S. 787 Offers Clarifications Critical to Clean Water
Baltimore– Environment Maryland praised the Senate Environment and Public Works committee, including Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD), for yesterday’s 12-7 vote for passage of the Clean Water Restoration Act (S. 787).
“Sen. Cardin and the rest of the committee took a great step forward for the Chesapeake Bay and the precious wetlands that help reduce pollution,” said Environment Maryland State Director Brad Heavner.
S. 787 would help protect small bodies of water that serve complex and vital functions to our ecosystem. The wetlands that were initially protected under the original 1972 Clean Water act can hold up to 1.5 million gallons of floodwater; an invaluable safety feature that protects local communities and saves the government millions in disaster recovery funds. An amendment offered by Senators Baucus (D-MT) and Klobuchar (D-MN) that maintained exemptions for prior-converted cropland and waste ponds was accepted by the committee, but all other amendments were rejected in committee.
“This bill is essential to ensure the struggling Chesapeake Bay isn’t further stressed,” said Heavner. “Wetlands have been in legal limbo for too long, and we urge the full Senate to do what’s right for clean water,” he concluded.
