Guest Commentary: EPA gives state full control of permitting for Florida wetlands
By HOLLY SCHWARTZ - | Jan 20, 2021
Thank you to the many members who participated with us in trying to maintain the integrity of the federal wetland dredge and fill permitting process. However, on Dec. 17, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted the state of Florida the sole authority to permit dredge and fill requests in Florida’s wetlands.
SCCF is very disappointed with this decision and extremely concerned that it will result in less oversight and protection of wetlands, which will directly impact water quality and wildlife habitat.
Prior to the decision, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. EPA, and all of the resources of the federal government, including U.S. Fish and Wildlife and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, had a hand in reviewing and approving permits that allowed dredge-and-fill material into wetlands or waterways. Now, the state of Florida with its