The U.S. EPA is proposing changes to the Clean Water Act that could reduce protections for over 265,000 acres of wetlands and 50,000 miles of streams in Ohio. Angela Blatt from the Great Lakes Alliance expressed concern that the new rules would only protect wetlands with direct contact to surface water, leaving many vulnerable to pollution from industries and agriculture. This proposal follows the Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA decision, which already weakened wetland protections nationwide.
The proposed changes could lead to up to 96% of Ohio’s wetlands losing federal protections, based on a study by the NRDC. John Devine from NRDC noted that this rule goes beyond the Supreme Court’s requirements. Some wetlands near the Cuyahoga River and Tinkers Creek would lose funding for pollution control, threatening local ecosystems.
Erica Matheny from Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners emphasized the importance of wetlands in filtering pollutants and expressed concern over the potential impacts on the Cuyahoga River if protections are lifted. Public comments on the proposal can be submitted until January 5th.
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