John Rumpler
Clean Water Director and Senior Attorney, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Statement: White House launches new effort to protect clean water
Media Contacts
Biden initiative would protect many wetlands and rivers from pollution
WASHINGTON – The White House launched a new freshwater initiative on Tuesday to protect 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams by 2030. Announced the day after Earth Day, the new challenge under the “America the Beautiful” initiative will engage states, cities, tribes and non-profit organizations to protect waterways left at risk by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Sackett v. EPA. In this case, the court ruled that wetlands without a continuous surface connection with other waterways are no longer protected by the Clean Water Act. The court’s decision also rejected a longstanding legal precedent that has protected streams that provide drinking water for millions of Americans.
Environment America Research & Policy Center has been working to protect the nation’s waters against pollution and degradation for nearly 20 years — issuing research reports, generating public comments and organizing the support of key constituencies. Our partners at Environment America have also participated in litigation to defend the Clean Water Act.
In response to the White House wetlands initiative, John Rumpler, Environment America Research & Policy Center’s clean water director released the following statement:
“Today President Biden has taken a vital step to restore and protect many waterways that are vital to our ecosystems, our health and our way of life.
“From the Great Lakes to the Chesapeake Bay, America waterways depend on wetlands. They are the kidneys of our ecosystem, filtering out pollution that can threaten the health of swimmers, wildlife and our drinking water. Already, our nation has lost vast expanses of wetlands to sprawl, mining, pipelines and more. These wetlands also protect our communities from flooding — a need that only grows more urgent as climate change causes more torrential storms and rising sea levels. And millions of Americans depend on smaller streams for drinking water.
“By launching a partnership with clear goals to protect wetlands, rivers and streams, President Biden is restoring a vital part of what we all know and love as ‘America the Beautiful.’
“It is heartening to see states answer this challenge and extend protections for wetlands and other waters left defenseless against polluters and developers by the Supreme Court. We urge more states to take this vital step as soon as possible.”