A state lawmaker says part of Illinois’ environment – wetlands – are in jeopardy.

To State Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin), a Supreme Court decision draws a bright line to what has to be done.

“In Sackett v. U.S. E.P.A.,the Clean Water Act has been severely weakened,” Moeller told a statehouse news conference, “and our wetlands stand very vulnerable to destruction and abuse.

“Before the ruling, landowners and developers were required to get a permit under the Clean Water Act if they were to dredge or fill in protected waters, including wetlands.”

Moeller says clean drinking water and flood protection hang in the balance.

Underscoring the threat is Paul Botts, president and executive director of the Wetlands Initiative.

“For Illinois,” said Botts, “the biggest value is practical, on-the-ground, right now, which is helping us adapt to the weirder and weirder weather that we already have – and that our children and grandchildren are going to have – no matter what does or doesn’t happen with carbon in the atmosphere.”