EPA
Environmental Protection Agency Seal (Photo credit: DonkeyHotey)
Clean water is the nation’s most valuable natural resource and is relied on for drinking, recreation, manufacturing, energy development, agriculture, commercial fishing, tourism, and many other purposes that are essential to public health and the economy.
Since 1972, the Clean Water Act has protected our health and environment by reducing the pollution in streams, lakes, rivers, wetlands and other waterways. But over the past decade, interpretations of Supreme Court rulings have removed some waters from federal protection, and caused confusion about which waters and wetlands remain protected.
In April 2011, the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released draft guidance to clarify protection of waters under the Clean Water Act. About 230,000 public comments on the draft guidance were received by the agencies. Most recognized the importance of effective implementation of the Clean Water Act to protect human health and water quality. Read full article…
