American Rivers * Clean Water Action * Environment America * Natural Resources Defense Council * League of Conservation Voters * Prairie Rivers Network * River Network * Sierra Club
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael Kelly, 202.393.5449, mkelly@cleanwater.org
Washington (August 28, 2015) – A coalition of conservation groups today said they are mobilizing their millions of members and activists in support of the Clean Water Rule and to oppose efforts in Congress to block it.
Their call comes as the long-awaited rule, issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (the Corps), took effect across most of the nation on Friday, August 28. Unfortunately, due to a temporary injunction issued by the District of North Dakota, EPA and the Corps cannot implement the rule in 13 states involved in litigation.
In a group statement, American Rivers, Clean Water Action, Environment America, the Natural Resources Defense Council, League of Conservation Voters, Prairie Rivers Network, River Network, and Sierra Club said:
“Today is a landmark in the history of clean water protection. Though we are disappointed by the temporary injunction in North Dakota, which leaves the water families and communities rely on in 13 states at risk of pollution and destruction, we are confident that commonsense, science-based protections for our water will prevail in the courts. The Clean Water Act authorizes EPA and the Corps to safeguard the bodies of water that have a significant impact on downstream waters and that is what the Clean Water Rule does.
Public support for the Clean Water Rule has never wavered and Americans will not tolerate efforts, in Congress or the courts, to turn back the clock now. Recent polls show that majorities of Americans across the political spectrum want their elected officials to get out of the way and let the Clean Water Rule go forward. However, the assault on clean water protections continues. Defying common sense, science, and their constituents, a number of states filed suit to stop the Rule; and Republican leaders in both the House and Senate attached riders to must-pass spending bills that would roll back the Clean Water Rule, even though the Obama administration has rightly threatened to veto these measures. These actions raise the specter of another government shutdown this fall. In addition, the Senate is very likely to debate S. 1140, a bill to stop the Clean Water Rule and force the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps to start over.
Americans are tired of polluters and their political defenders politicizing clean water. Our millions of members and supporters understand what’s at stake, and we will make sure their voices are heard by members of Congress to ensure the Clean Water Rule is implemented without delay.”
The Clean Water Rule eliminates loopholes that for more than a decade left roughly 60% of the nation’s small streams and millions of acres of wetlands vulnerable to pollution and destruction. The Clean Water Rule restores clear protections to the drinking water supplies for nearly a third of all Americans.
Small business owners, local governments, public health professionals, religious leaders, rural interests and the general public support the Clean Water Rule. Despite this broad public support, polluters—led by lobbyists for corporate agribusiness, oil and gas, and big developers—are exerting heavy pressure on Congress to undermine the Clean Water Rule.
For more information, please visit ProtectCleanWater.org.
See how the Clean Water Rule will protect Illinois waters
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