Ellen Montgomery
Director, Public Lands Campaign, Environment America
Statement: New House bill looks to protect Iowa rivers and other waterways by halting the administration’s Dirty Water Rule
Media Contacts
John Rumpler
Clean Water Director and Senior Attorney, Environment America
Environment Iowa
DES MOINES — The Clean Water for All Act, which was introduced today in Congress, would repeal the Trump administration’s “Dirty Water Rule.” The rule endangers drinking water for Iowans and millions of Americans by weakening the Clean Water Act. The new legislation was introduced by U.S. Reps. Peter Defazio (Oregon) and Grace Napolitano (California), who respectively chair the committee and subcommittee that oversee the Clean Water Act.
The bill is the latest in a long line of rebukes to the Dirty Water Rule, which has been criticized by EPA’s own scientists, challenged in court by Environment America and several conservation groups, and opposed by the overwhelming number of public comments submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Ellen Montgomery, Field Director with Environment Iowa issued the following statement in support of the bill:
“With the bill introduced today by Congress now has an opportunity to stop the worst rollback in the history of the Clean Water Act.”
“Wetlands and smaller streams are crucial in maintaining the Mississippi River. Wetlands filter out pollutants, provide wildlife habitat, and protect communities by absorbing floodwaters. And across Iowa, streams help provide our drinking water. Yet the Dirty Water Rule leaves more than half our remaining wetlands and millions of miles of streams without federal protection, and thereby opens the floodgates for pollution.”
“The Clean Water for All Act can prevent that destruction. It is an essential step toward the Clean Water Act’s bipartisan vision of ensuring that all of our waters are truly safe and clean.”
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Environment Iowa works for clean air, clean water, clean energy, wildlife, open spaces and a livable climate. Our members across the state put grassroots support behind our research and advocacy. Environment Iowa is part of Environment America, a national network of 29 state environmental groups.
