TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Six million acres of Florida's wetlands could be in danger after the Trump administration proposed new changes to what's protected by the federal government.
More of Florida's surface is covered by wetlands than any other state and by not protecting them, we put our coast at risk to things such as red tide. Wetlands filter and clean up this toxic algae bloom, while acting as a home for a range of wildlife and vegetation.
Changes to the Clean Water Act would limit the kinds of waterways the government protects. That means millions of acres in Florida would no longer be safe.
The Environmental Protection Agency said the change aims to "provide states and landowners the certainty they need to manage their natural resources and grow local economies."
The proposal comes after home builders, developers and farmers requested simpler rules surrounding wetland regulations.
"While many of these are smaller wetlands, collectively they add up. They make a big difference to our water quality, to our flood attenuation abilities and to our habitat values," said Exucutive Director, Julie Wraithmell. "Florida's economy is our environment and if we're not taking care of it we are facing challenges economically in the future."
Wetlands have been protected since 1972 because they filter pollution, soak up floods before they cause damage and recharge the aquifer's drinking water supply.
The new rule would only protect wetlands immediately next to a major body of water. Nationwide, that would disqualify 51 percent.
This proposed change stands in opposition to the definition put forward by the Obama administration in 2015. That aimed to widen federal protection to include not only large waterways, but also the smaller streams and tributaries that feed into them.
