When a Retired Scientist Suggested Virginia Weakened Wetlands Protections, the State Said, No Way

Woods Rogers Principal John Byrum was quoted in Inside Climate News from his previously published blog post discussing the Virginia State Water Control Law. More than a year ago, the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed the range of wetlands the federal government can protect, but Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality last month turned down a petition with similarly limited regulations. This decision is the latest indication that Virginia intends to stay firm on its historical protection of wetlands.

Inside Climate News reported: “Others reached the same conclusion even before DEQ. In a June 2023 post, John K. Byrum, Jr., an attorney at law firm Woods Rogers, contended that in states like Virginia, ‘which regulate isolated wetlands under state law, Sackett will have little – if any – impact on permitting of wetlands impacts.”

Read Inside Climate News’ coverage here and John’s blog post here.