Repeal the Dirty Water Rule Before Our Clean Water is Gone
In 1972, amendments to the first major U.S. law to address water pollution - the Federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1948 - became known as the Clean Water Act (CWA). This law “established the basic structure for regulating pollutant discharges into the waters of the U.S.,” among other things. The result? Our rivers, streams, lakes and other waterways were protected, as was the water we live, work and play on.
Over the years, amendments and new laws have changed the CWA but the Dirty Water Rule, finalized in 2020, dramatically reduced these vital protections for our waters.
From Waterkeepers Carolina member Sound Rivers:
"The new “waters of the United States” definition takes away protections that have been in place for more than 40 years; protections that help keep our water clean, protect public health and reduce the risk of flooding. The rule removes protections for many wetlands that are vital to the safety of North Carolina's communities, as threats from flooding and severe storms worsen with climate change. At a time when our rivers are threatened from pollution and development, we need more protection, not less."
While the EPA and the Department of the Army have announced their intention to repeal the rule, it’s still in place during their rulemaking process, which could take years. We have to repeal the Dirty Water Rule and fully restore the CWA protections immediately to prevent further damage.
Here’s how other waterways in NC have been affected: