Audubon Florida applauds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) for finalizing its “Waters of the United States” rule. This is a long overdue effort to resolve confusion about which waterways are subject to federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.

“Florida has lost almost half of the state’s historic wetlands and with loss of wetlands, we have seen a great loss of birdlife,” said Eric Draper, Audubon Florida’s Executive Director. “Wood Storks and other wading birds need strong wetland protections to preserve their remaining habitat.”

Audubon 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.

“The 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, Audubon Southwest Florida Policy Associate. 

For more information, please click here to view a comment letter from Audubon Florida and Audubon of the Western Everglades.