Trump Administration Moves to Undo Clean Water Protections
©Kent Mason
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2017
CONTACT: Angie Rosser, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, [email protected], 304-437-1274
Trump Administration Moves to Undo Clean Water Protections
Rule repeal puts sources that feed drinking water for 1 in 2 West Virginians at risk
Washington DC – Today the Trump Administration put the sources of drinking water for more than half of West Virginians at greater risk, along with the streams and wetlands that filter pollution and provide habitat for wildlife, by starting the process to repeal the Clean Water Rule.
The rule was in place to clarify protections for West Virginia’s vulnerable headwater streams under the Clean Water Act. Over half (54%) of West Virginians get their drinking water from sources that rely on small streams that were protected under this rule.
“This is a troubling day for water drinkers, river users, and wildlife in West Virginia,” said West Virginia Rivers Coalition Executive Director Angie Rosser. “Our state’s headwater streams supply the drinking water sources for millions of people; this rule was important for the health of our communities and everyone downstream.”
Rosser said that for more than a decade, many of our streams have been stuck in a legal limbo caused by two divided Supreme Court decisions, actions of the previous administration and inaction by Congress. The rule clarified that 8,390 miles of streams that feed into West Virginia’s drinking water sources were protected. Now those streams are put back at risk.
The Clean Water Act rule repeal announced today by the Trump Administration had been the subject of more than a million public comments, with 87 percent of those responding—including over 2,000 West Virginians, supporting the rule. Learn more.
WV Rivers’ Angie Rosser Named 2017 River Hero!
WV Rivers’ Executive Director Receives National Award
Join WV Rivers in congratulating our Executive Director, Angie Rosser, on receiving the 2017 River Hero Award from River Network!
River Network created the River Heroes Award in 2001 to recognize and celebrate people whose efforts to protect and restore their waters have been extraordinary in scope, scale, impact and heart. River Heroes are nominated by peers, selected by peers, and celebrated by their peers at River Network’s annual conference, River Rally.
Angie’s colleagues applaud and celebrate her selection as a River Hero. Paul Daizell of WV Environmental Council credits Angie for inspiring him to work for clean air and water. “I would not be doing the work I do without Angie’s leadership, passion, knowledge, and clear focus on protecting the rivers,” he said. “She truly is a River Hero.”
Hilary Harp Falk, a regional executive director for National Wildlife Federation, of which WV Rivers serves as the state affiliate, said, “Being a woman conservation leader is not easy. But in four short years Angie has become a leader for rivers in the state and across the country.”
Angie credits WV Rivers staff and volunteers for the award, and for the growing awareness of the need for safe water. “Angie brings a unique leadership style and inclusive attitude that proves very effective in building a strong coalition of supporters,” said Autumn Crowe, WV Rivers program director.
WV Rivers outreach manager Kathleen Tyner said she appreciates Angie’s inclusive approach: “Angie’s ability to bring folks from different paths and viewpoints together, for the betterment of our rivers and streams, is an inspiration to all who work with her.”
