Wetland

Michigan Environmental Agency Targets 24 Individuals for Wetland Violations, Sparking Legal Controversy

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LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s environmental agency has referred 24 individuals for prosecution to the office of Attorney General Dana Nessel due to violations related to wetland management over the past three years. This data comes from a document obtained through a public records request, highlighting the agency’s growing enforcement efforts. According to Holly Gokee, executive secretary within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, these referrals include six cases from 2023, 13 from 2024, and five so far in 2025. Michigan boasts approximately 6.5 million acres of wetlands, which play a critical role in … Read more

Iowa Wetland Conservation Clash: Legal Battle Heats Up Over Swampbuster and Farmer Rights

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Wetlands across the United States serve crucial ecological functions, from providing habitat to numerous endangered species to cleansing waters flowing from agricultural fields. These environments trap harmful nitrates and phosphorus, thus safeguarding water quality. In Iowa, such wetlands are integral to the state’s strategies aimed at reducing nutrient pollution that contributes to the expansive dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. Amidst this backdrop, the contentious legal battle surrounding the “swampbuster” provisions has captured significant attention. These regulations, which link federal agricultural support to adherence to certain conservation practices, are now being challenged in court. … Read more