On May 25th, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, reduced the power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate wetlands and waterways under the Clean Water Act. Justice Samuel Alito stated the Act only extends to wetlands with a continuous surface connection to waters of the United States. This decision potentially leaves approximately half of all wetlands and 60% of streams without federal protection. The case revolved around an Idaho couple wanting to build a home on their wetland property, challenging the Act's definition of "Waters of the United States". Critics fear this ruling will undermine the government's ability to protect environmentally sensitive areas. This ruling may introduce complexities into the Biden Administration's legal justification of which wetlands and streams are regarded as "Waters of the U.S." (WOTUS) and are thus subject to the permitting requirements of the Clean Water Act. The WOTUS regulation is currently active in California.