The Clean Water Act at

Rea l Pe ats ople l Thre , Real Successes, Rea Photo by John D. Wilson Photo by John D. Photo by Jamie Goodman Photo: Eric Engbretson, U.S. Photo: Eric Engbretson, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo by Rich Stevens

multitude of ways that the Clean Water Act has improved Some of the successes of the Clean the quality of life for ordinary Americans, from provid- Water Act in the past 40 years ing entrepreneurs with opportunities to start businesses • The number of Americans receiving clean to ensuring that thousands of communities have access drinking water has increased from 79 percent in Appalachian Voices file photo Appalachian Voices 1993 to 92 percent in 2007 to clean and safe drinking water. 1 As encouraging as this kind of progress is, howev- • More than 2,000 water bodies identified as impaired in 2002 now meet water quality stan- er, America is a long way from fulfilling the goals and dards2 promise of the Clean Water Act. The original goals set by Congress were to rapidly phase out “discharge of • 60 percent more Americans were served by publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities toxic pollutants in toxic amounts" and thereby elimi- in 2008 than in 1968 nate most water pollution by 1985. Today, 27 years af- 3. ter the initial target date, we’re nowhere near achiev- ing that goal. In fact, an investigative report by the New York Times in 2009 not only found that the Clean Water support for clean water protections over the past 40 years Act had been violated more than 506,000 times between than the Southeast. All but one of the 65 representatives 2004 and 2007, but that the annual number of violations from southeastern states voted to support the Clean Wa- 4 had actually increased by 16 percent over that time . ter Act in 1972, but in the last two years, representatives While the Cuyahoga River no longer catches on fire of these states have voted in favor of weakening clean and Lake Erie is no longer considered “dead,”5 as was the water laws 75 percent of the time. Among the eight states case before the Clean examined in this report, ’s delegation was the Water Act was passed most hostile to clean water laws, voting in favor of weak- The Clean Water Act into law, the EPA still ening them 87 percent of the time. Making a Difference for Real People For Over 40 Years estimates that 850 bil- This report describes in detail the 112th Congress’s lion gallons of sewage unprecedented assault on clean water laws and the sup- are discharged into ike King grew up in Kanawha County, West Today, the water in Morris Creek is improving, fish port for that agenda among the delegations of eight streams every year6, and Virginia, in the heart of coal country, where and other aquatic animals are making a comeback, and southeastern states. The purpose is not to berate those that more than 40 per- miners and their families lived in dust-cov- King says the stream cleanup projects in his community members of Congress, but to remind them of the real cent of U.S. streams are Mered coal camps and local waterways such as Morris are setting an example that is "helping others to under- difference that the Clean Water Act is making in the still considered in poor lives of their constituents. From oyster farms in Virginia Creek in Montgomery were fouled by pollution. stand stewardship and how to take care of their own prop- 7 biological condition . Beach to dairy farms in the Carolinas, the Clean Water "The few times we had fish try to come up the river, erty." A hand covered in polluted sludge from the Cuyahoga River prior to 1972. A fire on that river Despite the clear Act is creating jobs and business opportunities, restoring their gills would actually fall off due to the high acidity of Thousands of similar stories could be told about how ultimately lead to the creation of the Clean Water Act. Photo courtesy of the Cleveland Plain Dealer evidence of the need fish and duck populations and ensuring that more and the water," he recalls. "The water was orange and white, the Clean Water Act has made a real difference in the lives to strengthen efforts to more Americans enjoy the fundamental right of access with a horrible smell of rotten eggs." of Americans over the 40 years since it was signed into law. clean up our streams, the Clean Water Act and other laws to clean and safe water. King's description of Morris Creek a decade ago is Amid the atmosphere of partisan rancor and in- that protect America’s waters are facing an unprecedented As former Congressman James Oberstar said in a re- in stark contrast to the condition of the creek today. The flammatory rhetoric that surrounds any debate about assault in Congress. During the 112th Congress alone, 38 cent interview, “NASA has spent billions over the years listing of the creek in 1996 as "impaired" under the Clean environmental laws and regulations today, the 40th an- bills were introduced and passed in the House of Repre- sending men to the moon and on dozens of other space Water Act didn't just trigger more stringent limits on niversary of the Clean Water Act provides an occasion sentatives to weaken clean water laws or to undermine the missions, and very often the thing they most wanted to pollution discharges in the watershed, it also provided to recall the strong bipartisan commitment this nation ability of federal agencies to enforce them. Fortunately, discover on these missions was fresh water. That should the opportunity for King and others in the community once made to restore and maintain the "chemical, physi- most were not introduced or passed in the Senate. tell us what we need to know about protecting the fresh to initiate a number of projects to improve water quality cal and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters" four No part of the country has seen a greater erosion of water we have here on earth.” with federal matching funds. decades ago. It also presents an occasion to look at the Photo by Matt Wasson W against corporate powerful interests. Senate,the adrastic tone set by pitting environmental concerns The House budget thoughlater bill, amended and improved by have an “unacceptable adverse effect” on water, fishwildlife. or and waterways inFlorida, and control discharges that would Appalachia, implement acleanup plan for Chesapeake Bay the oversight of mountaintop removal mining operations coal in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to conduct meaningful into law, riderswould these have eliminated funding for the of ridersto budget the 1.While bill, none H.R. were signed control of its water resources and envi- bill attempted to undermine California’s ing many aquatic ecosystems. Another invasive are species increasingly infest- waterballast 2838),eventhough (H.R. states from regulating discharge the of 872).Another(H.R. bill would block ability to regulate pollution pesticide House attempted to remove EPA’s the water protections followed. soon The just past the two years. WaterClean Act and other laws protecting water resources in U.S.the House of Representatives voted to 38times weaken the cording to House the Committee onand Energy Commerce, Dirty Politics andthe Clean Water Act More bills aimed at weakening clean The first round of anti-clean water votes were the in form ed assaulted on our nation’s clean water laws. Ac - 2011, it marked of beginning the an unprecedent- Congresshen 112th the convened on January 3,

