FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 27, 2015
Contact: Melanie Gade: mgade@defenders.org; (202) 772-0288
Obama Administration Acts to Protect America’s Clean Water
WASHINGTON – Defenders of Wildlife today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for resolving confusion created by previous court decisions about Clean Water Act jurisdiction, restoring protections for 60 percent of the nation’s wetlands and rivers and helping one in three Americans gain better access to uncontaminated drinking water.
Jamie Rappaport Clark, CEO and President of Defenders of Wildlife issued the following statement:
“All Americans and our wildlife deserve clean water. By finalizing the Clean Water Rule today, the Obama Administration is making that a reality.
“The Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act and the Endangered Species Act are this nation’s bedrock conservation laws, representing our fundamental commitment to protecting our air, land, water and wildlife for future generations. But these laws can’t achieve these goals on their own and in a policy vacuum —we need our elected officials to act in the interest of the American public as they implement the core provisions of those laws. Today, the President and his administration stepped up and did just that.
“I applaud President Obama for taking such a strong stand to protect our nation’s streams and wetlands, vital for countless wildlife species and for so many Americans.”
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Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With more than 1.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit www.defenders.org.
Defenders of Wildlife is celebrating 75 years of protecting all native animals and plants in their natural communities. With a nationwide network of nearly 2.2 million members and activists, Defenders of Wildlife is a leading advocate for innovative solutions to safeguard our wildlife heritage for generations to come. For more information, visit defenders.org/newsroom and follow us on Twitter @Defenders.
