The Clean Water Act Implementation after Sackett

What does the Sackett decision mean for the Clean Water Act, and the streams and wetlands that are no longer protected?  In LWV UMRR's November 6 educational event, we discussed the implications of the Sackett vs EPA decision that restricted implementation of the Clean Water Act.   

The video at the right, 1.12 hours long, includes detailed information on the history leading up to the Sackett decision , and where we go from here.

Our guest speaker was Rob Lee, staff attorney for Midwest Environmental Advocates (bio below).  Rob provided a brief history of the Clean Water Act (CWA) prior to 2015 regulations defining Water of the US (WOTUS), and the 2020 Navigable Water Protection Rule.  He followed this up discussing the May 2023 Supreme Court Ruling and the now revised regulations just issued by US EPA and the Corps of Engineers with a final revised definition of Waters of the US.  

Following Rob's remarks, LWV UMRR's Gretchen Sabel presented information on the status of wetland regulation in the UMRR states based on a 2022 analysis by the Environmental Law Institute, followed by a look at LWV positions that relate to actions supporting strong implementation of the CWA.   The program wrapped up with a discussion period led by  LWV UMRR Chair Mary Ellen Miller.  

Priest Lake in Idaho; photo NBC News

You'll find more information on the Sackett decision here and here on the LWV UMRR blog.  Here's a link to an excelllent blog article by Jared Mott of the Izaak Walton League that also provides background.  
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