Congressman John D. Dingell

Tuesday, October 9, 2007

Ypsilanti, MI - Today on the banks of the Huron River in Ann Arbor, MI, Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) called for passage of H.R. 2421, the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA).  “Rivers like the Huron are cleaner today largely because of the Clean Water Act,” Dingell said. “Congress made clear the Clean Water Act covers all waters.  However, the Supreme Court bungled the intent of Congress and their interpretation of the law would eliminate Clean Water Act protections for more than 50 percent of the nation's wetlands and streams.  We have come too far to allow this to happen.  We must pass the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act.”

This month marks the 35th anniversary of the Clean Water Act (CWA), a bill which Dingell played a key role in passing.  Prior to this landmark law, the waters of this country were treated as little more than open sewers.  Industry and government were free to pollute with impunity, and our nation’s waterways suffered tremendously.  Since that time, significant progress has been made in cleaning the water.  Unfortunately, because of two recent Supreme Court decisions, the progress our nation has made is in very real danger of being lost.  The Solid Waste Agency of Northern Cook County (2001) and Rapanos/Carabell (2006) decisions have muddied the understanding of the jurisdiction of the CWA.  The CWRA, which was introduced by Dingell, James Oberstar (D-MN08) and Vern Ehlers (R-MI03), would make clear that all waters of the United States are to be covered by CWA – just as Congress originally intended.

Joining the Congressman at the event were Laura Rubin, Executive Director of Huron River Watershed Council and Liz Elling, the Ann Arbor woman who made news this past summer by completing a two week, 100 mile-plus swim down the Huron River to raise awareness for our lakes and rivers.