CALL TO ACTION: Public Comments on the Clean Water Rule

The EPA is seeking to repeal the Clean Water rule of 2015, which clarifies which streams and wetlands qualify for protection under the Clean Water Act. This proposed repeal threatens drinking water for 1 in 3 Americans as well as millions of acres of important habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife. 

Public comments must be submitted by September 27. Public comments have repeatedly been shown to be one of the most impactful actions an advocate can take.  Public comments slow down the roll back of regulation, buying us time, and provide fodder for lawsuits. Please take five minutes to speak up for clean water! Directions on how to comment and what to say below:

COMMENTS DUE BY SEPTEMBER 27, 2017 at 11PM EDT.  Please prepare your comment in a document where you can save it. Once it is complete, submit your comment HERE and please also email it to your Senators (contact info HERE) and to your representative (contact info HERE).

WHAT TO SAY:

Thank you for accepting comments on Docket Number EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0203 which would repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule. I write because I strongly oppose repeal of this rule.

Repeal of this rule would impact drinking water for 117 million Americans. Clean and safe drinking water is a basic human right. Unsafe drinking water can have wide-ranging health impacts, ranging from cancer to serious birth defects, and is simply not worth the risk. We ALL suffer when American communities do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.

Repeal of this rule would threaten habitat for wildlife by redefining "waters of the United States" to exclude wetlands, headwaters and some ponds. There are about 110 million acres of wetlands affected and 60% of US stream miles - all of which provide critical habitat for birds and wildlife. The outdoor recreation economy is worth $887 billion each year and repeal of this rule puts that industry at risk.

Repeal of this rule would put at risk millions of acres of wetlands. Healthy wetlands reduce the risk of flooding. The storms that we experienced this summer and the ongoing sea level rise drive home the importance of maintaining wetlands to absorb flood waters. Lives are literally at risk when we do not protect wetlands.

ADD YOUR PERSONAL STORY. FOR EXAMPLE:

• I LIVE NEAR A FLOOD ZONE AND RELY ON HEALTHY WETLANDS TO REDUCE MY PERSONAL RISK OF FLOODING. 
• AS A LOVER OF WILDLIFE or AS SOMEONE WHO FISHES, IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE MAINTAIN SAFE HABITAT TO PROTECT OUR BIODIVERSITY. 
• SHARE ANY HEALTH ISSUES YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER OR FRIEND HAVE THAT MIGHT BE IMPACTED BY LACK OF ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER 

TWEETS:

.@EPAScottPruitt Drinking water of 1 in 3 Americans depends on continued enforcement of WOTUS. #cleanwaterforall pic.twitter.com/ZGIgsRGhFM

.@EPAScottPruitt WOTUS rule protects 110 acres of critical habitat for birds, wildlife. Don't abandon clean water pic.twitter.com/XE6mvEbnvM

.@EPAScottPruitt As an American who drinks water, I demand that you continue to enforce 2015 Clean Water Rule! pic.twitter.com/zJYSji9Wm2

Public comments to protect clean water for 1 in 3 Americans, million of habitat DUE SEPT 27 http://bit.ly/2v9CIPe pic.twitter.com/Ooro7fX8Sp

PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE THESE PETITIONS:
Sierra Club
EarthJustice
American Rivers
Friends of the Earth
Teddy Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Environmental Action
Credo Action
Earthworks
National Park Action Fund
American Rivers