GCA Committees Support Retention of the Clean Water Rule

October 02, 2017

On August 12, 2017, the National Affairs and Legislation Committee and Conservation Committee of The Garden Club of America (GCA) filed comments supporting retention of the Clean Water Rule adopted in 2015.  On July 27, 2017, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers opened a joint rulemaking comment period intended to review and revise the definition of the Waters of the United States (WOTUS).  

“The Clean Water Rule,” said the committees, “clarifies the definition of the ‘Waters of the United States’ and helps protect America’s drinking water and general water quality via protection of our streams, ponds, wetlands, and ephemeral bodies of water.”

On July 13, the committees also sent a letter to EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt urging the retention of the existing Clean Water Rule.

The GCA has advocated for clean water for decades, recognizing the complexity of the aquatic environment and the importance of addressing quality impairments at the source rather than downstream.

“We believe this measure is needed to protect vulnerable waterways and drinking water, thereby safeguarding the health of our communities and our economy,” the GCA committees said.  “The measure will provide clarity about which waters are protected by the Clean Water Act and allow continued progress on restoring iconic watersheds such as Long Island Sound, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Great Lakes.”

Click for the GCA Position Paper on Clean Water.

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