Skip to main content

We can't buy a new planet.

But we can fight for the one we have. Join today and double your impact!
Our Stories

Jun. 22, 2020

Five Watersheds in Jeopardy From the Dirty Water Rule

The Trump administration’s Dirty Water Rule cuts millions of streams and wetlands out of safeguards guaranteed by the Clean Water Act. For excluded waterways, few protections will stop the dumping of toxic pollution.

Everyone is downstream from someone. Waters losing protection will not only devastate specific waterways within a watershed, but also waterways that connect downstream and the people who rely on them.

Learn about five different watersheds at risk:

Map of the Upper San Pedro Watershed.

Arizona

Upper San Pedro Watershed

Protected Water and Wetland Modeling Results for Upper San Pedro Watershed.
View Larger Map
Map of the Upper James River Watershed.

South Dakota / North Dakota

Upper James River Watershed

Protected Water and Wetland Modeling Results for Upper James River Watershed.
View Larger Map
Map of the Upper Deschutes Watershed.

Oregon

Upper Deschutes River Watershed

Protected Water and Wetland Modeling Results for Upper Deschutes Watershed.
View Larger Map
Map of the South Platte Headwaters Watershed.

Colorado

South Platte Headwaters Watershed

Protected Water and Wetland Modeling Results for South Platte Headwaters Watershed.
View Larger Map
Map of the Chavez Creek Watershed.

New Mexico

Chavez Creek Watershed

Protected Water and Wetland Modeling Results for Chavez Creek Watershed.
View Larger Map

The Trump administration's “Navigable Waters Protection Rule” officially went into effect on Jun. 22, 2020. Earthjustice filed legal challenges on behalf of Tribes, and labor and environmental advocates.

Our Clients Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, Quinault Indian Nation of Washington State, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa of Minnesota, Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, Tohono O’odham Tribe of Arizona, Mi Familia Vota, Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, Idaho Conservation League, Sierra Club

The Environmental Protection Agency’s own science advisors have said the Trump administration’s rule threatens to weaken protection of the nation’s waters by disregarding the established connectivity of groundwaters.

“Earthjustice, our clients, and partners will continue to fight for the full protection of all our nation’s waters,” explained Earthjustice attorney Janette Brimmer.

Media Inquiries: Liz Trotter, Press Secretary, Earthjustice, (305) 332-5395
“We cannot develop the vast majority of already known oil reserves, let alone Arctic Ocean oil, if we are to avoid the worst climate change consequences.”
– Erik GrafeEarthjustice deputy managing attorney, on defending the Arctic from offshore oil and gas development.
The Stories to Read On Waters of the U.S.

Trump Said Water Protections Hurt Farmers. An Earthjustice Attorney Fact-Checked Him.

Waters of the U.S. Under Threat

Restore the Clean Water Act

What You Need To Know This Week