Appaalchian Water Watch photo

StarNews file photo the mostthe protective for public and health environment. the least the costly alternativechoose rather arule, than inselecting to adopting clean water regulations and required EPAthe to countability to create Act 3010),tried (H.R. significant hurdles it within 70 legislative days 10). TheRegulatory (H.R. Ac- makings by EPA the houses unlessboth of Congress approve protect waters. those Another bill would block any major- rule prevented EPA the from everproposing to specifically arule streamscertain and wetlands underWater Clean the Act, and would prevent Army the of Engineers Corps from protecting sions of Congress. Two of measures 2354and these 5325) (H.R. ability to enforce clean water laws during enacted previous- ses to perpetuate misleading the notion that environmental protec- itat to harm and opening up water rights to highest the bidders. ronmental protections salmon hab critical 1837),exposing - (H.R. Some of by bills the passed House the were simply designed by bills passed Other House the attempted to EPA’s stymie An Overview of the112thCongress on federal-state partnership inper framework for water permitting based on businesses 527). small (H.R. have an impact, no matter how indirect, forses proposed all EPA that rules could Another bill required additional analy- vironment 4078). (H.R. passed could be percent, no regulation to protect en- the less unemployment dropped below six tions cost jobs.statedOne act that, un- The CleanThe Water createdAct a - Clean Water Act Oversight ofthe Eliminating EPA H.R. 2018: H.R. enough tractiontopasstheHouseofRepresentatives. have bills become these law, of but we none should that all be fortunate alarmed that are they gained Americans from Mercury Protect OurWater That Would Delaying Rules Needlessly H.R. 2401: H.R. Biggest Clean Water Threats in the112th Congress tors control who purse the strings of state agencies. able to greater exert influence over state regulators and- legisla in a“race to bottom,” the as connected politically polluters are WaterClean Act, suggests history that states engage soon will playingthroughout field the nation. water quality standards, federal law the while provides alevel requiredpermits by Water Clean the Act and most set specific stormwater treatment systems. The states issue and monitor matching grants governments to local to build wastewater and its, and provides and technical financial assistance, including through EPA, the establishes guidelines, objectives and lim- mitting and enforcement The activities. government,federal of childrenandpregnantwomenexposedtotoxicmercury. gency room visits every year — all while reducing the number emer and hospital 5,700 and attacks asthma 130,000 tacks, parency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act Nation the on Impacts of Analysis Regulatory in parency Transthe - 2401, H.R. introduced (R-OK) Sullivan John Rep. health andwaterquality.” federal legislation by preventing EPA from protecting public of years 40 almost “overturn would bill the agency, the to According life. aquatic or health human protect to sufficient the introduced Committee, Infrastructure and portation In May 2011, Rep. John Mica (R-FL), chairman of the Trans- If government federal the cannot enforce and support the

ual state concurs, even if the standard is in- is standard the if even concurs, state ual individ- an unless ones new issuing or dards stan- quality water state weak revising from EPAthe prevent to designed Act. was 2018 H.R. Federalism Cooperative Water Clean to 11,000 premature deaths, 5,000 heart at heart 5,000 deaths, premature 11,000 to up prevent that safeguards two Standards, Pollution Rule and the Mercury and Air Toxic Air EPA’s Cross-State of delay indefinite the for allowed also It safeguards. health public EPA several of benefits, the the not but of costs, analyses duplicative for called Act TRAIN The 2011. of fall the in Act) (TRAIN - - gress voted to: most importantprotectionsavailableunderthemininglaw. area as unsuitable for surface coal mining, which is one of the an designate to ability agency’s the eliminated even bill The ton. one by mining for available coal of amount the reduce dollar,or one as much as by mining coal from received taxes reduce job, one as much as by employment mine coal reduce would that Act Reclamation and Control Mining Surface the under regulation proposed any issuing from Enforcement and Reclamation Mining, Surface of Office the prohibit also would bill The addition. an as well as above, noted bills the all of repackaging a is (R-OH) son The “Stop the War on Coal” bill, sponsored by Rep. Bill John- dumps nationwide. EPA from finalizing rules to regulate over 1,000 aging coal ash prevent permanently also would bill The landfills. and ponds up cleaning ash coal ash dumps, unstable and leaking closing or sites, contaminated coal unsafe fixing as such sures mea- health-protective avoid to units fired coal- allow would and ash coal manage to states for program unenforceable an ates cre- law The 2008. in Tenn., Kingston, in Tennesseea at failed Valleyplant Authority that one the like dams unsafe in coal, ing burn- from generated waste the ash, coal ensure would that utilities can continue disposing of toxic (R-WV), McKinley David Rep. by sponsored Act, Accessibility Residuals Combustion Coal Recycling The ≈ ≈ ≈ ≈ In total, Housethe of Representatives- Con in 112th the Strip EPA of its authority under the Clean Water Act Block the EPA from using the Clean Water Act to Deny EPA funding to protect wetlands and Eliminate EPA’s authority to veto “dredge and fill” and streams. regulate the discharge of pesticides into rivers, lakes, tributaries that flow into navigable waters; and activities; permits for mountaintop removal mines and other discharge limits in states that fail to implement the law; to set water quality standards or enforce pollutant Toxic CoalAsh Guidelines on Science-Based EPA fromIssuing Congress Prevents 2273: H.R. on Water Declares War Congress 3409: H.R. V Virginia Act by Virginia's representatives in 1972. trast to the unanimous support for the Clean Water time during the 112th Congress. Thisis in stark con- weaken clean water protections 65percent of the collectively voted in favor of federal bills that would mirrored by Virginia's members of Congress who tection shown by state legislators has largely been mines. strip decisions involving pollution discharges from coal quality testing to make permitting and enforcement limits the ability of state regulators to water use surface coal mines. Recently enacted legislation health and the environment from pollution from ability under the Clean Water Act to protect public 2011 voted to dramatically restrict the agency's impaired rivers and streams, state legislators in successful than neighboring states at cleaning up streams and rivers have been cleaned up. dissolved oxygen. About five percent of impaired impairment are high levels of E.coli, mercury and more criteria. The most common causes of stream with two-thirds found to be impaired for one or streams have been assessed by the state in 2010, and reservoirs. Just over one-third of the rivers and The support for bills to weaken clean water pro- While Virginia's water division has been more rivers and streams and 150,000acres of lakes irginia home is to more than 50,000miles of Votes AgainstCleanWater dramatically weakeningcleanwaterprotections. remove theEPA’s authoritytoenforcetheClean Water Act, potential delaysforsafeguardsuptosixyears. several standardssuchastheEPA’s mercuryrule,causing tive interagencypaneltostudytheeconomicimpactsof H.R. 2018 H.R. 2273 H.R. 2401 H.R. 3409 H.R. weaken cleanwaterlawsinthe112thCongress. Percentage of representatives from Virginia that votedto removal coalminingimpacts. Mining rulethatwouldprotectstreamsfrommountaintop three billsplusaprovisiontopreventanOfficeofSurface disposal infavorofanon-enforceablestateprogram. ment ActwouldstoptheEPA’s abilitytoregulatecoalash 112th Congress water inthe AGAINST clean representatives of votesbyVirginia Overall percentage SCORE: ...... SCORE: ...... SCORE: ...... SCORE:...... —TheWar onCoalActincludesthefollowing — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Manage- — The TRAIN Act would create a duplica- — The Clean Water Federalism Act would

