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In the News: Rhode Island Current March 21, 2024

As feds stand down, states choose between wetlands protections or rollbacks

Julian Gonzalez, Senior Legislative Counsel, Policy & Legislation: “It’s unfortunate that the state legislature tried to lock in the damage done by Sackett, but there are still things that can be done in places where a governor is more interested in environmental protection than polluter profits.”

In the News: The Denver Post January 28, 2024

After the Supreme Court gutted federal protections for half of Colorado’s waters, can state leaders fill the gap?

Stu Gillespie, Attorney, Rocky Mountain Office: “Clean water is one of those things we take for granted, and you don’t really notice until you don’t have it.”

Canoeing the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota. (Brad Zweerink / Earthjustice)
Press Release August 29, 2023

SCOTUS Ruling Spurs EPA to Reduce Protection for U.S. Waterways

More than half the country’s wetlands, along with streams and even lakes, could be left vulnerable to pollution

document August 22, 2023

Updated WOTUS Rule (Aug 2023)

Updated Waters of the United States Rule (WOTUS), released by the Environmental Protection Agency in response to the Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

(Sammy Lee / Earthjustice)
feature June 21, 2023

Wetlands Most in Danger After the U.S. Supreme Court’s Sackett v. EPA Ruling

See where wetlands are most at risk and where wetlands have the strongest protections from the law

document June 13, 2023

Na Kia‘i Kai and Surfrider Foundation v County of Kauai Order

Plaintiffs Na Kia‘i Kai and Surfrider Foundation move for summary judgment against Defendants County of Kaua‘i and Director of the Department of Health Elizabeth Char on Plaintiffs’ claim that Defendants violated the Clean Water Act by discharging polluted water from the Kikiaola Harbor Drain into waters of the United States without a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. The Court finds that Plaintiffs are entitled to summary judgment with respect to their claim.

Millions of Americans rely on the Clean Water Rule to protect their drinking water sources.
(Ren Photo / Getty Images)
Article June 8, 2023

The Supreme Court Has Severely Weakened Clean Water Protections. Here’s How We’ll Fight Back.

The court’s Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency decision puts more than half of the nation’s wetlands at risk. But we still have legal tools to fight back.

In the News: Strict Scrutiny May 29, 2023

A Wrecking Ball to Environmental Law

Sam Sankar, Senior VP of Programs at Earthjustice, explains the Supreme Court’s opinion in Sackett v. EPA. Millions of acres of wetlands risk losing federal environmental protections, threatening the future of the nation’s clean water.

The wetlands affected by Sackett include those that supply the drinking water for millions of people in the United States. (Getty Images)
Article May 26, 2023

What Does Sackett v. EPA Mean for Clean Water?

A lawyer analyzes the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Pelicans flying home to roost over salt marsh at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina near Beaufort. (Teresa Kopec / Getty Images)
Press Release May 25, 2023

Corte Suprema Debilita Protecciones de La Ley De Agua Limpia

Con la eliminación de protecciones para más de la mitad de 118 millones de acres de humedales, generaciones enfrentarán repercusiones negativas a raíz del fallo del supremo

A few hundred supporters of clean water rallied outside the Supreme Court on Oct. 3, 2022, as the court heard oral arguments in Sackett v. EPA.
(Melissa Lyttle for Earthjustice)
Update May 25, 2023

Supreme Court Catastrophically Undermines Clean Water Protections

Sackett v. EPA threatens more than half of the 118 million acres of wetlands in the United States. Here’s what we can do now to fight for clean water.

Pelicans flying home to roost over salt marsh at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina near Beaufort. (Teresa Kopec / Getty Images)
Press Release May 25, 2023

Supreme Court Weakens Clean Water Act Protections

Generations will face repercussions of Court’s decision to eliminate protections for more than half of 118 million acres of wetlands

Pelicans flying home to roost over salt marsh at Hunting Island State Park in South Carolina near Beaufort. (Teresa Kopec / Getty Images)
Update April 18, 2023

New Ruling Weakens Protections for Waterways in Nearly Half of Nation’s States

A North Dakota judge blocked the Biden administration’s “Waters of the United States” rule in 24 states, putting our nation’s clean wetlands, rivers, streams, and drinking water jeopardy.

A marsh at sunset in Beaufort, South Carolina. (Teresa Kopec / Getty Images)
Press Release April 12, 2023

ND Judge Blocks Current Clean Water Protections in 24 States

Judge adopts unsupported claim by states intent on dismantling the Clean Water Act

document April 12, 2023

WOTUS Preliminary Injunction

A federal district court in North Dakota stayed the Environmental Protection Agency’s science-based rule revising the definition of “Waters of the United States.” The ruling halts current clean water safeguards and potentially strips protections from many types of wetlands, streams, and interstate waters in 24 states.

Press Release March 29, 2023

Senate Votes to Gut Clean Water Protections

“Protections for clean water are constantly under attack from polluting industries, and this will not be the last Republican attempt to significantly weaken the Clean Water Act during this Congress.”

Press Release March 20, 2023

Texas’ Challenge Halts Biden’s Rule to Protect “Waters of the United States”

Decision blocks common-sense rule in Texas and Idaho that protects nation’s wetlands

document March 19, 2023

WOTUS injunction decision in Texas/Idaho

WOTUS injunction decision in Texas/Idaho