Florida Appeals Federal Ruling to Reclaim Control of Wetlands Permitting Program from Army Corps of Engineers

Florida is in a legal bid to reclaim oversight of the state’s wetlands permitting program, arguing against a February ruling by a federal judge that returned wetlands permitting authority to the Army Corps of Engineers. The state has asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to stay the decision from Judge Randolph Moss pending its appeal. This decision reverses a Trump-era decision that initially granted Florida power over its wetlands program. Florida argues that Florida’s program streamers the permit process and protects Florida’s waters and species through extensive federal oversight and a technical-assistance process.