Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

National

Gulf Coast Wetlands Being Destroyed, Critics Say

Along the rebuilding Gulf Coast, critics say there is too little thought given to preserving wetlands, as developers fill in the areas.

In response to criticism from environmentalists who say the Army Corps of Engineers isn't enforcing wetlands federal wetlands protection rules, the Corps is proposing that the rules be loosened.

Developers in Mississippi and elsewhere say they need the added flexibility to meet the housing crunch.

Advertisement

But environmentalists call the move shortsighted, citing the ability of wetlands to help slow and contain flooding during hurricanes.

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.