65 64% 64% 45% 45%

% H paired waters. designated theLynnhaven, Linkhorn andBroadriversasim- growing city, theVirginiaDepartmentofEnvironmentalQuality sewage and stormwater management systems in the rapidly bottom offmydockisaboutsixfeetdeep.” Now fall,winterandspring,it'sveryclearyoucanseethe tices in place. The water was cloudy and murky all year round. city inthecountryand…therewerenobestmanagementprac- years ago:“Backthen,VirginiaBeachwasthefastestgrowing over-harvesting andexcesswaterpollution. once-famous oysters.Thesethreatsincludedlossofhabitat, water intheestuarywasfilteredeveryfewdays. once housedsuchaimmensepopulationofoystersthatallthe Bay inMarylandandVirginia,whichLynnhaven Riverflowsinto, one ofnature’sbestwaterfiltrationsystems.TheChesapeake of as little more than a delicacy to dine on, oysters also serve as that they were coveted by royalty. But while they may be thought hood dependsonit. of Lynnhaven OysterCompanyinVirginiaBeach,Va., hisliveli- erosion andrunoff afterheavyrains.Sew- ed inproviding long-termprotectionfrom belongs. Lynnhaven RiverNOW, towhichChalmers Corps ofEngineersandthe localgroup the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Army volved intheplan,includingVirginiaBeach, Lynnhaven. Many stakeholders were in- to limitpollutionandrestorethehealthof implemented a“Total MaximumDailyLoad”plan Business = Good Water Clean In 1998,duetohighfecalcoliformbacterialevelsfromfaulty Chalmers recallswhenhebeganhisoysterbusinessten A numberofenvironmentalthreatscutshortthereignthese The oystersfromLynnhaven Riverwereoncesorenowned Improved shorelinebufferzones assist CleanWaterWith Actfunding,theVirginiaDEQdevelopedand clean waterbetterthanmost.Astheowner ap Chalmers understandsthe importance of cleaner Chesapeake Bay direct benefits of a An oysterman sees

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Courtesy of Lynnhaven Oyster Company More than1,450acresnowmeetwaterqualitystandardsto en- was removed from the Clean Water Act’s list of impaired waters. The sameforotheroystermen,too,”Chalmerssays. gallons ofwaterperweek. of oysterstheyplantedthisyearwillfiltermorethanonebillion efits thelocaleconomybuthealthofbay. Themillions filtration. were createdtohelpthebivalvesdowhattheybest—water destructive impacts of extreme weather events. And oyster reefs age pumpstationsweremodifiedwithgeneratorstoalleviatethe These effortsculminatedin2010,whentheLynnhaven River “The betterwedoinourbusiness,thecleanerwatergets. Chalmers’ business,whichherunswithhisson,notonlyben- cal coliformbacterialevelsintheLynnhaven River. agement systems in Virginia Beach caused high fe- Result: Solution: Problem: allow forcommercialshellfishing. ated forwaterfiltration. cre- were reefs Oyster weather. severe of case in operating them keep to stations pump sewage on fitted were Generators runoff. and erosion leviated sure safeconsumptionofshellfish,themostsince Army Corpsandthecitizens. It’s amazing.” eryone is for it — the city, the government, the Bacteria levels were reduced enough to gether, with nobody fighting the progress, ev- says, “Becausethecommunity haspulledto- working ontheLynnhaven River, Chalmers 1931, accordingtoLynnhaven RiverNOW. Improved shoreline buffer zones al- zones buffer shoreline Improved Expressing hisgratitudeforlivingand Faulty sewage and stormwater man- VIRGINIA

