South Dakota wetlands are under threat from the EPA’s rollback Travis Entenman

South Dakota’s wetlands aren’t just pretty places on a map; they’re our lifeline, filtering drinking water, keeping rivers clean, and soaking up floods before they reach our basements.

But here’s the deal: The EPA just finalized a rule proposal that slashes federal protections for these vital lands, especially those without a “continuous surface connection” to rivers and streams. This rollback isn’t theoretical. It’s real, and it’s happening right now. If we let these rules fade away, we’re risking more than a patch of grass. We’re putting our water, wildlife and future growth on the line.

Think about the last heavy rain that flooded our fields or sent muddy water racing through our streets. Without wetlands acting as nature’s sponge, those floods hit harder. This new EPA rule invite