Supreme Court weakens Clean Water Act and limits EPA's power.

The US Supreme Court has limited the power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate wetlands and waterways under the Clean Water Act. The court ruled in favour of Michael and Chantell Sackett, who were stopped from building their dream home after failing to obtain a permit for disturbing wetlands on their land. The court's conservative majority narrowed the scope of the act, stating that the EPA's authority only extends to streams, oceans, rivers, lakes and wetlands with a "continuous surface connection to those bodies". Environmental groups and former EPA chiefs have criticised the decision, which they say will have significant repercussions for water quality and flood control throughout the US.