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Up to 96% of Ohio’s wetlands-over 265,000 acres and 50,000 miles of streams-could lose federal protection under a proposed rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It’s a move sparking debate over how much say the federal government should have in safeguarding the state’s vital waterways.
The proposed changes would narrow the definition of “Waters of the United States,” impacting which wetlands and streams fall under the Clean water Act.
- The EPA’s proposal follows a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that limited federal authority over wetlands.
- critics argue the rule weakens environmental protections and increases pollution risks.
- Ohio already has state-level wetland regulations, but these may not fully compensate for lost federal oversight.
- Public comments on the proposal are being accepted until Jan. 5.
The EPA’s proposed rule would protect only wetlands with a direct surface water connection to continuously flowing or standing bodies of water, according to Angela Blatt, senior agriculture policy manager at the Alliance for the Great lakes. “This leaves many critical wetlands and streams vulnerable to pollution and destruction from industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and growth,” Blatt said. The
