White House Risks Health of Our Water and Our Communities
Trump Administration begins process to roll back Clean Water Rule
Yesterday the Trump Administration put the sources of drinking water for more than 4 million Oregonians at greater risk, along with the streams and wetlands that filter pollution and provide habitat for wildlife, by starting the process to repeal the Clean Water Rule. Leaders in Oregon vow to continue to move forward on protecting our waterways so they are safe places to live, work, swim, fish and drink the water.
“Oregon’s economy and way of life depend on clean and reliable sources of water, and gutting protections won’t lead to cleaner, or safer drinking water,” said Andrea Durbin, Executive Director, Oregon Environmental Council. “We will continue to do the work required here in Oregon to ensure that we have clean water for all.”
“Protecting our waterways is essential to preserving Oregon’s ecosystems, recreation activities, and safe drinking water for communities across the state,” said Lori Grant, Water Program Director, Oregon Environmental Council. “Oregonians will not stand for the pollution and destruction of our streams and wetlands – no one should have to worry about pollution when they turn on the tap.”
Ultimately, the Trump Administration’s clean water rollback plan means that fewer streams, wetlands, and other waters would be protected by the Clean Water Act’s requirement to clean up polluted waters, its pollution control standards for industrial dischargers, its protections against burying streams and wetlands, and numerous other safeguards. It means more pollution to the lakes and streams we rely on for drinking water supply or for fishing and swimming, and a green light for the destruction of wetlands that prevent dangerous flooding.
For nearly 50 years, Oregon Environmental Council has been at the table collaborating for environmental protections for our state’s air, water and climate. We’ve successfully advocated for many state actions on clean water, from the Pesticide Stewardship Partnership Program, to the Governor’s Clean Water Partnership, to the state’s first Integrated Water Resources Strategy.
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Oregon Environmental Council (@OECOnline) is a statewide nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to advancing innovative, collaborative and equitable solutions to Oregon’s environmental challenges for today and future generations. Visit us: oeconline.org. We invest more than 88% of our contributed revenue directly into policies and programs that impact people living in Oregon.