Waters Advocacy Coalition

For nearly 40 years, the Clean Water Act has been responsible for extraordinary advances in improving the health of the nation’s surface waters and watersheds. This commonsense law – which has helped create strong federal-state working partnerships – continues to improve America’s water quality and our environment.

The Clean Water Act provides the federal government broad authority to regulate “navigable waters,” a term which the Supreme Court has already recognized as meaning waters beyond where navigation actually occurs.  However, Congress is considering legislation to change the Clean Water Act called the Clean Water Restoration Act (CWRA)/America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act (ACCWA).

The CWRA/ACCWA could undermine the federal-state partnership created by the Clean Water Act, giving the federal government authority over all waters of the United States.

Many are concerned that this legislation could:

Expand the Federal Government While Hampering Local Decision Making

Impact the U.S. Economy and Jobs

Create Further Permitting Delays and Litigation; Increasing the Costs of Improving the Nation’s Infrastructure

Burden Farmers and Ranchers by Limiting Their Ability to Efficiently Produce Food, Fiber and Fuel

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