WASHINGTON - October 3 - The nation's top environmental enforcement agency has decided against regulating perchlorate, a component of solid rocket fuel that has been found in the drinking water of millions of Americans.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), employing the age-old D.C. practice of releasing bad news on a Friday afternoon, announced its decision not to implement federal safety standards for the ubiquitous thyroid toxin, which has been found in the bodies of almost every American tested. It has also been found in breast milk, often at levels that may be unsafe for babies.

OAKLAND, Calif. - October 3 - Environmental advocates plan to sue the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over its refusal to set limits for perchlorate in drinking water. Perchlorate, a primary ingredient in rocket fuel, munitions, and explosives, has been linked to thyroid problems in pregnant women, newborns and young children nationwide.

WASHINGTON - October 1 - On the eve of the 40th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, American Rivers today called on Congress to renew its commitment to protect the nation's clean water and river heritage by passing bills to add more than 850 miles of rivers to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.

"We have come a long way in 40 years, but we still have a long way to go. There are 3.5 million miles of rivers in our country, and less than one percent are protected," said Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers.

TOLEDO - September 30 - Local public officials from Northwest Ohio will join American Rivers staff tomorrow on a tour through Chicago and Milwaukee to show off the cities' commitments to green infrastructure. The tour will begin in Chicago at the Center for Green Technology and end at the Johnson's Park neighborhood in Milwaukee.

WASHINGTON - September 24 - On Tuesday, the U.S. House passed the Great Lakes Compact, which aims to ban diversion of Great Lakes water. Hailed as a landmark conservation bill by many, the Compact will ultimately fail to stop corporations from withdrawing and selling water as a commodity. Despite efforts launched by an international coalition lead by Food & Water Watch and the Council of Canadians to ensure a more comprehensive agreement, the Great Lakes Compact passed the U.S. House yesterday by a vote of 390 to 25.

SHAPLEIGH, Maine - September 24 - The people of Shapleigh, Maine voted overwhelmingly Saturday to halt Nestlé's water mining activities.  The vote represents a community victory against the multinational company's plans to develop new water sources for its Poland Springs bottling brand in Maine.