February, 26 2009, 02:01pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Melissa Samet, (415) 482-8150
Angela Dicianno, (202) 243-7077
Clean Water Restoration Act Will Protect Our Nation's Waters
More than 160 leading freshwater scientists and engineers sent a
letter yesterday to President Obama urging his support for the Clean
Water Restoration Act. This legislation is urgently needed to ensure
that Clean Water Act protections are provided to the nation's vast
array of headwater streams and wetlands; waters that are critical for
clean drinking water, public safety, and fish and wildlife habitat.
Protection of these waters is at risk due to recent Supreme Court
decisions that called into question the scientific relationship between
these vitally important wetlands and la
WASHINGTON
More than 160 leading freshwater scientists and engineers sent a
letter yesterday to President Obama urging his support for the Clean
Water Restoration Act. This legislation is urgently needed to ensure
that Clean Water Act protections are provided to the nation's vast
array of headwater streams and wetlands; waters that are critical for
clean drinking water, public safety, and fish and wildlife habitat.
Protection of these waters is at risk due to recent Supreme Court
decisions that called into question the scientific relationship between
these vitally important wetlands and large rivers downstream.
Rebecca Wodder, president of American Rivers, made the following statement:
"Passage of the Clean Water Restoration Act will ensure that the
best available science can once again guide protection of our Nation's
waters."
"Congress recognized the importance of protecting small steams and
wetlands 37 years ago when it passed the Clean Water Act with the
intent of protecting all of the Nation's waters. Tragically, the Clean
Water Act is now broken. Only Congress can fix this problem, and we
urge President Obama to take a vital leadership role on this issue, and
advise Congress to immediately pass the Clean Water Restoration Act."
"We applaud President Obama's commitment to restoring science to its
rightful place and to utilizing the best available science to protect
public health and the environment. Immediate passage of the Clean
Water Restoration Act is essential for upholding that commitment and
for ensuring protection of our Nation's waterways."
To view the letter, click here.
American Rivers is the only national organization standing up for healthy rivers so our communities can thrive. Through national advocacy, innovative solutions and our growing network of strategic partners, we protect and promote our rivers as valuable assets that are vital to our health, safety and quality of life. Founded in 1973, American Rivers has more than 65,000 members and supporters nationwide, with offices in Washington, DC and the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, California and Northwest regions.
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