West Virginia Rescuing Morris Creek Saving a West est Virginia is home to more than W32,000 miles of streams and Virginia waterway rivers and more than 22,000 acres from coal mining of lakes and reservoirs. In 2010, less pollution than 60 percent of those streams and rivers were rigorously range and sometimes “Owhite, depending on assessed; of those, nearly two- what the coal company was thirds were impaired. Fre- doing, with a horrible smell of quent causes of impairment rotten eggs.” That’s how Mike King describes the pollution that are fecal coliform bacteria, Votes Against plagued Morris Creek. Problem: Acid mine drainage from

metals such as iron, manganese, All photos courtesy of Morris Association Creek Watershed Clean Water King grew up next to the creek abandoned and poorly reclaimed mines selenium and aluminum, and in a dust-covered Kanawha leached into the once-vibrant, biodiverse Percentage of representatives from County coal camp, where min- Morris Creek. high acidity. Less than one percent of West Virginia that voted to weaken ers lived with their families to be from the WVDEP and U.S. Environ- impaired rivers and streams have been clean water laws in the 112th Congress. close to their work. His family Solution: Channels lined with limestone mental Protection Agency’s Aban- restored to state water quality standards has lived in the area since his were constructed to prevent toxic acid mine doned Mine Lands program. H.R. 3409 — The War on Coal Act includes the following grandfather immigrated here drainage from entering the creek. The most common way of treat- The state water permitting program has three bills plus a provision to prevent an Office of Surface Min- from Russia in 1913. Now, his ing acid mine drainage is by cre- ing rule that would protect streams from mountaintop removal A significantly reduced amount been widely criticized as ineffective and public son lives in the house that his Result: ating a natural wastewater system of heavy metals entering the creek, leading interest groups have petitioned the U.S. Envi- coal mining impacts. grandfather once inhabited. with holding ponds and limestone SCORE:...... to the return of aquatic life. ronmental Protection Agency to take over the 100% Running through the town of channels to absorb heavy metals Montgomery, Morris Creek was before they reach the creek. Two — The TRAIN Act would create a duplicative in- state's program. An investigation by the New H.R. 2401 once a vibrant waterway that sup- large drainage channels lined with York Times reported that six former and cur- teragency panel to study the economic impacts of several stan- ported a wide array of creatures such as lizards, minnows and limestone were built along upper Morris Creek to prevent the rent state environmental department employees dards such as the EPA’s mercury rule, causing potential delays crawfish. At least, it was vibrant, until acid mine drainage from most toxic seeps of acid mine drainage from ever entering the for safeguards for up to six years. abandoned underground mines and poorly reclaimed surface stream. complained that their enforcement efforts had SCORE: ...... 100% mines contaminated the creek with heavy metals including iron, The project took almost four years to complete, but water qual- been “undermined by bureaucratic disorganiza- aluminum and manganese. ity began to immediately improve, and the water tested well below tion, a departmental preference to let polluters H.R. 2273 — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Under the Clean Water Act, the West Virginia Department of the state’s pollution limits for optimal stream health. Today in Mor- escape punishment if they promise to try harder, Act would stop the EPA’s ability to regulate coal ash disposal in Environmental Protection listed the creek as severely impaired ris Creek, trout and other aquatic life are making a comeback. favor of a non-enforceable state program. in 1996. An analysis of pollutants in the creek revealed that the and a revolving door of regulators who leave for The health of Morris Creek remains a work in progress. Ad- SCORE: ...... 100% heavy metals needed to be reduced by 1,000 pounds a year. ditional projects to benefit the creek have received federal higher-paying jobs at the companies they once Along Morris Creek alone, there are several locations where acid grant money to reduce sediment entering the creek and stabi- policed." H.R. 2018 — The Clean Water Federalism Act would remove mine drainage was leaking into the creek. lize stream banks. Also on the list is the installation of a hydro- the EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act, dramatically “In the few times we had fish that would try to come up the river, turbine on one of the acid mine drainage discharge pipes that Support for clean water laws by the state's weakening clean water protections. their gills would actually fall off due to the ... high acidity of the wa- could generate 1,300 watts of electricity to power the water congressional delegation has declined precipi- SCORE: ...... 100% ter,” King says. “So for years ... we had no fish at all in the stream.” monitoring equipment. tously since 1972, when all five representatives Not much was being done to restore the health of the creek The success of the project reaches far beyond reducing pollu- tion discharged. “There’s the satisfaction of getting things done, voted in favor of the Clean Water Act. Today, Overall percentage of until 2002, when King and the Morris Creek Watershed Asso- ciation approached the federal Office of Surface Mining and taking a creek from where it's orange and completely dead to sup- the delegation has among the worst voting re- votes by West Virginia WVDEP about implementing projects to reduce the amount of porting life,” King says. “You are also providing a better opportu- cords on clean water laws in Congress, support- representatives pollution entering the creek. nity for our future generations to enjoy recreation in an area that previously hadn’t had that. Lastly, it helps others to understand ing measures to weaken clean water protections AGAINST clean Due to Morris Creek’s listing under the Clean Water Act, the stewardship and how to take care of their own property.” 85 percent of the time. water in the % Morris Creek Watershed Association was eligible for grants 112th Congress 85

Kentucky Lack of Clean Water Stinks Fixing faulty septic systems cleans up a Kentucky waterway lark County in central Ken- Ctucky is known for its roll-

