Clean Water Action has worked to win strong health and environmental protections by bringing issue expertise, solution-oriented thinking and people power to the table. Our mission is to protect our environment, health, economic well-being and community quality of life. Clean Water Action organizes strong grassroots groups and coalitions, and campaigns to elect environmental candidates and to solve environmental and community problems. Learn more at www.cleanwater.org.