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Environment

US Supreme Court slashes protections for wetlands

Around half of all wetlands in the contiguous US will now lose their protections under the Clean Water Act, exposing them to pollution and development

By Corryn Wetzel

25 May 2023

Many US wetlands have now lost protections from the Clean Water Act

Many US wetlands have now lost protections from the Clean Water Act

Hanjo Hellmann/Alamy

The US Supreme Court ruled on Thursday to curb the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) authority to manage the nation’s water. Around half of all wetlands in the 48 contiguous US states will now lose their protections under the Clean Water Act, which has shielded many sensitive habitats for the last 50 years.

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