Clean Water Restoration Act

Our Position: Support
Bill Number: S 787
Sponsor: Senator Feingold
Legislative Session: 111th Congress

Overview

Since Congress passed the Clean Water Act in 1972, we have made great progress in cleaning up our nation’s waters, but that progress is in jeopardy today. The law historically has protected the nation’s lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands from unregulated pollution and destruction. Today, however, many water bodies are being denied the Act’s protections against pollution. Polluters argue that Supreme Court decisions from 2001 and 2006 mean that the law’s safeguards are only available for “navigable” water bodies (or for waters that are significantly linked to such water bodies). They claim the Act no longer protects numerous wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes and other waters that historically had been covered.  Ambiguous federal agency policy directives have helped these attacks. The Clean Water Restoration Act is needed to restore the longstanding protections originally intended by Congress.

Status

Introduced check status

Action Needed

Introduce topic to Representative.

Fact Sheets

Clean Water Restoration Fact Sheet - This fact sheet is a good overview of why we need the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA).

Enforcement - This document highlights the ambiguity that recent court decisions have had on the Clean Water Act, and the implications for water not deemed "navigable".

Background Materials

Summary - This info sheet provides a concise summary of why action on the CWRA is urgently needed.

Illinois Specific Consequences - information on the local consequences of inaction, with reference to other Midwest states

Keep Our Nation's Public Drinking Water Sources Safe - information and EPA reports on at risk drinking water sources