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April 2, 2009
Contact:
Melissa Malott, Water Program Director
608.251.7020 ext. 13, 608.220.0167
Sen. Feingold Introduces Bill That Would Restore Protections to Wisconsin Waters
Legislation Essential to Protect Lakes, Rivers and Streams as well as Restore Great Lakes
Madison, WI – Sen. Russ Feingold introduced the
Clean Water Restoration Act in the U.S. Senate today, a bill intended to
restore historic safeguards to wetlands, lakes and streams in Wisconsin
and across the nation. Passage of the legislation is not only important
to protect Wisconsin's inland waters, it is also essential to restoring
our Great Lakes.
"With 15,000 lakes, 32,000 miles of perennial streams, 5.3 million acres
of wetlands, and 1.2 quadrillion gallons of groundwater, reinstating the
Clean Water Act is vital for Wisconsin," said Melissa Malott, water program
director at Clean Wisconsin, the state's largest environmental advocacy
organization. "By reinstating safeguards that protect our water supply,
this legislation protects our state's economic health as well as the health
of our residents."
When enacted in 1972, the Clean Water Act (CWA) broadly protected "all
water in the United States." Two Supreme Court cases in the early 2000s
led to inconsistent interpretations of the law, but essentially ruled that
non-navigable, intrastate waters are not protected by the CWA. These decisions
have placed millions of acres of so-called "isolated" lakes, streams, and
wetlands at risk of losing federal safeguards. The bill introduced today,
co-sponsored by Senator Herb Kohl, would ensure these waters receive full
federal protection.
"We applaud Sens. Feingold and Kohl for leading the effort to protect these
vital waterways," said Malott. "We hope the Senate and Congress act quickly
to restore protections to Wisconsin's waters. Delay will jeopardize our
wetlands, lakes, and streams by leaving them vulnerable to pollution and
destruction."
Passage of the Clean Water Restoration Act is essential to protect and
restore wetlands — a core component of the multi-year effort to restore
the Great Lakes. Healthy wetlands filter sediment and pollution from water
and are essential to keeping Great Lakes water clean. Beyond protecting
Great Lakes water, healthy wetlands provide flood protection; prevent erosion;
provide habitat for wildlife, waterfowl and fish; and support a multi-billion
dollar fishing, hunting, and tourism industry in the Great Lakes states.
"The quick passage of this bill is essential to maintain Wisconsin's vast
water resources, from our bordering big lakes Michigan and Superior, down
to the smallest creeks and streams," said Malott. "The time to act is now."
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Clean Wisconsin, an environmental advocacy organization, protects Wisconsin's clean water and air and advocates for clean energy by being an effective voice in the state legislature and by holding elected officials and polluters accountable. Founded in 1970 as Wisconsin's Environmental Decade, Clean Wisconsin exposes corporate polluters, makes sure existing environmental laws are enforced, and educates citizens and businesses. On behalf of its 10,000 members and its coalition partners, Clean Wisconsin protects the special places that make Wisconsin such a wonderful place to live, work and play. Phone: 608-251-7020, Fax: 608-251-1655, Email: information@cleanwisconsin.org, Website: www.cleanwisconsin.org.