Clean Water Action Issues Statement On 45th Anniversary of Clean Water Act

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 -- Clean Water Action issued the following statement by President and CEO Bob Wendelgass:

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Today marks the 45th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act. On October 18, 1972 an overwhelming bi-partisan majority in the House of Representatives voted to override President Nixon's veto of the Act and it became law (the Senate voted the a day prior). The United States has made huge strides in the 45 years since a"Euros iconic waters like the Great Lakes were brought back to life, vital watersheds like the Chesapeake are healing, and rivers no longer catch fire. We have achieved many of the goals of the Clean Water Act, but have a long way to go. Unfortunately, Congress and the Trump administration are rapidly working to reverse decades of progress protecting clean water and public health.

"The Clean Water Act has been wildly successful, but we still have a lot of work to do to protect clean water. That's what we should be talking about today.

"Instead, we're fighting to protect the gains we've made and keep polluters and their cronies in Congress and the administration from dragging us back to the days of dead lakes and burning rivers. Republican leaders in Congress and the President have a bleak vision for our water and our health that prioritizes polluters over communities and the environment. Empowered like never before, they are doing everything they can to bulldoze common sense safeguards that keep our water clean and power our economy.

"Luckily we've done this before - we were there during the campaign to pass the Clean Water Act and we have fought to protect clean water ever since. We are already pounding the pavement and knocking on doors in neighborhoods throughout the nation and in the halls of Congress to make sure we put our health and the environment before the needs of polluters and special interests.

"Our water hasn't been this at risk in decades - the repeal of the Clean Water Rule and the Stream Protection Rule put drinking water at risk across the nation. EPA gave toxic coal plants a free pass to pollute our lakes and other sources of drinking water and the President and Congress have proposed cuts to EPA's budget that will undermine vital programs. But we're ready to act. People are engaged like never before and are ready to join us to take action to protect clean water, the Clean Water Act, and our health."