House Votes to Undermine Clean Water Protections and Sporting Opportunities

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3-15_TRCPFrom TRCP:

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives took advantage of a rarely-used legislative process known as the Congressional Review Act to attempt to kill the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers’ Clean Water Rule, which clarifies Clean Water Act jurisdiction over headwater streams and wetlands. The Senate used the same expedited process to pass this joint resolution (S.J.Res.22) back in November 2015, so the bill now goes to the President, who has threatened to veto it. Sportsmen urge him to follow through on that threat.
“Once again, Congress has proven that they’re way out of touch with sportsmen on clean water,” says Whit Fosburgh, president and CEO of the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “Rather than sending trout and salmon spawning areas and waterfowl nesting habitat back into regulatory confusion, hunters and anglers want to see the Clean Water Rule implemented, so we can leave a legacy of healthy waterways for the next generation of sportsmen and women, while preserving existing assurances for farmers, ranchers, and foresters.”

By passing this resolution, lawmakers are disregarding the views of nearly 900,000 Americans, who were vocal in their support of the Clean Water Rule during the public comment period, and 83 percent of hunters and anglers polled, who said they want the Clean Water Act to protect smaller streams and wetlands.

Earlier this week, the TRCP sent Congress a letter opposing S.J. Res. 22 on behalf of eight hunting and fishing groups. The letter says “the Clean Water Rule will translate directly to an improved bottom line for America’s outdoor industry,” which, in the sportfishing sector alone, accounts for 828,000 jobs, nearly $50 billion in annual retail sales, and an economic impact of about $115 billion a year.

Learn more about the Clean Water Rule here.

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1 Comment

  1. WHAT THE $%^$&^* . . . Oh what’s the use, I really, really, really feel like letting out all the anger and rage that has got my blood pressure at deadly levels – 210 over 102 – but I’m about to go into shock. I will go to bed in couple hours and hope that there will be (overnight) a large Capital D.C. Alien Abduction of ALL these INSANE, self-rightsious, corrupt-to-the-bone politicians and the billionaires that have bought them ! But, in another 2 months, if lucky to see 65, I will “prey” to the CHILDREN of the World, to some day rise above all the insanity, and take back Common Sense and Common Good, and what ever is left of Humanity worth saving ! I have done my share, as a pee-on (figuratively), to Conserve and nurture nature as best I could – fly fishing has sought me that – but now I just . . . well I’m tired that’s all. God bless the CHILDREN, may they weather the storm ahead and come through the other side smelling like a rose !

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