A bill that would have eliminated the state’s law regulating wetlands was amended Wednesday morning to tackle the issue of wetlands regulation surgically, rather than with a “meat cleaver.”
The bill, which has been the subject of heated debate, initially proposed repealing the state’s environmental program protecting wetlands, which would have left more than 80% of the state’s wetlands unprotected. Authors claimed the program created unnecessary red tape and was costly for landowners.
Environmentalists and good government experts alike staunchly opposed the legislation, pointing out that wetlands play a crucial role in mitigating flooding and water quality. They also were concerned that bill authors have close ties to the building industry.
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