Lawsuit Targets Industry-friendly Loopholes in Rule on Wetlands, Rivers
Ctr f/ Bio Diversity
Lawsuit Targets Industry-friendly Loopholes in Rule on Wetlands, Rivers
The Center and allies went to court this week to challenge last-minute exemptions given to industries in the new "waters of the United States" ruling that could open the door to more pollution of wetlands, streams and other waterways. The rule, finalized in May, defines which waterways can be protected from destruction, degradation and pollution without a permit under the Clean Water Act.
Among the late provisions in the rule, approved in May, is one that wetlands, ponds and other small water bodies can only be protected if they're within 4,000 feet of a stream or river. A foot beyond that? Even if a wetland is vitally important, it doesn't qualify for protection. That'll hurt frogs and birds that live in those wetlands and impair water quality downstream, harming endangered salmon, sturgeon and other freshwater species vulnerable to pollution.
"Freshwater species in the United States are already going extinct hundreds of times faster than terrestrial species, and these loopholes will make survival even harder for them," said the Center's Brett Hartl. "There's no question that eliminating protection for thousands of wetlands will hurt people and wildlife for generations to come."
Read more in our press release.
http://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2015/clean-water-act-07-22-2015.html
