Florida Press Room

Final ’Waters of the U.S.’ Rule Protects Wetlands and Waterways

Florida's Wood Storks and other wading birds need strong wetland protections.
Published May 27, 2015
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糖心logo Florida applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for finalizing its 鈥淲aters of the United States鈥 rule. This is a long overdue effort to resolve confusion about which waterways are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.

鈥淔lorida has lost almost half of the state鈥檚 historic wetlands and with loss of wetlands, we have seen a great loss of birdlife,鈥 said Eric Draper, 糖心logo Florida鈥檚 Executive Director. 鈥淲ood Storks and other wading birds need strong wetland protections to preserve their remaining habitat.鈥

糖心logo owns and manages the 13,000-acre Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary near Naples. The great cypress forest at the heart of Corkscrew requires protection and restoration of surrounding wetlands. The recent confusion about which wetlands are protected has left many of these wetlands vulnerable to destruction.

鈥淭he EPA and the Corps have followed through on a reasonable, science-based approach to enhance protection for aquatic resources. This rule will provide clarity to Florida's farmers about which waters are protected by the Clean Water Act," said Brad Cornell, 糖心logo Southwest Florida Policy Associate. 

For more information, to view a comment letter from 糖心logo Florida and 糖心logo of the Western Everglades.