Many of you might have read the Outdoor Life article as to why the proposal to redefine "The Waters of the United States" is so important. If you haven't, here is a link - https://www.outdoorlife.com/opinion/epa-rule-change-disastrous-for-fish-wildlife/
Summary being, the Administration is working to change the Definition of what waters are covered under the Clean Water Act. For decades, wetlands were covered under this definition. That process slowed the conversion of wetlands to agriculture and development, though still allowed enough variance that wetland losses have continue, just at a slower pace.
The effort to change these wetlands protections is being done under the campaign of Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, an Executive Order signed by POTUS. As is normally the case when industry pushes for change, it is not rational common sense changes that get proposed, rather a complete shift to the opposite end of the spectrum.
I'm all about getting rid of extraneous regulations, but when we are talking about water, a vital resource that moves and flows, a resource where entire communities can be impacted when water flows through a property, I'm not on board with fewer protections.
We have already lost the majority of wetlands in this country. I hope hunters are interested in conserving what we have left.
If you take the time to comment, the Corps of Engineers is taking comments at this link until January 5th - https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/COE_FRDOC_0001-1000
Summary being, the Administration is working to change the Definition of what waters are covered under the Clean Water Act. For decades, wetlands were covered under this definition. That process slowed the conversion of wetlands to agriculture and development, though still allowed enough variance that wetland losses have continue, just at a slower pace.
The effort to change these wetlands protections is being done under the campaign of Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation, an Executive Order signed by POTUS. As is normally the case when industry pushes for change, it is not rational common sense changes that get proposed, rather a complete shift to the opposite end of the spectrum.
I'm all about getting rid of extraneous regulations, but when we are talking about water, a vital resource that moves and flows, a resource where entire communities can be impacted when water flows through a property, I'm not on board with fewer protections.
We have already lost the majority of wetlands in this country. I hope hunters are interested in conserving what we have left.
If you take the time to comment, the Corps of Engineers is taking comments at this link until January 5th - https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/COE_FRDOC_0001-1000
