Sackett Ruling Leaves Wetlands Unprotected, State Officials Warn

Most inland wetlands are likely unprotected in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s decision in Sackett v. EPA, but the scope remains unclear more than a year after the decision, researchers and state officials said at a scientific conference.

“We’re not really sure what the actual concrete impact is,” said Adam Gold, a manager of climate resilient coasts and watersheds for the Environmental Defense Fund, speaking Thursday at the National Association of Wetland Managers conference near Shepherdstown, W.Va.

Gold said EDF research shows that the majority of non-tidal wetlands nationwide are likely unprotected under the Clean Water Act, ...