Senator Russ Feingold Calls On Congress To Restore True Meaning Of The Clean Water Act

May 15, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. – During a speech at the 2007 National Wetlands Awards on May 9, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold called on Congress to restore the original intent of the Clean Water Act. Feingold said he will soon reintroduce the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act to reaffirm protections the Clean Water Act has provided to our nation’s rivers, streams, and wetlands for over thirty years.

“We need to preserve all of our waters for drinking, fishing, swimming, and a host of other economically vital uses,” Feingold said. “The primary concern of the original Clean Water Act was to protect all waters from pollution, not just sustain the navigability of waterways for some waters.”

Article continues below...

The Clean Water Act was passed by Congress in 1972 and the U.S. Senate reconfirmed the broad scope of the law again in 1977 when it rejected—by a strong, bipartisan vote—a proposal to remove federal protections from a smaller category of wetlands and other waters. Feingold’s legislation is a response to recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that would put much of our waters in jeopardy.

Recalling Wisconsin’s historic commitment to the environment from environmentalists Aldo Leopold and Gaylord Nelson, Feingold also congratulated all seven winners of the 2007 National Wetlands Awards, including the Executive Director for the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association, Jeff Nania of Portage, Wisconsin. He was awarded for his unwavering devotion to the protection of Wisconsin wetlands. The National Wetlands Awards are administered by the Environmental Law Institute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies.

“The motivation and dedication of these award winners should remind us all of the importance of our commitment to the environment,” Feingold said. “Fighting for clean and safe water for all Americans is a significant part of that commitment.”

Source: Senator Russ Feingold