Wetlands at Risk: How a Court Ruling Impacts Illinois

New Rules Make Wetland Protection Harder

A recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA has altered the rules for protecting wetlands under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The new ruling requires wetlands to be directly connected to larger bodies of water to qualify for federal protection.

Impact on Illinois

This change has significant consequences, particularly in states like Illinois, where many wetlands may no longer receive federal protection. These wetlands play a crucial role in flood control, and their loss could put communities at risk.

Study Reveals Major Losses

Researchers analyzed different scenarios and found that up to 72% of Illinois' wetlands might no longer be protected under the new rules. This is concerning because wetlands act as a natural defense against flooding and other climate-related disasters.

Local Rules Can Help

The study also highlighted that county-level regulations can provide some protection where federal laws fall short. However, in areas without strong local rules, the loss of federal protection could lead to increased flooding risks for people and property.

Climate Change and Wetland Resilience

With climate change worsening flooding, wetlands are more important than ever. Protecting all wetlands—even those that are not always wet or far from larger water bodies—is essential for building community resilience against climate impacts.