ICYMI: EPA could drastically scale back wetlands protections

This is a big one: As we noted last week, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is set to dramatically scale back protections for wetlands; in the future the Clean Water Act may cover only relatively permanent, standing or continuously flowing bodies such as streams, oceans, rivers and lakes, along with wetlands that are directly connected to such bodies of water.

From the NY Times: "The beneficiaries could be real estate developers eager to build on shorelines, farmers with fields that run along waterways and manufacturers who make petrochemicals in vast factories set on tidal marshes."

Yeah, sounds great. If you like pollution.

But wait! Some Congressmen and women are saying this will be good, because now the lines will be clearer and power will be given back to the states which is good, because "Florida knows Florida best."

What we know about Florida, via years of experience, is that Florida's Legislature is continually working to make it easier for developers to develop. This, now, will be seen as a golden opportunity to weaken Florida's wetland regulations ("Hey, if the feds aren't going to regulate it, why should we?").

Bad news for wetlands; bad news for Florida; and bad news for anyone who cares about protecting our waterways and all they benefit.

Looking ahead: Impact Report coming up for Giving Tuesday

It's been a big year for VoteWater, thanks to you! And on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 2, we'll publish our annual Impact Report, detailing where we made a difference in 2025, and looking ahead to the pivotal midterm election year of 2026. None of what we've accomplished would have been possible without your support — so please consider giving to VoteWater for Giving Tuesday.

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