President’s Veto Protects Clean Drinking Water for Millions of Americans

(Washington, DC) American Rivers applauded President Obama today for continuing to lead on clean water and healthy rivers by vetoing the Congressional Resolution to disapprove the Clean Water Rule.

Polluters and their allies in Congress have tried to overturn the rule, which closes loopholes that left the drinking water sources of one in three Americans vulnerable to pollution.

“At a time when drought affects the supply of clean water for many communities across the country, and the city of Flint, Michigan is experiencing a drinking water crisis, it is critically important that we do all we can to protect our nation’s water supplies. Clean water is vital to life itself,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.

“As the nation’s leading advocate for protecting and restoring rivers, American Rivers applauds the Obama Administration for standing up for healthy rivers and clean drinking water,” said Irvin. “Protecting our clean water is an investment that will benefit the health of our families today, and will pay off for generations to come.”

The rule, written by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, clarifies which waters are, and which waters are not, protected by the Clean Water Act. It restores important safeguards for small streams and wetlands in order to better protect the nation’s drinking water, economy and environment. The rule is the result of extensive consultation with the public, local communities, state and federal agencies, businesses, farmers, fishermen, tribes and conservation groups, including American Rivers.

About American Rivers

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers, and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.