Union of Concerned Scientists pushes for wetland protections in farm bill [View all]

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Nebraska Examiner

By: Cami Koons - December 9, 2024 5:00 am

A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists found wetlands in the Upper Midwest region, including Nebraska, are “in peril” due to recent legal challenges and a lack of state-level regulation. The report looks to a new farm bill as a vessel to protect wetlands.

The report, authored by Stacy Woods, the research director for the Food & Environment program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said industrial agriculture has inflicted “devastating damage” on wetlands across the country and that Iowa has more than 640,000 acres of wetland.

These wetlands, along with those in states across the Upper Midwest region, act as “natural barriers” to flooding. The report found this flood protection equates to nearly $23 billion in annual residential flood protection. Iowa’s wetlands alone could mitigate $477 million worth of flood damage to residential areas.

For Nebraska, the report found that 1.2 million acres of wetlands are at risk, which could cost over $951 million in annual flood mitigation benefits. The organization noted that Nebraska doesn’t have wetlands protection.


A new report from Union of Concerned Scientists pushes for wetland protections in a new farm bill. (Courtesy of USDA)


Read more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/09/union-of-concerned-scientists-pushes-for-wetland-protections-in-farm-bill/