Erin Silver Wheeler: Leave Clean Water Act Intact
March 22 was World Water Day, a day that turns focus to 750 million people who lack the human right to clean water.
In America, we are lucky enough to have the Clean Water Act protecting our rights, but unfortunately it has recently fallen under threat from powerful polluting special interests.
Criticism against the Clean Water Act’s restoration has come from all directions, including Louisiana Sen. David Vitter, who called the rule “one of the biggest private property grabs in history.” These claims are unfounded.
The truth is that the Obama administration is simply restoring the Clean Water Act to its former strength before the Supreme Court controversially restricted it in 2006.
This restoration would protect vulnerable waterways feeding into the drinking water sources of 117 million Americans. The rule could also produce savings of $278 million annually from flood reduction, decreased pollution, and reduced illness caused by contaminated tap water.
And contrary to recent claims, farmers will continue to receive their historic exemptions for agriculture practices. The way forward is clear; Congress should leave the Clean Water Act alone and let it protect our public health, our economy, and the environment we depend on.
Erin Silver Wheeler is an intern at Environment Massachusetts, Boston.
