Dear John, 

The Trump administration is back at it, putting our clean water at risk by limiting the ability of states and tribes to protect their own water resources. Access to safe, clean drinking water is sadly becoming an issue for more and more Americans. States and tribes need the ability to protect our celebrated Midwest waterways – the Mississippi River and the Great Lakes—from the polluting interests of the oil and gas industry.

Section 401 of the Clean Water Act is a vital tool that allows states to review the impacts of federal projects on waterways and water quality within their borders. Now the EPA wants to remove states’ and tribes ability to determine if federal permits will compromise state water quality standards.

The EPA should be encouraging states to ensure that our rivers, lakes, bays and waterways are safeguarded, not restricting them. The EPA’s reckless proposal puts clean water, environmental habitats and public health at risk while lining polluters pocketbooks.
 

 

Thank you for your support and engagement.


Ann Mesnikoff
Federal Legislative Director
Environmental Law & Policy Center