Clean Water, Sustainable Agriculture Groups Vow Continued Vigilance to Protect Wetlands After Victory in District Court

Pacific Legal Foundation plaintiff does not appeal court decision in dangerous lawsuit seeking to gut longstanding “Swampbuster” protections 

IOWA - The Pacific Legal Foundation and its plaintiff who lost its case in a federal district court in Iowa did not appeal to the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals to continue their misguided attempt to eliminate voluntary wetlands protections that are part of the longstanding “Swampbuster” provisions of the U.S. Farm Bill. The plaintiff had a July 28 deadline to file an appeal. 

On May 29, 2025, federal judge C.J. Williams of the Northern District of Iowa ruled in favor of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the environment, and family farmers in a lawsuit, CTM Holdings, LLC v. U.S. Department of Agriculture, which sought to gut established clean water and wetlands protections.

The district court decision was a victory for wetlands, habitat, and water quality throughout the United States. Environmental and sustainable agriculture groups including Iowa Farmers Union (represented by Environmental Law & Policy Center), Iowa Environmental Council, Dakota Rural Action, and Food & Water Watch intervened in the case to defend “Swampbuster” from the plaintiff’s effort to have the program deemed unconstitutional. The decision not to appeal means that the district court decision is final and binding. That said, Pacific Legal Foundation could file a new case challenging Swampbuster in the future. 

Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) Senior Attorney Katie Garvey said:

“The district court got it right when it decided in our favor - CTM Holdings hasn't suffered any legal injuries, and it doesn't meet the legal standards to bring a lawsuit. We will fight any future attempts to weaken or dismantle the “Swampbuster” federal subsidy program as we continue to stand up for family farmers and wetlands in the Midwest and across the country.”

Iowa Farmers Union President Aaron Lehman said:

“The Swampbuster provision is an essential piece of farm programs. It ensures that farm policy supports the broad public goals of farm economic stability, clean water, and healthy landscapes. The May decision from the court makes good sense for farmers, for taxpayers, and our environment.”

Food & Water Watch (F&WW) Staff Attorney Dani Replogle said:

“The case is closed — Swampbuster is here to stay. The district court’s decision was an unequivocal victory for sustainable farming, clean water and wetlands, and a significant loss for Project 2025 zealots. The federal government’s uncontroversial ability to encourage sustainable farming practices is simply not up for debate.” 

Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) General Counsel Michael Schmidt said:

“Swampbuster has been a foundational law supporting conservation that works well for farmers and the public. Wetlands have immense value for improving water quality, reducing floods, and maintaining biodiversity. We'll continue to defend and protect wetlands here in Iowa and across the U.S." 

The intervenors are represented by the ELPC, F&WW, and the IEC.

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The Iowa Environmental Council (IEC) is an alliance of diverse organizations and individuals working together to protect Iowa's natural environment. Founded in 1995, it is the largest and most comprehensive environmental coalition in the state. Through education, advocacy and coalition building, the Council raises awareness, generates action and creates large-scale change that makes Iowa a better place to live, work and explore. Learn more at www.iaenvironment.org. 

Food & Water Watch is a national nonprofit that mobilizes people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people’s health, communities and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests. For more information, please visit foodandwaterwatch.org.

Dakota Rural Action (“DRA”) organizes people and builds leadership while developing strong allied relationships. DRA protects environmental resources, advocates for resilient agriculture systems, and empowers people to create policy change that strengthens their communities and cultures. DRA envisions an active and engaged membership promoting healthy, beautiful, and just food, agriculture, and energy systems that protect clean air, water, and soil for all the current and future inhabitants of South Dakota.

The Environmental Law & Policy Center is the Midwest’s premier environmental legal advocacy organization. We use the power of the law and strategic advocacy campaigns to create climate change solutions, advance clean energy, protect public health, and preserve the Midwest’s wild and natural places.

The Iowa Farmers Union is a grassroots membership organization of family farmers and ranchers, advocates, and consumers committed to promoting family agriculture in Iowa. Since 1915, Iowa Farmers Union members have worked together to strengthen the independent family farm through education, legislation, and cooperation and to provide Iowans with sustainable production, safe food, a clean environment, and healthy communities.