Virginia maintains strong wetlands protections despite federal rollbacks

Virginia’s State Water Control Board rejected a petition to weaken wetlands protections, maintaining the state’s strong regulatory stance despite federal rollbacks.

Sarah Vogelsong reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

• The State Water Control Board denied a petition by David Schnare to reduce state wetlands protections, following the Supreme Court’s weakening of federal regulations.
• Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality emphasized that the Supreme Court decision does not affect state laws or the scientific definition of wetlands.
• The decision highlights Virginia’s bipartisan support for wetlands conservation, crucial for water quality, carbon storage, and flood prevention.

Key quote:

“Think of wetlands as a big universe. Federally, only a portion of that universe is regulated by the federal government. But what scientifically is a wetland is still the same.”

— Mike Rolband, DEQ Director

Why this matters:

Wetlands are vital for maintaining water quality, reducing flood risks, and storing carbon. Virginia’s stance ensures continued protection of these ecosystems, which face threats from regulatory changes and development pressures.