| Last week, the White House announced finalization of rollbacks to the Clean Water Rule. The newly published rule removes Clean Water Act protections for many rivers, streams, and wetlands—particularly in the Southwest—which could allow them to be altered, degraded or filled without first seeking a federal permit. A large number of streams and wetlands that only flow or are wet for part of the year are now exempt from Clean Water Act protections. Some 138 species and subspecies of birds in the U.S. are designated as “wetland dependent” and many more are threatened by the new rule. Read more. |
