Press Releases

LCV Statement on EPA’s Proposed Rollback of Water Protections in Clean Water Act

Aug 9, 2019

Contact: Emily Samsel, 202-454-4573, emily_samsel@lcv.org

Washington, D.C. — In response to the Trump EPA’s new proposed rule on Section 401 of the Clean Water Act that would limit states and tribes’ authority to protect their waters from damaging pipelines and other projects, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Deputy Legislative Director Madeleine Foote:

“Apparently the Trump administration only likes states’ rights when it can use them as an excuse to allow polluters to destroy streams and pave over wetlands, not when states and tribes want to actually protect their waterways from pipelines or other harmful projects. Section 401 is an incredibly important piece of the Clean Water Act that has allowed states and tribes to protect the waters their communities depend on for drinking, recreation, and fueling healthy local economies. At a time when communities across the country are suffering from water crises in the form of dead zones, lead contamination, and so many other challenges, this proposed rule is the exact opposite of what is needed. Instead of this continued all-out assault on the Clean Water Act, the administration should be working to strengthen safeguards for our waterways and ensure every community has access to clean water.”

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