American Rivers

By Stacey Detwiler

In the spring, the Obama administration released a national Clean Water Framework to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding our nation’s rivers, lakes and streams for clean water and public health. To solidify this commitment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Army Corps of Engineers released draft guidance to clarify the scope of the Clean Water Act. This draft guidance restores protections to the small streams and wetlands that form our mighty rivers that have been put into question by two Supreme Court decisions by providing a consistent approach to determine what waters are protected from pollution and destruction under the Clean Water Act.

Here’s What You Can Do Right Now

Today, as protections for our rivers, lakes and streams are under attack in Congress, it is more important than ever to let the Obama administration know that you support clean water protections to keep your local waters safe enough to get your drinking water from and clean enough to fish and swim in. Tell @WhiteHouse to stand strong for clean water and to move forward to clarify the scope of the Clean Water Act.

Here are the people who need to hear from you:

• White House Administration or @WhiteHouse
• Environmental Protection Division  or @EPAgov
• Lisa Jackson EPA Administrator  or @LisaPJackson
• US Army Corps of Engineers  or @USACE_HQ

Facebook

Go to their Facebook page to post a message on their wall. Customize your message to them. Tell them why it’s important to you that they protect your clean water. Note—your comments may not be publicly displayed on their Facebook page, depending upon the privacy settings they put on it.

Suggested Posts

Here are some sample posts you can use:

• Restoring protections for our rivers, lakes and streams by clarifying the scope of the Clean Water Act is critical to the health of our nation’s rivers and the protection of our safe, clean drinking water supplies.
• Since the Clean Water Act went into effect nearly 40 years ago, the number of waters that are safe for swimming and fishing has doubled. Thanks for your commitment to restoring clean water protections.
• Protections for our rivers, lakes and streams are under attack in Congress. Stand strong for clean water.
• Clean water is the foundation of healthy communities and a healthy environment. Stand strong on clean water protections.
• Protect drinking water sources for 117 million Americans and stand strong on efforts to restore protections for small streams and wetlands under the Clean Water Act.
• Our waters should be safe enough for swimming and fishing and safe enough to get our drinking water supplies from. Stand strong on clean water and move forward with efforts to clarify the scope of the Clean Water Act.

Twitter

Click the links to tweet the White House and the EPA. Customize your message to them and tell them why it’s important to you that they protect your clean water.

• Clean water is a vital natural resource we need support #ProtectCleanWater http://nyti.ms/sNmzyW
• 117 million Americans whose drinking water is at risk are counting on @WhiteHouse & @EPAgov fight to #ProtectCleanWater
• Clean water is a vital natural resource we need @WhiteHouse @EPAgov to #ProtectCleanWater http://nyti.ms/rCotHy
• Clean water is the foundation of healthy communities & a healthy environment. @WhiteHouse & @EPAgov #ProtectCleanWater
• #CleanWaterAct is under assault from the biggest polluters around. @WhiteHouse, we’re with you to #ProtectCleanWater
• Big #Coal would rather not #ProtectCleanWater. Show the @WhiteHouse you care about clean drinking water for ALL. Pls RT!
• For nearly 40 years, @EPAgov has worked to restore and #ProtectCleanWater. Let’s keep it that way!
• Those who enjoy the Nation’s waters for recreation, fishing or hunting understand the value to #ProtectCleanWater

Help spread the word by sharing on Twitter and Facebook to protect your right to clean water today.

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