S. 1463, introduced by Senator John Breaux (D-LA) to gut Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, would endanger millions of acres of wetlands nationwide. Wetlands provide essential fish and wildlife habitat and improve water quality. Nationwide, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service estimates that over 290,000 acres of wetlands are lost each year, at a rate of more than 30 acres per hour. It is critical that Congress work to strengthen Section 404 and resist any attempts to weaken current wetland protection.

To reflect that priority, the League has included co-sponsorship of S. 1463 as an anti-environment position. When Congress adjourned for the year on November 27 there were 24 cosponsors of S. 1463.