Supreme Court narrows Clean Water Act wetlands protection in Sackett

The Supreme Court rules in Sackett v. EPA on May 25, 2023, narrowing federal Clean Water Act protection for wetlands. Although the case is not framed as a race case, environmental justice advocates warn that weaker water protections can disproportionately harm communities of color and tribal communities already exposed to pollution.\n\nThe Court adopts a narrower test for waters of the United States, limiting federal jurisdiction over many wetlands. Agencies later revise regulations to follow the decision.\n\nThe event matters for systemic racism because environmental rules shape unequal exposure to pollution, flooding, and unsafe water in historically marginalized communities.