It's time to break industry stranglehold on clean water legislation
A year ago, the 111th Congress looked like a friend to those who care about clean water. I praised Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Ben Cardin (D-MD) and others back then for introducing legislation that would restore teeth to the Clean Water Act.
Things moved swiftly as a compromise version of this bill, the Clean Water Restoration Act, passed through the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee last June. Attention then shifted to the House side, where Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) was expected to reintroduce the bill by early autumn.
But, despite promises for quick action, we still do not have a bill in the House. And momentum on strengthening clean water protections has slowly diminished under the weight of industry pressure.
Until now.
A few days ago, The New York Times released the latest in a series of articles investigating the many profound impacts of inadequate enforcement of our clean water laws throughout the country. From its opening words, this article zeroes in on why the Clean Water Restoration Act is necessary:
Thousands of the nation's largest water polluters are outside the Clean Water Act's reach because the Supreme Court has left uncertain which waterways are protected by that law.
The Act would safeguard streams, lakes and rivers that have lost or are at risk of losing federal pollution protections—waterways that provide drinking water for more than a third of Americans, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Without this important bill, polluters may be free to dump at will—with little to no consequence. The article warns:
"We are, in essence, shutting down our Clean Water programs in some states," said Douglas F. Mundrick, an EPA lawyer in Atlanta. "This is a huge step backward. When companies figure out the cops can't operate, they start remembering how much cheaper it is to just dump stuff in a nearby creek."
The Boston Globe editorialized on March 3 that:
Recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court have undermined the ability of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop pollution of the nation's waterways. Congress should pass a senate bill that would leave no doubt about the agency's authority to crack down on manufacturers, developers, and others guilty of discharging toxic wastes into wetlands and rivers.
We couldn't agree more.
Today, Earthjustice calls on Chairman Oberstar and others to read and reread this important article and respond to this call for action. Introducing the Clean Water Restoration Act and passing this legislation will finally put to rest the uncertainty, confusion and ambiguity that has undermined Congress' original intent when it passed the Clean Water Act—that all America's waters should be protected from destruction, pollution and degradation.
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Yes, you are right. We should act on this problem. If we will just remain sitting and just watching what the hell is going on. They will be more powerful.
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But, despite promises for quick action, we still do not have a the north face outlet bill in the House. And momentum on strengthening clean water protections has slowly diminished under the weight north face outlet of industry pressure.
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It must be gratifying when journalists can actually exert some influence in the direction of a country. Luckily, I've from Canada and our water is pretty excellent!
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why? it was a great project. Nowadays, all the politicians are corrupt.
Maybe they will change the strategy in the future!
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Well, the events of this past week continue to show us the importance of all forms of water legislation, not only in its biological impact on our domestic environment, but in the sense of homeland security, as it threatens millions of livelihoods sesli siteler
why was it dammed? in your first sentence you said that "the 111th Congress looked like a friend to those who care about clean water", but it was a deception.
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Well lets hope we get a bill, but I am not holding my breath since the Obama administration looks to people the right hand of the corporations after 2 yrs.
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only in its biological impact on our domestic environment, but in the sense of homeland security, as it threatens millions of livelihoodsAccident Insurance
Well, the events of this past week continue to show us the importance of all forms of water legislation, not only in its biological impact on our domestic environment, but in the sense of homeland security, as it threatens millions of livelihoods. Mnui studies show that thousands of businesses have been impacted by these disasters, not only at the immediate level of fisheries, but many businesses down the line, all the way to the consumer. We really have to consider the secondary and tertiary effects of legislation, as too many bills are dumbed down and simplified to bias political slogans.
Trip, The problem with CWRA is not in the House. Oberstar has introduced this bill for two Congresses, the problem is the SENATE!!!!! Check out the Oberstar gave after the Rapanos ruling http://www.oberstar.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC={9F40DFBC-A0C7-471C-B378-6411C8CAD01B}&DE={F0C06664-CF9F-4312-A0E6-7D965B054B65} Why would you assume Oberstar doesn't understand the issue?
The House pulled out the stops and passed Cap and Trade only to see it sit with over 250 other bills with no chance of passage by the Senate. If we lose control of the House what chance will there be of ever fixing the Clean Water Act? None. So why insist that Oberstar push vulnerable House members walk the plank on tough legislation only to see it die in the Senate.
The Senate has marked up its version of CWRA and it's waiting for floor action. Fat chance that will happen. The more deliberative upper body is too gutless to move it.
I will bet you anything that Oberstar will not only introduce CWRA, but moves it to passage if the Senate actually does something.
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