ing hills, fertile soil and thor- Alliance Waterways Courtesy of Kentucky oughbred horses. Snaking 25 miles through the county is Votes Against Clean Water Strodes Creek, a headwater collected in his front yard. stream of the South Fork of the Through the Clean Water entucky has nearly 50,000 miles of rivers Percentage of representatives from Kentucky that voted to Licking River. Act’s Nonpoint Source Pollu- and streams and almost 230,000 acres of weaken clean water laws in the 112th Congress. K Threats to water quality in tion Program, Jones received a brand-new septic system, lakes and reservoirs. As of 2010, just 22 percent H.R. 3409 — The War on Coal Act includes the following the creek were pervasive —­ silt, properly installed on flat of rivers and streams had been assessed by state three bills plus a provision to prevent an Office of Surface Min- bacteria and oxygen-depriving ground. Three of his neigh- officials, with two-thirds found to be impaired by ing rule that would protect streams from mountaintop removal nutrients had the potential to render it unsuitable for aquatic bors also received a full sep- coal mining impacts. one or more pollutants. The most frequent causes life. The source of this pollution tic system upgrade. In all, 86 SCORE:...... of stream impairment are sediment, fecal coliform 83% mostly stemmed from poor ag- septic systems in the Strodes ricultural practices and failing Courtesy of Hal Lee Creek watershed either re- bacteria and nutrients that can cause eutrophica- — The TRAIN Act would create a duplicative in- H.R. 2401 septic tanks. ceived minor repairs or were tion and specific conductivity. teragency panel to study the economic impacts of several stan- fully upgraded. John Jones had one of those failing septic tanks. Although he dards such as the EPA’s mercury rule, causing potential delays spent the majority of his career meeting complex demands as “Hats off to the people in charge of this project because they Kentucky's water quality program has been for safeguards for up to six years. an explosives operator for a U.S. Army weapons storage facility, realized people were having some severe problems and were harshly criticized by newspapers in the state for SCORE: ...... 80% nothing could have prepared him for the issues he faced back able to correct it,” Jones says, perhaps remembering the pool its "cozy relationship with the coal industry," and home. of sewage that would collect near his home. H.R. 2273 — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management ineffective enforcement program, as evidenced by “For over 20 years there were times you couldn’t take a show- Shandra Cecil, the director of the Strodes Creek Conservan- Act would stop the EPA’s ability to regulate coal ash disposal in er or flush the toilet because there just wasn’t anywhere for the cy, explains how an assortment of minor projects like the ones the fact that only nine of the nearly 7,000 miles of favor of a non-enforceable state program. water to go,” Jones explains. in Jones’ community benefit the overall health of the watershed. rivers and streams listed as impaired have been SCORE: ...... 83% Because his septic tank was improperly installed on a hill, “All of the small nonpoint source issues, when put together, restored to state water quality standards. The Lex- can really do damage to the creek,” she says. “But regardless H.R. 2018 — The Clean Water Federalism Act would remove it routinely filled with rainwater and overflowed during heavy ington Herald-Leader wrote in reaction to a law- storms. Each time this occurred, an unwelcome pool of sewage of how small, eventually [projects] will start creating cumulative the EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act, dramatically suit filed against coal companies for Clean Water benefits.” The conservancy has implemented a number of proj- weakening clean water protections. ects including planting trees, controlling agricultural pollution, Act violations in 2011, "state regulators had been SCORE: ...... 67% repairing septic tanks and restoring streams. asleep at the wheel for years," to the extent that, Problem: In the Strodes Creek watershed, failing Nitrate and phosphorus pollution were reduced collectively "the state had no way of knowing whether the Overall percentage septic systems and agricultural practices contributed by 4,000 pounds per year, and silt contamination was reduced by eight tons each year. From a significant reduction in pol- coal companies had violated their water pollution of votes by Kentucky to increased nutrient levels and sediment which low- ered oxygen levels. lutants of Strodes Creek to peace of mind for homeowners permits." representatives like Jones, this watershed project has had impressive results In 1972, Kentucky's congressional delegation AGAINST clean Solution: Failed residential septic tanks were re- across the board. placed or upgraded and agricultural best practices voted unanimously to enact the Clean Water Act, water in the 112th % “There is reduced algae and the odor from the creek has Congress were put in place. subsided,” Cecil says. “We had a landowner call our mayor but during the 112th Congress, 73 percent of votes 73 and say they’re not sure what we’re doing, but that they are Significantly reduced nutrient levels and by Kentucky's representatives impacting clean Result: enjoying the creek more.” increased oxygen levels in Strodes Creek. water laws favored weakening protections. NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Four Projects for Fourth Creek A horse-owning couple helps clean up an impaired stream

ob and Jill Kinser claim they have the best well wa- ter around, and they’re quick to offer a glass to any- B Erosion from agricultural activities one to prove it. In fact, the only thing more apparent Problem: from livestock pastures near Fourth Creek led to in- than the Kinsers' hospitality is their hardworking nature. creased fecal coliform bacteria and unclear water. orth Carolina is home to almost 40,000 Looking for a place in the country where they could keep miles of rivers and streams and more horses, the Kinsers moved to their current Statesville home, Solution: Landowners installed fencing to limit N in the western Piedmont region of North Carolina, in 1986. livestock access to stream banks, animal watering than 300,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs. Their 23-acre property runs along Fourth Creek. facilities, and composters to reduce waste going About one-third of the rivers and streams Votes Against Clean Water In 1998, the North Carolina Division of Water Quality des- into the stream. have been assessed by the state, with more ignated almost 24 miles of the creek as impaired due to the Percentage of representatives from North Carolina that voted to Result: The river has cleared up, and bacteria than 30 percent of those found to be impaired presence of fecal coliform bacteria and visual turbidity, or weaken clean water laws in the 112th Congress. murky water, a sign of pollution. levels have lowered to a level that meets water qual- for one or more criteria. The most common ity standards. One section of Fourth Creek has been When the Kinsers became aware of H.R. 3409 — The War on Coal Act includes the following completely removed from the impaired list while causes of stream impairment are high levels the problem, they decided to take action three bills plus a provision to prevent an Office of Surface Min- other sections have been partially delisted. of turbidity, mercury and E. coli. ing rule that would protect streams from mountaintop removal to ensure they had clean water for their coal mining impacts. horses and met with the Iredell County Just one to two percent of impaired Soil and Water Conservation district. Us- SCORE:...... streams and rivers have been cleaned up in 62% ing Clean Water Act funding, the county was able to cover 75 percent of the cost North Carolina. The ability of the state to H.R. 2401 — The TRAIN Act would create a duplicative in- for projects to improve water quality, while teragency panel to study the economic impacts of several stan- make substantial further progress is question- the Kinsers made up the difference. dards such as the EPA’s mercury rule, causing potential delays able following the enactment of Senate Bill The Kinsers’ first project involved in- for safeguards for up to six years. 781 by the General Assembly in 2011, which stalling two watering units that prevent SCORE: ...... 50% cut the Clean Water Management Trust Fund debris contamination and regulate water temperature. Next, they built fencing to by nearly 90 percent and conservation funding H.R. 2273 — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management

