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For 30 years, the Clean Water Act has provided a safeguard against dumping waste into waters and destroying our wetlands. An overwhelming majority of Americans recognize the value in protecting the water quality of streams and lakes and conserving our remaining wetlands, which provide habitat for wildlife, absorb floodwaters, and filter pollution from water. A 2001 Supreme Court ruling threw into question whether federal Clean Water Act protections apply to any wetlands, streams and other waters that may be considered "isolated." In the wake of confusion created by the Court's opinion, varying interpretations have been applied by government agencies and in the courts. In some areas of the country, the ruling was seen as setting aside federal protection of waterbodies that are not immediately adjacent to rivers and streams used for navigation. The "Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2005" was introduced into Congress to clarify that Congress intends for Clean Water Act protection to extend to all of the nation's waters, including the so-called isolated wetlands, streams, ponds and other waterbodies that play an integral role in our environment and the health of our communities.
Dear Senator (or Representative) _______________: The "Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2005" (H.R. 1356) is an important step for safeguarding wetlands, small streams and ponds from mining and other industrial waste dischargers and developers. The Clean Water Authority Restoration Act is particularly essential in light the Bush Administration’s response to a Supreme Court ruling in 2001 which dealt a serious blow to the protection of the nation's waters by narrowing federal authority to control water pollution in seasonal wetlands and other waters that lack permanent surface connections to flowing waters. The Administration is using the Supreme Court ruling as justification for abandoning many small streams, wetlands and ponds. This action would leave communities at risk from increased flooding, degraded drinking water, exposure to bacteria, pathogens and toxics. I urge you to cosponsor the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act of 2005 to ensure that the Clean Water Act will continue to keep all of our nation’s waters healthy and safe. I look forward to hearing your views on this matter.
Sincerely,
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