Clean Water Act Turns 30

The

Clean Water Act celebrated its 30th birthday on October 18. The law has enjoyed bipartisan support and has accomplished much to protect America’s water resources. Since its inception in 1972, for example, the act has slowed the rate of wetland loss by 75% and doubled the number of households served by sewage treatment plants. Despite the act’s success, the day was marked by the environmental community with as much trepidation as celebration. Although 45% of the country’s assessed waters have been deemed unsafe for fishing or swimming (up 5% from 1998), the Bush administration is steadily weakening Clean Water Act protections. “The administration is hosting events nationwide to celebrate one of our most successful and popular environmental laws, and behind the scenes is trying to kill it,” said Nancy Stoner, director of the Natural Resources Defense Council’s (NRDC) Clean Water Project. “It’s a plot worthy of Shakespeare.” Details are online at

www.nrdc.org.