logo

Protecting Texas Waterways: Clean Rivers, Lakes and Streams

What's New

On October 11, 2007, Environment Texas released Troubled Waters: An analysis of Clean Water Act compliance ,a new report showing that 53% of Texas facilities exceeded their Clean Water Act permits during 2005. Environment Texas used the report to call for passage of the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act (H.R. 2421). The bill, which has been introduced by Representatives John Dingell (D-MI), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), and James Oberstar (D-MN) would reaffirm the broad scope of Clean Water Act protections as originally intended by Congress.  In Texas, Representatives Lloyd Doggett, Charles Gonzalez, Eddie Bernice Johnson and Sheila Jackson Lee have co-sponsored the legislation.

How You Can Help

Contact your U.S. Representative and ask them to co-sponsor HR 1356, the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act.

Brief Summary

Texas waterways are an important part of our natural heritage, providing us with drinking water and places to swim and fish.

Over the last 30 years, we have made significant strides in cleaning up our water, but we still have important work to do. Today, many of our great waterways from the Brazos River to the Gulf of Mexico to the Colorado River are struggling from too much pollution.

Rather than improving water quality, the Bush administration has established a No Protection policy for America’s waters that removes basic protections of the Clean Water Act for the small streams, wetlands and ponds that nourish our great waters.

The Bush administration should drop this policy immediately and Congress should restore the original intent of the Clean Water Act to protect all waters in the U.S. More.

More Background:

Fact Sheet

blanco1.jpg