keep their horses from getting into Fourth Creek and its tribu- Photos courtesy of Bob and Jill Kinser by 85 percent. The bill also forbade the state Act would stop the EPA’s ability to regulate coal ash disposal in tary, mitigating the animals’ potential to contribute to the creek’s favor of a non-enforceable state program. from enacting protections that are stronger contamination. consistent success, she speaks proudly of her husband’s tire- SCORE: ...... 55% than minimum federal standards. Additional projects allowed the Kinsers to continue reducing less work as he humbly nods and smiles. “He did the work in their environmental impact. They built more fencing and a trail every case, every project. He built that composter. He leveled H.R. 2018 — The Clean Water Federalism Act would remove During the 112th Congress, U.S. repre- for their horses to prevent runoff from flowing from the horse cor- every pound of gravel, ran all the water lines, and built the entire the EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act, dramatically rals into the creeks. And they constructed a four-bin composter fence. He’s part engineer, part old farm boy,” she says. sentatives from North Carolina voted against weakening clean water protections. to contain the waste their six horses produce every day, which While the funding provided the professional blueprints and ma- bills that weakened clean water protections SCORE: ...... 54% they now use for fertilizer. terials to complete the projects, it was their own hard labor that more often than legislators from any other Using the same basic arrangement, the Kinsers completed helped the Kinsers realize their goals. Their hard work also paid southeastern state. Still, more than half of Overall percentage of four water-quality improvement projects on their land from 2005 off for the health of Fourth Creek, as segments of the creek are no their votes were in favor of weaking protec- to 2008. Today, the goal-oriented couple continues to find the longer considered impaired for turbidity and fecal coliform. votes by North Carolina balance between personal livelihood and environmental stew- tions. In contrast, North Carolina's repre- representatives Bob Kinser offers a simple summary of his experience: “It re- ardship. ally makes life a lot easier, to get around and do what needs to sentatives voted unanimously in favor of the AGAINST clean water When Jill Kinser reflects on their busy years, hard work and be done: our chores. There’s just no downside to any of it.” Clean Water Act in 1972. in the 112th Congress 58%

Tennessee Good, Courtesy of Rebecca Sudduth Clean FUN Two river guides know the economic benefit of clean water

rym Griswold and John Shores, Gbetter known as Uncle Johnny, are the main force behind Uncle Johnny’s Nolichucky Hostel and Outfitters in Erwin, Tenn. They see ennessee is home to more than 60,000 Votes Against Clean Water the Nolichucky River as an old friend, one that they’re happy to in- miles of rivers and streams and almost T Percentage of representatives from Tennessee that voted to troduce to everyone they meet. 600,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs. As of weaken clean water laws in the 112th Congress.

When Shores, an avid kayaker, Courtesy of Uncle Johnny's Hostel 2010, half of the state's rivers and streams H.R. 3409 — The War on Coal Act includes the following opened the doors of his hostel for three bills plus a provision to prevent an Office of Surface Min- Appalachian Trail hikers in 1998, he Problem: Impaired portions of the had been assessed by state officials, about 40 to protect heavy use areas, in- ing rule that would protect streams from mountaintop removal recognized that his location next to Nolichucky River from agricultural runoff the Nolichucky gave him an oppor- stalling fencing and alternative percent of which were found to be impaired coal mining impacts. threatened water quality and the local tunity to serve a greater population watering facilities to prevent live- based on one or more criteria. The most SCORE:...... recreation tourism industry. 78% of outdoor enthusiasts. Both he and stock from entering streams. frequent causes of stream impairment were Griswold have spent many days pad- Clean Water Act grant H.R. 2401 — The TRAIN Act would create a duplicative in- Solution: Water quality along the No- dling the Nolichucky over the years. support helped farmers implement “best lichucky gradually improved, high levels of E. coli, sedimentation, habitat teragency panel to study the economic impacts of several stan- The men also make it their business to management practices,” reducing runoff prompting TDEC to remove alteration and dissolved oxygen. Less than dards such as the EPA’s mercury rule, causing potential delays know the Nolichucky’s old habits and and other sources of water pollution. the three Nolichucky River seg- for safeguards for up to six years. 100 of the 13,000 miles of impaired rivers the ways it changes. ments from the list of impaired SCORE: ...... E. coli bacteria and sediment and streams in Tennessee have been restored 78% Griswold explains how even a new- Result: waters in 2008. levels subsided, which restored water quality, comer to the river can note how the No- “All of the state or govern- to good condition. H.R. 2273 — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management benefiting a tourism-based economy. lichucky has changed from its old ways. ment involvement I’ve seen has Act would stop the EPA’s ability to regulate coal ash disposal in Tennessee's decision-makers have in- “If you come out onto the Noli and been very positive. I’m really im- favor of a non-enforceable state program. look out across the stains on the rocks, pressed with how clean they keep creasingly supported measures to weaken SCORE: ...... 89% you’ll see that they’re watermarks,” Griswold says. “You’ll see the river here,” Griswold says. clean water protections in recent years. At where how over the past 30 years, the river level has decreased Griswold and Shores emphasize the importance of main- H.R. 2018 — The Clean Water Federalism Act would remove the state level, there were 16 different bills to dramatically. The evidence is right there on the stone.” taining the fundamental resources that drive the tourism-based the EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act, dramatically Rural development on the Toe and Cane rivers has impacted economy. They and other Nolichucky River rafting guides run an weaken clean water laws introduced in the weakening clean water protections. the area where the rivers converge into the Nolichucky. extensive river clean-up projects when business allows. legislature in 2009. At the federal level, Ten- SCORE: ...... 78% “Quite sadly, the watershed has been damaged, and there’s “Everyone wants it to be a very attractive resource,” says Gris- nessee's members of Congress have also been just not that much water coming down now,” he summarizes. wold, who notes that many boaters make it a habit to participate increasingly hostile to clean water protec- in river clean-ups. Overall percentage of In 2002, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Con- tions, voting in favor of bills to weaken them servation listed different portions of the Nolichucky as impaired “Most of us were not in that mindset when we first got in- votes by Tennessee for E. coli bacteria and high levels of sediment. The pollution volved in outdoor adventure. We approve of people going into 78 percent of the time. In 1972, when the representatives was mostly due to poor agricultural practices. the wilderness, whether they know these principles or not," says Griswold. "If they keep coming, then they can develop the pas- Clean Water Act came before the House of AGAINST clean Under the auspices of the Clean Water Act, county, state and sion that will lead them to adopt those values. It will come from federal agencies provided technical and financial assistance Representatives, Tennessee’s delegation voted water in the time simply spent outside.” % to local farmers so they could implement various “best man- unanimously in favor of the act. 112th Congress 78 agement practices” on their farms, including taking measures

