Citing the need for “regulatory certainty”, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers are proposing to remove protections from millions of acres of wetlands.
Under this proposed rule, the definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS), a legal term that determines which wetlands receive safeguards under the Clean Water Act, would be narrowed significantly.
Wetlands are one of the most valuable ecosystems on the planet, since they protect and improve water quality, provide fish and wildlife habitats, store floodwaters, and maintain surface water flow during dry seasons. Only about 5–10% of the world’s land surface is currently wetland, but more than 70% is already destroyed or impaired. Florida has more wetlands than any other state in the continental United States. Yet these precious resources are at risk.
Wetlands continue to be vulnerable to development and pollution. Florida has already lost thousands of acres of wetlands, and this proposed rule change would make our wetlands even more vulnerable.
The Conservancy of Southwest Florida conducted an analysis of wetland loss in Collier and Lee Counties. What was found was staggering. In Collier County, 17% of unsecured wetlands were lost between 1999 and 2023, and in Lee County, during the same period of time, there was a 31% loss of wetlands. More information can be found here: conservancy.org/wetlands
Recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions, along with shifts in regulatory oversight and enforcement across all levels of government, have already accelerated wetland losses nationwide. This decline carries especially serious consequences for our community, which depends on wetlands to support our environment, economy, and quality of life.
The agencies are accepting comments until January 5, 2026. Please take action here to let them know that Southwest Florida cannot afford to weaken our wetland protection.