Contact

Message

Dear [Decision Maker],

Florida has more wetlands than any other state in the continental United States, and is home to the largest wetland ecosystem in the lower 48 states: the Greater Everglades. Yet our wetlands are under constant attack from growth and development. New roads, mines, and developments threaten not only wildlife, but our own interests. Wetlands are foundational to human health, water quality, drinking water resources, floodwater protection, and resilience against storms.

We ask that you oppose Section 469 of the 2026 FY26 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, which would "codify" Florida's flawed and illegal program into law. In February 2024, a court found that Florida's state assumed Clean Water Act 404 wetland permitting scheme was improper and vacated the program.

Congress should reject this effort to ignore a judicial ruling. Florida's program was found to be in violation of the Endangered Species Act. Let the court do its job; await the appellate court's ruling, which is forthcoming.

Further, if Florida fixes the inherent problems with its permitting program, it can reapply to reassume the program properly and with public participation. There is no reason to push through such a brazen runaround of the courts as this proposed language does.

In April, the Everglades Coalition, a group of over 60 organizations and over 12.2 million supporters all committed to the future of the Greater Everglades ecosystem, signed a resolution opposing any federal legislation to restore the unlawful Florida Clean Water Act Section 404 wetland permitting program.

Please oppose Section 469. Thank you for protecting Florida's wetlands.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]