We shouldn’t have to worry if the water sources we rely on for drinking, fishing, and swimming are polluted. But for 117 million Americans, a legal loophole has undermined the Clean Water Act safeguards that are supposed to prevent big polluters from dumping unsafe amounts of dangerous pollutants in our waters.
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers are ready to make important changes to close this loophole—and you can step up to support these changes.
Protect clean water. Tell the EPA and the Corps you support restoring Clean Water Act safeguards for critical streams and wetlands.
Help finalize the Army Corps of Engineers' and Environmental Protection Agency's proposed Clean Water Act Waters of the U.S. rule as soon as possible, follow the science that shows how water bodies are interconnected, and fully protect all of the waterways that have important connections to one another.
Basic clean water protections for head water streams and wetlands have been in question for too long. We strongly support protecting the nation's streams, ponds, wetlands and other waters from pollution. The proposed rule is an important step towards achieving this goal. Preserving our sources of clean drinking water is of the utmost importance. Finalizing a strong rule will secure Clean Water Act protections for countless streams and wetlands, which help supply the drinking water of more than 117 million Americans.
The rule as proposed is a major improvement. I urge you to further strengthen the final rule to fully protect wetlands and other waters found outside of the floodplain of covered waterways. Science shows that the health of these waters influences stream flow, water quality and wildlife in waters downstream.
We urge you to continue to stand up to special interests that oppose these important -- and popular -- clean water protections. EPA has already received more than 100,000 letters in support of moving forward with this rule to protect streams, wetlands, rivers and other waters from pollution or destruction. Hunting and angling organizations, public health professionals and hundreds more local elected officials, farmers, citizens, brewers and other business leaders have spoken out in support of enhanced protections.
As one of the many supporters of this critical initiative to protect our waters from pollution, I thank you and urge you to finalize a strong Waters of the U.S. rule that includes full protection for the nation's waters as soon as possible.