WASHINGTON — On Thursday, the U.S. House passed legislation that would make more than a dozen changes to the Clean Water Act, including limiting the power of states to block infrastructure due to environmental concerns.

The PERMIT Act would establish strict timelines for when environmental groups could file a lawsuit challenging a permit authorizing the destruction of wetlands. It would also make it more difficult for individuals, municipalities, and advocacy groups to sue over unauthorized discharges of water pollution. Both issues could have profound impacts on Florida, especially Manatee County.

The bill passed largely along partisan lines with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) as the only Republican to vote against it. Six Democrats—Reps. Sanford Bishop (D-N.C.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Henry Cuellar (D-Tex), Donald Davis (D-N.C.), Adam Gray (D-CA) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash)— broke ranks to vote in favor of the bill….

“It’s not safe or sensible to invite the destruction of wetlands or let dangerous pesticides that harm children’s health and imperil wildlife pour into our waterways,” said J.W. Glass, EPA policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity. “The PERMIT Act erases longstanding protections that limit toxic chemical discharge into streams and rivers, while simultaneously opening the door to the destruction of countless wetlands and tributaries. Florida Republicans should also quit trying to resurrect the corpse of Florida’s illegal wetland dredging program and focus instead on actual solutions to protect clean water and biodiversity