Army Corps to Stop Regulating Wetlands Nationwide

Agency cites 2023 Supreme Court ruling limiting Clean Water Act scope

Mar. 31, 2026 at 2:43pm

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A serene, painterly depiction of a wetland area with tall grasses and still water, reflecting the warm glow of the sun and creating a sense of tranquility and environmental importance.The Army Corps' decision to withdraw federal oversight of wetlands nationwide raises concerns about the future of these vital natural resources.Savannah Today

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced plans to stop regulating wetlands nationwide, citing a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that reduced the scope of the Clean Water Act. The agency's principal deputy assistant secretary for Civil Works said the Corps is "getting out of the business of regulating wetlands."

Why it matters

This move by the Army Corps represents a significant shift in federal oversight of wetlands, which play a crucial role in flood control, water filtration, and wildlife habitats. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling that narrowed the definition of "waters of the U.S." under the Clean Water Act, limiting federal jurisdiction.

The details

According to an agency spokesman, the Army Corps will no longer issue dredge-and-fill permits for projects that could pollute federally-regulated waters, as it has been required to do under the Clean Water Act. The announcement was made by Lee Forsgren, the Corps' principal deputy assistant secretary for Civil Works, during a meeting of the Environmental Council of the States in Savannah, Georgia.

  • The Army Corps announcement was made on March 31, 2026.
  • The Supreme Court ruling that prompted this change was issued in 2023.

The players

Lee Forsgren

Principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works, who announced the Army Corps' plans to stop regulating wetlands nationwide.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The federal agency responsible for issuing dredge-and-fill permits for projects that could pollute waters of the U.S. under the Clean Water Act.

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What they’re saying

“We are getting out of the business of regulating wetlands.”

— Lee Forsgren, Principal deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Civil Works

What’s next

The Army Corps' decision to stop regulating wetlands nationwide will likely face legal challenges from environmental groups and states concerned about the impact on water quality and wildlife habitats.

The takeaway

This move by the Army Corps represents a significant rollback of federal oversight of wetlands, which could have far-reaching consequences for the environment and communities that rely on these natural resources. It underscores the ongoing debate over the scope of the Clean Water Act and the balance between environmental protection and economic development.