Missouri wetlands at risk after supreme court ruling

Monday, January 29, 2024

Eight months after the controversial Sackett v. EPA decision weakened federal wetland protections, Missouri faces a critical juncture in safeguarding its own water resources. While states retain jurisdiction over water pollution, navigating the new regulatory landscape is complex, and polluters are already attempting to exploit loopholes.

While Missouri's Clean Water Commission remains empowered to protect wetlands, a recent push by polluters to curtail its authority highlights the ongoing threat. Environmental groups successfully countered this attempt, but further legislative attacks might occur in 2024. To combat this, public support for strong wetland protections is crucial. Contact your state legislators and urge them to prioritize clean water for Missouri.

However, simply maintaining existing authority isn't enough. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lacks crucial resources for effective wetland protection. They have no legal authority to require developers to mitigate wetland damage and lack dedicated permitting programs or water quality standards for these ecosystems.

Citizen reports form the backbone of current wetland violation monitoring, a system vulnerable to gaps and inconsistencies. To effectively protect Missouri's remaining 13% of wetlands, DNR needs legislative support. Advocating for increased funding and expanded authority – including mitigation powers and stronger enforcement capabilities – is vital.

The stakes are high. Wetlands provide diverse ecosystem services, filtering water, harboring wildlife, and protecting against floods. Losing them threatens not only environmental health but also Missouri's outdoor recreation industry and long-term water security.

Let's not allow corporations to exploit weakened legal safeguards. By acting as informed advocates and urging our legislators to empower DNR, we can secure a lasting future for Missouri's irreplaceable wetlands and the clean water they provide.

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