Texas' Waters: At Risk

Over the last 30 years, we have made significant strides in cleaning up our waters, but we still have important work to do. Today, many of Texas' 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 put in place a No Protection policy that eliminates basic Clean Water Act protections for small streams, wetlands and ponds that nourish these great waters.

The federal government should drop this policy immediately, and ensure that all waters in the U.S. are protected by the Clean Water Act.

No Protection Policy

Small streams and wetlands are the lifeblood of the state’s diverse water systems. These streams and wetlands feed and clean Texas' larger waterways by supplying water, filtering out pollutants, slowing flood waters and providing habitat for fish and other wildlife.

Taking Away Water Protections
In early 2003, the Bush administration established a policy that removes Clean Water Act protections from many small streams, wetlands and ponds.

As a result of this No Protection policy, thousands of miles of streams and millions of acres of wetlands are at risk from unlimited development, pollution and destruction.

The Bush administration’s own Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 20 million acres of wetlands, 20 percent of the wetlands in the continental U.S., could lose protection because of this policy.

More Pollution in Our Waters

Over 40 percent of the rivers and lakes in the state are too polluted for swimming and fishing. Treasured waters like the Brazos River, Caddo Lake, the Colorado River and the Gulf of Mexico face excessive pollution.

Maintaining and improving the water quality of these great rivers, lakes and other bodies of water depends on the health of the streams and wetlands that are the source waters. As small streams and wetlands are damaged or destroyed by the No Protection policy, the waters they feed also will be harmed.

Defending All of Texas' Waters 

We need to restore the health and integrity of Texas’ waterways. The federal government must take action now to ensure that all of Texas' waters continue to be protected by the Clean Water Act.

Environment Texas is calling on the federal government to:

• Immediately drop the No Protection policy.

• Fully enforce clean water laws.