Protect Our Waterways: Reversing Sackett Decision for Conservation Funding

The 2023 Supreme Court decision, Sackett v. EPA, has left approximately half of the nation's wetlands and up to four million miles of streams without federal safeguards, endangering the drinking water supply for up to four million people. Particularly, New Mexico's rivers are at risk, with 96% of the state's streams now vulnerable to pollution. This decision also has potential downstream impacts on other states in the Southwest. Given the urgency of this issue, it is crucial to reinstate protections for all waterways, regardless of their flow patterns. This includes reversing the Sackett decision and ensuring permanent funding for conservation programs. The health of our communities and the integrity of our ecosystems depend on it.