HR0547LRB103 35795 MST 65879 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
 
 
 
HR0547- 2 -LRB103 35795 MST 65879 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 February 2, 2024 as "World 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.