US President Donald Trump’s decision to fast-track a number of fossil fuel projects could cause significant damage to the US’s wetlands and waterways, green campaigners have warned.
During his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order – “Declaring a National Energy Emergency” – that required the US Army Corps of Engineers to “facilitate the nation’s energy supply”, including permitting under the Clean Water Act the filling of wetlands and dredging or building in waterways.
In a press briefing, the White House said the decision was needed to meet the rising domestic energy demand, strengthen economic security and prop up the American energy industry.
But according to the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), more than 600 applications earmarked to be fast-tracked risk destroying wetlands or impacting waterways.
“Wetlands play critical roles as filters of water pollution, buffers against coastal flooding, absorbers of carbon dioxide and cradles of life for fish and bird populations...