Congress must strengthen the Clean Water Act and restore wetlands protection and Waters of the USA
Izaak Walton League of America statement for the September 11 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing on Waters of the USA
Rather than holding a hearing about post-Sackett perspectives, Congress should be working restore Clean Water Act protections to all wetlands and tributary streams, which the vast majority of the American public supports.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v EPA gutted clean water protections that benefited wetlands for decades under the Clean Water Act. The decision put nearly 63 percent of the nation’s wetlands—almost 60 million acres—in danger of being degraded or destroyed. The decision dramatically weakens the benefits of wetlands, which help to purify drinking water, mitigate flooding, sequester carbon and provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife.
Even before the disastrous the Sackett decision, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service documented significant loss of vegetated wetlands in the decade from 2009 to 2019. With some protections in place, more than 670,000 acres of ecologically vital wetlands were still lost during that period.
Now Sackett threatens to turbocharge wetlands losses even further.
Since 1922, the Izaak Walton League has fought for clean air and water, healthy habitat and conservation of our natural resources for future generations. Today, the League plays a unique role in supporting local community-based science and conservation and shaping national policy. www.iwla.org.
Contact: Michael Reinemer, mreinemer@iwla.org, 301-548-0150 ext 220
Your kit will include a bottle containing 25 nitrate test strips which you can use to test your water source(s) throughout the year. You’ll also receive postcards explaining how to use your nitrate test strips and how to share your Nitrate Watch results on the Clean Water Hub.
Your kit will include four test strips so you can test your waterway throughout the season. You’ll also receive a chart to help you interpret your results and a postcard with instructions for completing a Salt Watch test and reporting your findings.