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Joint Congressional Statement on EPA/Army Corps Rule to Clarify Protection for Nation's Streams and Wetlands

March 26, 2014

Yesterday, the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers proposed a new rule to protect the waters of the United States. The rule would make clear that the EPA and the Army Corps have the authority and responsibility to protect smaller bodies of water from harmful pollution – an authority which had come into question due to recent interpretations of Supreme Court rulings. U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Luis Gutiérrez (IL-04), and Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement on the proposed rule:

“As members of Congress, we often hear from our constituents how important it is that Lake Michigan, the Mississippi, and all Illinois waterways are clean and protected. We applaud the EPA and Army Corps’ proposed rule clarifying their authority to protect smaller bodies of water from harmful pollution.

“Millions of Illinoisans drink Lake Michigan water and spend the summers in the lake or on its shores. We must ensure that our waterways – including wetlands and small tributaries – are free of harmful pollutants that could make their way into our drinking or recreational water sources.

“Passage of the Clean Water Act 40 years ago was one of the most important and popular environmental protections in our history, creating a legacy of cleaner water in the United States. Today’s proposed rule would ensure that legacy continues. We commend the EPA and the Army Corps for taking this action and will continue to support the agencies in their efforts to protect public health and the environment.”

To learn more about the proposed rule, click here.