Clean Water Act Anniversary Finds Wisconsin Lucky but Threatened

October 15, 2003

MADISON — In honor of the 31st anniversary of the Clean Water Act (Saturday, Oct. 18), Clean Wisconsin has called for a renewed commitment to a clean water legacy.

The Clean Water Act was passed into law in 1972. This new law was a revolutionary piece of legislation that made enormous strides toward cleaning up the nation’s polluted waters and allowed all citizens to play a role in cleaning up their water. The Clean Water Act stopped the discharge of toxic pollution into the nation’s lakes and streams including Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River and helped municipalities clean up their sewage treatment plants. In Wisconsin, the Clean Water Act helped reverse pollution in the Great Lakes, the Fox River, the Wisconsin River, and Lake Mendota, among others. In Wisconsin this landmark legislation has been a blessing for an economy bolstered by tourism, recreation and commercial fishing, and for Wisconsin’s residents and visitors that enjoy the state’s beautiful lakes, rivers and streams.

Citing recent attacks on water quality Clean Wisconsin said that now more than ever, Wisconsin citizens need the Clean Water Act to protect their rights to clean, safe water.

“Thanks to regulations like the Clean Water Act, wildlife is flourishing, our drinking water is safer, and the nation’s rivers no longer catch on fire. Thirty one years ago, the Clean Water Act was passed with strong bi-partisan support. Today, we need that same kind of commitment from our lawmakers to use but not abuse our clean, safe water. Our grandchildren deserve a world where they can count on and enjoy drinkable, fishable water,” said Derek Scheer, Clean Wisconsin Water Policy Director.

“Our right to Wisconsin’s water is being threatened by special interests looking to diminish our regulatory protections. Wisconsin has a legacy of clean water that has given residents and visitors the opportunity to swim, boat, hunt, fish and enjoy our beautiful state. On the anniversary of the Clean Water Act it’s time to think about the legacy we leave our children and grandchildren,” said Claire Schmidt, Clean Wisconsin Local Issues Coordinator.

Clean Wisconsin stressed the need to keep clean water in mind when going to vote. Scheer said, “We need to remember the value of our drinkable, fishable and swimmable water when we go to the polls to vote. We need lawmakers that will uphold our right to clean water instead of selling out to corporate polluters.”

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