Under current federal policies many water bodies are vulnerable to pollution and destruction. The Obama Administration has proposed to fix this problem but powerful special interests oppose this clean water progress. They’ve already gotten their allies in Congress to attempt to block the Administration’s proposals several times this year. With your help we have fended off these attacks.  As 2011 winds down, we need to remind the White House that people support clean water policies and that they need to keep this process moving.

What is at Stake? Over half our streams and 20 million acres of wetlands are vulnerable.  These streams and wetlands aren’t just geographical features. They provide drinking water for over 117 million people, serve as critical habitat for fish and wildlife, protect us against floods and filter pollution out of our water (One acre of wetlands can hold 1 million gallons of floodwaters).  They are vital parts of our water infrastructure.

For much of the last decade, Clean Water Action has worked to restore these Clean Water Act protections, which were lost as a result of policy decisions made by the last Administration in the wake of confusing Supreme Court decisions.
 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) have begun to tackle this problem with draft “Guidance” to state and regional permitting officials. The Guidance was released in April 2011 during the announcement of an Obama Administration “framework” which outlines a comprehensive approach to water issues.  It’s a commitment to protecting water resources in order to promote healthy communities and strong economies.  The next step is a formal “rulemaking” process to clarify which waters the Clean Water Act is meant to protect.

Powerful special interests have vowed to oppose these common-sense updates to our federal water protection policies. Public support is essential to making sure they move forward.

Please let your voice be heard and don’t let polluters have the final say.  Write to the President to show your support for clean water today. Make sure you personalize your message. Your note to the President will have a greater impact if it's in your words.  Tell your story about clean water!