Stop the Dirty Water Act

By Sally Van Vleck

The Clean Water Act of 1972 is up for reauthorization and Congress is considering several bills which would greatly weaken the current act. The Sierra Club and many other environmental groups are working very hard to educate the public about how damaging these bills would be to our waters. Referring to H.R. 961, Carol Browner, head of the EPA, said, "This bill will bring more sewage into our rivers and lakes This is gutting one of our strongest environmental laws." (Washington Post, 5/17/95) The Senate version of this bill, S.851, is equally damaging. It is currently in the Senate Environment Committee. The head of the committee, Sen. John Chaffee (R-R.I.), opposes the bill, but is getting pressure from Senator Dole as well as the other members of the committee, to support the bill in its current form. By redefining what is a wetland, both of these bills would declassify the majority of our current wetlands and open them to possible destruction. In addition, these bills would postpone any further improvement in water quality unless it can be proved that the benefits -- in health, swimability, fish stocks, whatever -- are worth the cost. The bill would also relax national water quality standards, provide certain industries with further exemptions, and make voluntary a program that now requires states and cities to control storm-water pollution.

At a time when what is needed is a stronger law to protect our waterways, it is unbelievable that Congress is bowing to the pressure of industry and lobbyists. Letters demanding the reauthorization of the 1972 Clean Water Act and opposition to both bills being considered by Congress should be sent to: your Senators (for Michigan residents: Carl Levin--who opposes the current bills but needs encouragement from you; Spence Abraham--who supports the bills); and Representatives; also Senator Bob Dole; Senator John Chaffee.

Postal Addresses:

Carl Levin (Dem)

Senate Office Bldg.

Washington D.C. 20510

(202) 224-6221

Term expires: 1-97

or:

1880 McNamara Federal Building

Detroit, MI 48226

(313) 226-6020

Spencer Abraham(R)

B40 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

(202) 224-4822

or:

30800 Vandyke, Suite 307

Warren, MI 48091

(810) 573-9017

Robert Dole

SH-141 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, D.C. 20510

Office Phone: 202/224-6521

You can direct correspondence to your Senator or to other U.S. Senate offices at the following address:

Office of Senator (Name)

United States Senate

Washington, D.C. 20510

Alternatively, you may phone the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the Senate office you wish to speak with. For information on the Congress, on the Web, point your browser here.

For more information: call the Clean Water Network at (202) 624-9357.