Biden Administration Sets Goal to Protect U.S. Rivers and Wetlands for Earth Week

The Biden administration has announced an ambitious new national goal and partnership to conserve and restore freshwater resources in the United States. Dubbed the 'America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge,' the initiative aims to protect, restore, and reconnect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams by 2030.

The administration is calling on states, Tribes, interstate organizations, cities, and local communities to advance their own policies and strategies for conserving and restoring America's freshwater systems. Over 100 inaugural members, including seven states, eight Tribes, and 24 local governments, have already signed on to support this freshwater restoration effort.

The new goal comes as part of the Biden administration's Earth Week announcements and builds upon previous commitments. The administration had previously weakened a rule regulating waterway pollution after a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that limited the regulatory reach of the Environmental Protection Agency. Much of the country's west has been plagued by drought for decades, driven by climate change, further highlighting the need for freshwater conservation.

Why this matters: Wetlands and freshwater resources continue to disappear at an alarming rate, with devastating effects on threatened and endangered species. The Biden administration's initiative aims to counter development pressures and recently weakened federal regulations under the Clean Water Act, working to build upon the country's policy of 'no net loss of wetlands.'

The America the Beautiful Freshwater Challenge recognizes that the nation's lakes, rivers, streams, estuaries, and wetlands are critical for the health, prosperity, and resilience of communities and hold cultural significance for many tribal nations. The Latino community, which accounts for 47.2% of agricultural field workers in the U.S., relies on access to pristine water from rivers and lakes for irrigation and crop cultivation.

"The Latino community, which accounts for 47.2% of agricultural field workers in the U.S., relies on access to pristine water from rivers and lakes for irrigation and crop cultivation, underscoring the significance of protecting water sources," noted the Hispanic Access Foundation, which is collaborating with the Biden-Harris Administration on this new national endeavor.

The administration's commitments to protect and restore rivers for ecosystem health and community benefits have been welcomed by conservation groups. American Whitewater has joined the partnership, recognizing the fundamental role of the nation's waterways and standing ready to further its work with the federal government to realize the benefits of healthy rivers.

Several states, including <a href="https://dnr.illinois.gov/

Key Takeaways

• Biden admin sets goal to protect 8M acres wetlands, 100K miles rivers by 2030
• 100+ members, incl. 7 states, 8 tribes, 24 local govts, join freshwater restoration effort
• Initiative aims to counter development pressures, weakened federal water regulations
• Latino community relies on pristine water for irrigation, crop cultivation
• Conservation groups welcome admin's commitments to protect, restore waterways