Nebraska’s wetlands are more than just a rural backdrop. They serve communities as a line of defense against flood damage.
But with the 2023 ruling in Sackett v. EPA that changed the Clean Water Act, many of these wetlands have lost their federal protection.
Union of Concerned Scientist researcher Dr. Stacy Woods conducted a study that shows the benefits of wetlands as flood mitigation.
“Our research found that the 30 million acres of wetland in the Upper Midwest help prevent nearly $23 billion in flood damage to homes and communities,” Woods said.
According to the study, wetlands provide a natural barrier for flooding and act like a sponge for flood waters.
But with changes to the Clean Water Act last year, industrial industries like agriculture have been given the green light to destroy these lands. Many wetlands are drained or become polluted by the run-off pesticides and fertilizer. The growing destruction of wetlands is causing future harm to many communities at risk for floods.
“I think since industrial agriculture is the leading cause of wetland destruction and wetlands are these natural flooding barriers," Woods said. "I think it's critically important that people understand the connection between flooding and flooding risk and the Farm Bill."
The federal farm bill is a start to help the conservation of these wetlands as it aims to protect and restore them.
“The Farm Bill is the major piece of agricultural legislation in the United States, and it's currently moving through the legislative process," Woods said. "This farm bill includes really important conservation programs that can help protect and restore wetlands."
Woods hopes that communities will see the overall protection given to us by wetlands and work toward land conservation.