South Carolina Problem: Fecal coliform bacteria, phosphorus and decreased oxygen levels were degrading Ste- vens Creek, making the water unsuitable for aquatic life or drinking water.

Solution: Dairy farm implemented pasture graz- ing management, fenced off streambanks and pro- viding alternative water sources for livestock, plant- ed vegetation creekside. Other farms implemented other agricultural best management practices.

Result: Pasture grazing management and ani- mal fencing significantly reduced concentrations of fecal coliform bacteria. outh Carolina has nearly S30,000 miles of rivers and Courtesy of Hickory Hill Farm streams and more than 400,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs. Less Votes Against Clean Water Cleaning Up the Creek than 20 percent of rivers and streams Percentage of representatives from South Carolina that voted to A farmer’s commitment to improving water quality have been assessed by the state, but of weaken clean water laws in the 112th Congress. atson Dorn runs Hickory Hill Farm and hails from a long detrimental journey downstream. line of South Carolina farmers dating back to 1774. those that have been assessed, two- H.R. 3409 — The War on Coal Act includes the following W “A small family farm can’t go out and do a lot of the things thirds were found to be impaired for three bills plus a provision to prevent an Office of Surface Min- So when the Stevens Creek watershed in the South Caroli- that need to be done to improve the environment, even in good ing rule that would protect streams from mountaintop removal na Piedmont, where the Dorn farm is located, started showing economic times,” Dorn says. “Once we got around that hurdle, signs of pollution, the Dorn family acted. it was a no-brainer.” one or more water quality criteria. coal mining impacts. The most common causes of stream SCORE:...... 83% “We know that if we don’t take care of the land, it cannot take The Dorn family was able to set its clean-water commitment care of us,” says Dorn. into action by fencing off their streams and ponds, construct- impairment are high levels of fecal H.R. 2401 — The TRAIN Act would create a duplicative in- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found that 85 to ing watering troughs and laying asphalt around the commodity coliform, dissolved oxygen and acid- teragency panel to study the economic impacts of several stan- 95 percent of the pollutants threatening the Stevens Creek wa- sheds to prevent runoff. And with these better practices, “we no longer have to be concerned about anything from our farm dards such as the EPA’s mercury rule, causing potential delays tershed were attributable to agricultural practices. Dorn remem- ity. About six percent of rivers and contaminating the streams.” for safeguards for up to six years. bers that a few decades ago, when most of the area’s livestock streams once listed as impaired have drank directly from the creeks, “the water quality was not what it The project was a success, as post-project water quality SCORE: ...... 83% so far been cleaned up. should have been.” sampling results showed significant reductions in fecal coliform H.R. 2273 — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management In 1995, with funds allocated through the Clean Water Act, bacteria downstream at both the poultry and dairy farm stations. On the Dorn’s farm, pasture grazing management and animal In 1972, South Carolina's Con- Act would stop the EPA’s ability to regulate coal ash disposal in Dorn’s community was given a way to improve its streams. The fencing significantly reduced fecal coliform bacteria counts in gressional delegation voted unani- favor of a non-enforceable state program. project, led by the Edgefield Soil and Water Conservation Dis- trict, focused on improving water quality through agricultural the stream. SCORE: ...... 100% mously to enact the Clean Water Act. “best management practices” at two livestock operations locat- Dorn’s relief is rooted in the invaluable knowledge that his live- During the 112th Congress, on the H.R. 2018 — The Clean Water Federalism Act would remove ed near the streams, including Dorn’s dairy farm. lihood does not come at the cost of the environment. Overall, he describes the project as “extremely successful,” but the pride in the EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act, dramatically At the time, Hickory Hill’s ponds were predomi- other hand, 83 percent of votes by his voice suggests that the full scope of success weakening clean water protections. nantly unfenced, alternative livestock watering South Carolina's representatives on systems were unfeasible and the farm was cannot be measured. For Dorn, the benefits go SCORE: ...... 83% subject to weather-related pollution problems. What is the well beyond the improvement in the water qual- bills impacting clean water laws were ity of the Stevens Creek watershed. Admiring The rainstorms that watered the grass for greatest benefit in favor of weakening protections. Overall percentage of the healthy coats of his cows and the green votes by South Carolina Dorn’s cows also naturally increased agricul- of having the fields of his farm, he knows he is continuing his tural stream pollution. Heavy runoff often car- family tradition of caring for the land. representatives ried large amounts of feed from the commod- Clean Water Act AGAINST clean ity sheds, used at farms like Hickory Hill, into on his side? That's What is the greatest benefit of having the water in the nearby Sleepy Creek where pollutants began a Clean Water Act on his side? That’s simple, Dorn says. “Peace of mind." 112th Congress % simple, Dorn says: 83 “Peace of mind.” Georgia

