HR0442LRB103 34701 LAW 64546 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, Wetlands, including marshes, swamps, and bogs,
3play a critical role in reducing flooding, recharging
4groundwater supplies, and filtering pollutants and nutrients;
5and
 
6    WHEREAS, Illinois contains hundreds of ecologically
7significant wetlands that provide habitat for a rich array of
8wildlife, including endangered species, and that are critical
9for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds due to their location
10within the Mississippi Flyway; and
 
11    WHEREAS, Since 1972, the Clean Water Act has played an
12essential role in protecting aquatic environments from
13pollution and maintaining their role in providing drinking
14water, recreation, and wildlife habitats; and
 
15    WHEREAS, In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court dramatically
16weakened the Clean Water Act in its ruling in the Sackett v.
17Environmental Protection Agency case; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Sackett concluded that the Clean Water Act does
19not protect wetlands that do not have a continuous surface
20connection to a federally protected body of water; and
 

 

 

HR0442- 2 -LRB103 34701 LAW 64546 r

1    WHEREAS, Illinois has lost 90% of its original wetlands;
2and
 
3    WHEREAS, Illinois has a goal of reducing phosphorus and
4nitrogen levels by 30% by 2035; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Illinois landowners are taking proactive steps to
6protect and install wetlands and buffer habitats; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois has a responsibility to
8protect its remaining wetlands and reduce pollution;
9therefore, be it
 
10    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
11HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
12we declare November 8, 2023 as Illinois Wetlands Day in the
13State of Illinois; and be it further
 
14    RESOLVED, That we urge state agencies, local governments,
15and other organizations to work together to preserve and
16protect wetlands.