Trump Administration’s Budget Cuts Put Nation’s Clean Water at Risk
May 23, 2017
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC — Threats to the nation’s clean drinking water supplies are in the spotlight this week, as President Trump is proposing massive budget cuts to clean water and river restoration efforts.
President Trump’s budget proposal includes deep cuts to the Environmental Protection Agency, proposing to cut the agency by almost one third by slashing funding for vital environmental initiatives including EPA’s enforcement and compliance program for bedrock environmental laws.
The budget eliminates funding for regional restoration efforts, including the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and the Chesapeake Bay Program, each of which provide resources to states and communities trying to restore and protect the rivers that flow into these iconic waterways.
The budget also slashes funds for all National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration grants and programs supporting coastal and marine management, research, and education. These programs support river restoration, scientific research, and fisheries recovery which are essential to communities that care about their rivers.
The Trump Budget also virtually eliminates the popular Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) which allows the Interior Department and the Forest Service to expand access to public lands. Incredibly, the Trump Budget eliminates the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program at the Federal Emergency Management Agency which helps communities prepare for disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“In terms that President Trump will understand, his budget is a loser. The President’s budget proposal is an attack on our clean drinking water supplies and the rivers that are vital to the health, economy and quality of life of communities nationwide. Unfortunately, it is the
American people, and the rivers and clean water we treasure, that will pay the price if this budget is adopted by Congress.”“We need to take care of the rivers that take care of us. Congress has a responsibility to toss this reckless proposal and craft a budget that ensures communities get the clean water safeguards they need. Americans must call their Members of Congress and insist they reject the Trump Budget.”
“As the nation’s voice for rivers, American Rivers will continue to fight to safeguard the rivers and streams that connect us all, and to protect clean drinking water for American families and future generations.”
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.
