Rivers & lakes
Our country’s lakes, rivers and streams give life to ecosystems and people alike from coast to coast. Now it’s time we protect them as the life-giving resources they are.
Featured Resources
Wasting our Waterways
Safe for swimming?
Safe for swimming?
The Latest
Report: Over 1 million pounds of toxic chemicals dumped in Oregon’s waterways
Industrial facilities dumped over 1 million pounds of toxic chemicals into Oregon's waterways in 2020 according to Wasting Our Waterways, a new report by Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center.
Washington Governor Inslee, Senator Murray commit to making dam breaching viable to save salmon, orcas
This week, for the first time, Washington Gov. Inslee and Sen. Murray outlined a clear path for breaching the dams on the Lower Snake River, getting us one step closer to saving salmon and orcas.
Groups urge EPA and Army Corps to restore nation’s clean water protections
Environment America Research & Policy Center’s Clean Water Network delivered support from nearly 100 groups Monday to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers urging federal policymakers to officiallyrescind the Trump administration's Navigable Waters Protection Rule (also known as the ‘Dirty Water Rule’) and restore protections for our nation’s waterways. In addition, Environment America Research & Policy Center and Environmental Action submitted 18,316 comments from their individual members on this issue.
Thousands urge EPA to protect waterways from pollution
Nearly 30,000 people are urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to end the dumping of PFAS chemicals, and thousands more are telling the agency to dramatically reduce pollution from slaughterhouses. Environment America Research & Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund submitted comments from these individuals to the EPA Thursday as the agency considers updating pollution control standards, which is required by the Clean Water Act. The groups are also calling on the EPA to strengthen standards for other industrial sources -- including power plants and refineries.
Pathogens pose risk at 18 Oregon beaches
With Oregonians returning to local beaches this summer, a new report warns that more work is needed to ensure that all waters are safe for swimming. In 2020, 18 Oregon beaches were potentially unsafe for swimming on at least one day, according to Safe for Swimming? - Environment Oregon Research & Policy Center's annual analysis of bacteria testing. The report comes as Congress considers investments in water infrastructure.