Trump administration to strip protections for wetlands and streams, leaving Illinois habitat at risk

US Administration to Dismantle Federal Protections for Vital Wetlands and Streams, Leaving Illinois at Risk

The Trump administration is pushing forward with plans to strip vital protections from millions of acres of wetlands and streams across the United States, leaving some areas in Illinois vulnerable to destruction. The proposed changes to federal guidance on "waters of the United States" aim to limit protection for seasonal streams and wetlands, which do not have a permanent water connection.

Under the current regulations, developers need a permit from the Army Corps of Engineers before destroying wetlands to ensure environmentally responsible practices. However, with this new proposal, that permit requirement will be eliminated, allowing developers to act with minimal oversight.

Environmentalists and scientists warn that such a move could lead to widespread destruction of these critical ecosystems. Wetlands are crucial for filtering drinking water, preventing flooding, and providing habitats for countless species. They also play a vital role in mitigating climate change by storing carbon dioxide and helping to prevent flooding.

Illinois alone has seen its wetland area dwindle from more than 8 million acres to just over 7 million after agriculture and development took their toll. The state's lawmakers have tried to introduce legislation to protect these vital ecosystems, but so far, none have succeeded.

The new regulations are expected to have a devastating impact on Illinois' environment. A recent study found that about 72% of the state's wetlands do not meet the criteria for protection under the Clean Water Act, meaning they will lose their federal protections. The study estimates that this could increase to around 90%.

Environmental groups and experts urge stakeholders to submit comments during the proposed change's 45-day comment period, which ends on January 5. However, with the clock ticking, it remains uncertain whether these vital protections will be preserved.

The proposal reflects a Supreme Court decision in 2023 that limited federal protection for wetlands. States like Colorado have since taken steps to safeguard their ecosystems, but Illinois and other states are now at risk of losing this crucial support.

As the EPA opens its comment period, environmentalists and scientists warn that time is running out to preserve these vital wetlands.

This is so not good for the US environment! I mean, I get it, development and progress are important, but can't we find a way to balance that with taking care of our planet? Wetlands are like superheroes for our ecosystem - they help filter water, prevent flooding, and provide homes for all sorts of creatures. And let's not forget about climate change - wetlands are a big part of mitigating that.

It's crazy that some states have stepped up to protect their wetlands while others, like Illinois, are being left behind. I mean, we've already lost over 1 million acres of wetlands in Illinois - that's like, a huge chunk of our state! And now it looks like those remaining ones might lose protection too.

I'm really worried about the impact this will have on Illinois' environment and all the species that call those places home. We need to act fast and make sure these wetlands are protected for future generations. I hope everyone who cares about the environment is speaking out during this comment period - 45 days isn't a lot of time, but every voice counts!

Man... can't believe what's going down . It's like we're playing with fire here. These wetlands are not just pretty faces in nature, they're lifeblood for our planet. We need 'em to keep the air clean and water fresh. And yet, it feels like we're on the verge of sacrificing them all for the sake of progress .

I mean, think about it... what's the value of a wetland? Is it just a bunch of mud and plants, or is it something more? It's not just about the ecosystem; it's about our own survival. We need these wetlands to survive, period .

It's like we're trying to live life on autopilot, assuming that everything will work out in the end. But what if it doesn't? What if our actions today hurt us tomorrow? It's a big question, and one that I don't think we're taking seriously enough .

We need to slow down, take a deep breath, and think about the consequences of our actions. Do we really want to strip away these vital ecosystems without thinking twice? The clock is ticking, but I'm not sure we're making progress fast enough .

This is so messed up ! I mean, we're already losing so much wildlife and ecosystem due to climate change and human neglect, and now they wanna strip away even more protections from our waterways? It's like, we can't just keep destroying the planet without any consequences. Wetlands are literally the lungs of our planet - they filter water, prevent flooding, and support entire ecosystems.

And what really gets me is that Illinois has already lost 1 million acres of wetlands . That's a huge chunk of land, especially when you consider how vital those areas are for our environment. If we don't step in now, it'll be too late. We need to make some noise and demand action from our lawmakers - they can't just sit back and let this happen.

I'm so frustrated that states like Colorado have taken steps to protect their wetlands, while Illinois is being left behind . It's time for us to take a stand and fight for the future of our planet. We need more awareness about this issue and more action from our elected officials. Every single voice matters in this fight!

I'm like totally freaking out over this news ! The US admin is about to take away all federal protection for those super important wetlands and streams in Illinois... it's a huge deal . I mean, come on, don't they know how critical these places are for our water supply, flood control, and wildlife habitats? Like, can you even imagine what will happen when they get destroyed? It's not just about the environment, it's also about preserving biodiversity and carbon sequestration... this is like a huge mistake .

And it's not like Illinois hasn't tried to protect its wetlands already, there have been laws introduced but none of them have passed yet... what's going on here? It's just too much pressure on the state to take care of their environment without any help from the feds. I'm all for states taking control of their own ecosystems but not at the expense of federal protection .

We need to get our voices heard on this ASAP, let's make some noise and tell the EPA that we won't stand for this ! 45 days can't be enough time to come up with a plan, I'm counting down the minutes until the comment period ends... fingers crossed .

omg I'm literally freaking out over this news Illinois is already struggling with less wetland area and now they're gonna take away even more protections?! It's like, we need to act fast and make sure our voices are heard! The wetlands are not just pretty pictures in nature documentaries, they're also crucial for keeping our air and water clean And what really gets me is that the EPA is opening up a comment period but I'm not even sure if it'll make a difference at this point We need to flood their inbox with comments ASAP!

gotta say, dis new rule from the US Admins is a huge concern for me! Illinois has already lost so much of its natural beauty with all the deforestation & development going on here. And now they're talkin' about strippin' away protections for our wetlands & streams? That's like, totally backward thinking if you ask me . I mean, we know how important these ecosystems are for filterin' water, preventin' floods, and supportin' all sorts of wildlife . And let's not forget about the climate change aspect - these wetlands are like our planet's lungs or somethin'! So yeah, I'm super worried that if we don't speak up now, we'll be losin' some major pieces of our ecosystem forever . We gotta make sure to voice our concerns during this comment period & advocate for our wetlands!

man this is crazy news , i feel bad for illinois especially with their water situation already being a mess , can't we just protect our planet for future gen's ? those wetlands are like lungs of earth they need our help , i'm all about living simple but this is taking it too far

I'm really worried about what's happening with our wetlands in IL . Like, I know we've had some issues with development and agriculture taking over, but stripping away all those protections just doesn't seem right. Wetlands are literally the lungs of our planet, you know? They help keep us safe from floods and provide habitats for so many species.

I'm also thinking about how this affects drinking water quality – I mean, we don't want some random developer coming in and messing up our water sources, do we? And let's not forget about climate change... it's not like these ecosystems aren't already struggling.

I feel like we need to take action now. Like, the EPA is open for comments, so we should be submitting those ASAP. I just hope we can find a way to preserve our wetlands before it's too late .

man this is crazy... i mean who wants to just let people destroy our planet's natural resources? i know some ppl might say it's all about economic growth and development, but come on we need our wetlands to survive the climate crisis too! they're like the lungs of the earth or something. illinois is already losing its wetland area at an alarming rate what if this proposal goes through? our water supply will be messed up and stuff won't even be able to filter out pollution... it's not just about aesthetics, ppl we need these ecosystems to stay alive