 The Clean Water Act, one of the nation's most comprehensive and successful environmental laws, is celebrating its 35th birthday on October 18, 2007!
And since this is October 18th it would be a great day for everyone to write a letter to their local government and remind those in office of the importance of this bill.
Science Daily published an article yesterday acknowledging that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has not been doing all they should to protect certain areas of water around our country. The main area of concern is the Mississippi River. The article says the EPA needs to look at how the Chesapeake Bay watershed has been managed."In addressing water-quality problems in the river, EPA and the states should draw upon the useful experience in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, where for decades the agency has been working together with states surrounding the bay to reduce nutrient pollution and improve water quality. EPA should demonstrate similar leadership for the Mississippi River." Currently, there are no water-quality standards for nutrients for most of the Mississippi River. The article states, "To diminish nutrient pollution, EPA should exert the federal leadership that the Clean Water Act allows and work with states to develop water-quality standards that protect the Mississippi River and the northern Gulf of Mexico."
The Clean Water Act, if pushed and followed, can help to rid the nation's waterways of pollution. But we need to remind ourselves and our government of what it is meant to do. It is important that we take action and call for a stronger EPA leadership nationwide.
Take action!Labels: Clean Water Act, pollution, water conservation |
