Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on the Obama Administration's Support for Congressional Action to Clarify the Clean Water Act

Statement

Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold on the Obama Administration's Support for Congressional Action to Clarify the Clean Water Act

Today, members of the Obama administration wrote to Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairman Barbara Boxer on the administration's view that because recent Supreme Court decisions have "narrowed the prior interpretation of the scope of waters protected by the Clean Water Act" and that "a clear statement of Congressional intent is needed to provide a foundation for steady and predictable implementation of the Clean Water Act." Senator Russ Feingold, whose Clean Water Restoration Act (S.787) would provide that foundation, released the following statement.

"I am pleased the administration understands the urgent need to protect our nation's waters and is calling for legislation to do so. Every day Congress fails to reaffirm Clean Water Act protections, more and more waters are stripped of their protections, jeopardizing wildlife habitats, recreational pursuits, agricultural and industrial uses, and the drinking water of millions of Americans. Congress should quickly respond to this call from the administration or risk leaving our waters and our wetlands unprotected."

The Clean Water Restoration Act would ensure protections for rivers, streams and wetlands which were long protected under the Clean Water Act (CWA), but are now in jeopardy of losing protections as a result of two recent Supreme Court cases. Since those decisions, more and more waters continue to be stripped of protections previously provided by the CWA, which became law in 1972. The bill is cosponsored by 25 senators and has received broad support from governors, attorneys general, farming groups, hunting and fishing groups and others who recognize the great danger of leaving our waters and wetlands unprotected.

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