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SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to strip the protections from millions of acres of wetlands under the claim of providing “regulatory certainty.”
The proposed rule change would narrow the definition of “Waters of the United States,” a term of art that affords Clean Water Act protections to many of our most vulnerable wetlands.
Without these protections, many of our wetlands would become vulnerable to damaging pollution and rampant development.
Recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings and changes to regulatory oversight and enforcement at every level of government have contributed to a significant loss in wetlands throughout the nation. This loss has an outsized impact in our own community, as we rely on our wetlands for important water filtration, wildlife habitat and storm protection in the face of increasingly severe hurricanes.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Despite the importance of these ecosystems, more and more of the benefits are lost every year as wetlands are paved over in the name of development. The Conservancy of Southwest Florida’s recently released map shows a dramatic 31% loss of wetlands in Lee County from 1999-2023.
In addition to clean water and storm protection, our wetland habitats are the lifeblood of our economy, providing $3 billion in revenue and supporting one out of five jobs in Lee County alone. Wetlands deserve more protection, not less, and maintaining a scientifically sound definition of Waters of the United States is a key tool in protecting our natural resources.
Please join the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and submit your comments to the EPA by Jan. 5 — letting them know that by removing protections to our remaining wetlands, we put Lee County’s residents, wildlife and economy in harm’s way.
Act now by visiting https://sccf.quorum.us/campaign/150314/ to leave your comments opposing any changes to wetland protections.
Founded in 1967, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s mission is to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems. For more information, visit sccf.org.