Many of you may remember MTU’s long history in standing up for the protections our streams have under the Clean Water Act. The EPA is proposing a new policy that would be the first step in restoring protections for small streams, headwaters, and wetlands that are critical to a healthy and functioning water system.
This “Waters of the United States” rule – better known as WOTUS- is based in sound science (and good common sense): If we pollute upstream, we put downstream waters at risk.
Millions of miles of streams and millions of acres of wetlands lost Clean Water Act protection under the previous administration. Now we have a chance to see that they’re protected going forward.
This proposal would officially roll back the previous administration’s rule and largely return to earlier guidelines. Speak up today on behalf of the rivers and streams we care so much about, and the watersheds we are working so hard to conserve.
And then stay tuned. Later this year, the EPA will release a new definition of “Waters of the United States” covered by the Clean Water Act, and MTU and TU will be working hard to ensure it provides lasting protections for small headwater streams.