Protecting Clean Water

One of the League’s top national policy priorities is restoring critical Clean Water Act protections to wetlands, streams, and other waters. Although the League has been leading efforts to pass legislation in Congress to address this problem, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers have clear authority under the Clean Water Act to restore some of the lost protections. In fact, Supreme Court justices, including Chief Justice Roberts, have called on these agencies to do just that. This page provides information about this issue and the League’s efforts to restore long-standing Clean Water Act protections.

WHAT'S NEW

• The state of our waters: Time is running out to restore national wetland and stream protections (1/31/12)
• Clean Water Finding Few Friends in Washington (Field & Stream "The Conservationist" blog, 1/25/12)
• National Hunting and Angling Groups Support Clean Water Regulation (PDF link) (12/14/11)
• Keep the Clean Water Act Strong (New York Times, 11/28/11)
• We must protect our prairie potholes (Houston Chronicle, 9/23/11)
• State Laws Not a Substitute for the Clean Water Act: New Report Finds Many Waters at Risk (Scott Kovarovics, IWLA Conservation Director, 9/16/11)

Administration Takes Critical First Step to Restore Clean Water Protections
In April 2011, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers took a crucial first step to begin restoring long-standing Clean Water Act protections for streams, wetlands and other waters. The agencies proposed guidance that would better protect small streams and wetlands that provide critical habitat for fish and wildlife, flood control, drinking water, and many other benefits. The guidance was available for public comment for 90 days (through July 31, 2011), and the agencies are reviewing public comments prior to issuing final guidance.

Guidance Documents from EPA and the Corps

• Federal Register notice (PDF)
• Supporting Materials from EPA
• Agriculture Exemptions Remain (PDF) 

Facts for Sportsmen

• "Clean Water Act Guidance: A Balanced Approach to Restoring Clean Water Act Protections" fact sheet (PDF)
• "Hunters and Anglers: Supporting Our Nation's Economy and Conservation" fact sheet (PDF)
• More Than 250 Sportsmen and Conservation Groups Speak Out for Clean Water (comment letter to EPA)
• Sportsmen Support Clean Water Act Guidance (letter to Congress) (PDF)
• National Hunting, Angling Groups Applaud Release of Clean Water Guidance (press release)

Congressional Attacks on Clean Water
Since February 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives has pursued an increasingly broad attack on fundamental components of the Clean Water Act and national water quality policy. EPA and Army Corps Clean Water Act guidance has been a repeated target. The League and other national hunting, angling, and conservation groups have strongly opposed these actions, which would undermine safeguards for our drinking water and essential habitat for fish, wildlife, and waterfowl.

• House approves bill to undercut the Clean Water Act (7/14/11)

• House of Representatives Strikes Double Blow Against Clean Water Protections (7/12/11)

• Sportsmen Condemn House Attempt to Weaken Clean Water Act (6/22/11)

• House Committee Blocks Clean Water Protections (6/15/11)

• A Sneaky Attack on Clean Water Rules (The New York Times, 6/17/11)

• Déjà Vu for Clean Water Act Protections (6/3/11)

• Hunting and Angling Groups Letter to Representative Mike Simpson Opposing Clean Water Rider (PDF)
• Hunting and Angling Groups Letter to Senator Jack Reed Opposing House Clean Water Rider (PDF)
• League Executive Director Speaks Out Against Clean Water Rider at Press Conference

At-risk Streams Provide Drinking Water for 117 Million Americans
Small streams, especially ones that may not flow all year, are especially at risk of losing Clean Water Act protections and becoming vulnerable to increased pollution. However, analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency concludes that these streams flow to public drinking water systems serving more than 117 million Americans. The EPA Web site breaks this information down for every state and many counties nationwide. 

Additional Background

• Clean Water at a Crossroads (PDF): The League's Conservation Director, Scott Kovarovics, teamed up with Jan Goldman-Carter from the National Wildlife Federation to write this clear and insightful summary of the threats to America's waters today — and how hunters and anglers can safeguard our waters for future generations.