eorgia has more than 70,000 Gmiles of rivers and streams and more than 400,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs. Less than 20 percent of those rivers and streams were as- Photos courtesy of City of Griffin sessed by the state in 2010, but of those that have, and well over half of those were found to be impaired for Ditching Storm Water one or more water quality criteria. One man’s mission to improve waters for wildlife and communities The most common causes of stream ucks and Styrofoam cups have something in common — two years of sampling revealed effective trends in the removal of impairment were high levels of fecal Dat least, for Dr. Brant Keller they do. The director of Public water contaminants and hopeful predictions for the future. Works and Utilities for the city of Griffin, Ga., Keller is an avid “It’s been a win for everyone,” Keller says. “The runoff was coliform, dissolved oxygen and mercury. Votes Against Clean Water duck hunter, and in visiting many waterways around the country, completely eliminated from the subdivision so that homes were he often finds ducks and debris competing for the same space. Just over one percent of impaired rivers and Percentage of representatives from Georgia that voted to weaken clean no longer flooded, the developer was also able to utilize the pond streams have been cleaned up so far. water laws in the 112th Congress. “Water is a finite source. The wa- for water retention, and overall water ter that we’re managing is the very quality was improved in the basin.” H.R. 3409 — The War on Coal Act includes the following three bills A number of bills were introduced in same prehistoric dinosaur water, Stormwater runoff caused Griffin has since constructed plus a provision to prevent an Office of Surface Mining rule that would Problem: so we’ve got to manage such a flooding and carried debris into local two additional stormwater deten- the 2012 state legislative session that were protect streams from mountaintop removal coal mining impacts. significant resource really well,” he waterways in Griffin, Ga. tion ponds and is building a fourth. SCORE:...... designed to weaken clean water protections, 77% says. “It took the Clean Water Act The series of ponds act as a con- however none of those bills were passed into in 1972 to clean up the cesspools Solution: A series of stormwater structed wetland system, provid- H.R. 2401 — The TRAIN Act would create a duplicative interagency we called rivers ... but we have a detention ponds were created to prevent law. Those bills included efforts to fast-track ing habitat for wildlife and reducing panel to study the economic impacts of several standards such as the long way to go.” runoff and water pollution. nitrogen and phosphorus contami- the wastewater discharge permitting process, EPA’s mercury rule, causing potential delays for safeguards for up to six Following the establishment of nation throughout the watershed. years. the Georgia Stormwater Utility in Result: Stormwater management roll back rules for disposing of septic waste, prevented floods and improved water Keller emphasizes that commu- SCORE: ...... 62% 1997, Keller brought his determi- nity education played a critical role and weaken the state Environmental Protec- quality and wildlife habitat. nation to the city of Griffin in the in the completion of this project. tion Division's enforcement responsibility. H.R. 2273 — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act would Flint River Basin. He quickly found From the beginning, the public was stop the EPA’s ability to regulate coal ash disposal in favor of a non- a number of community water con- educated about the need for mitigating flooding and the impor- In 1972, Georgia Representative Benja- enforceable state program. tainment and quality issues that needed to be addressed. In tance of community partnerships. Classroom presentations, Griffin’s Waterford subdivision, for example, Keller discovered min Blackburn was the only representative SCORE: ...... 85% stream clean-ups and the Adopt-A-Stream initiative were three that the drainage system could not handle the amount of runoff of the most successful means of citizen involvement, according in the Southeast to vote against the Clean it faced during heavy rains. H.R. 2018 — The Clean Water Federalism Act would remove the to Keller. Water Act, however the state's delegation EPA’s authority to enforce the Clean Water Act, dramatically weakening In order to address this problem, Keller directed the construc- “It may be a pie-in-the-sky hope," says Keller, "but if we could in Congress has shifted toward Blackburn's clean water protections. tion of a regional stormwater detention pond, established by a get both environmentalists and politicians to sit at the same ta- public-private partnership and funded by a county sales tax. anti-regulatory views since then. In the SCORE: ...... 75% ble and come to a logical conclusion, we could provide a better Keller’s project resulted in several successful projects that uti- resource for everyone at the end of the day.” 112th Congress, 69 percent of votes cast lized grant support through the Clean Water Act for future water Overall percentage of votes quality assessment. "By promoting the importance of watershed management, the by Georgia's representatives on bills that relationship between the Griffin community and the entire river Water quality monitoring in the Flint River Basin included the impact clean water laws were in support of by Georgia representatives basin has been improved," Keller says. And when ducks don’t AGAINST clean water in collection and testing of storm water samples from three differ- have to compete with debris for space, wildlife, hunters and the weakening those protections. ent locations in close proximity to the detention pond. The initial the 112th Congress 69% communities they live in all benefit. ALABAMA

Alabama Fit for a labama has more than 75,000 miles of rivers Swim, Again Aand streams and nearly 500,000 acres of lakes and reservoirs. Less than 15 percent of those riv- A community helps restore Flint Creek ers and streams were assessed by the state in 2010, ess than a mile from Flint Creek in Morgan County, Ala., Hal with one-third of those found to be impaired for LLee farms the land his family has owned for more than 70 one or more water quality criteria. The most com- years. Originally hog farmers, his family switched to dairy farming in the 1950s. mon causes of stream impairment were high levels Today, Lee still raises cattle alongside of sediment, fecal coliform bacteria, oxygen deple- his son who runs a poultry farm on the family’s property. tion and mercury. Just 50 miles of impaired rivers Problem: Rural and urban runoff contributed to With a degree from Auburn Univer- reduced oxygen levels in the lower part of the Flint and streams have been cleaned up so far. sity and six years of military service, Lee River in Alabama. combines civil service and efficiency The Alabama Department of Environmental Farmers were educated and funded to in his work. He knows that clean water Solution: Management has been widely criticized for fail- plays a critical role in better farming and pur- institute agricultural best management practices. sues water quality improvement in both of his ure to respond to citizen complaints, inspect sites Result: Oxygen levels were improved in the river, roles as north vice president of the Alabama and in 2006, a 28-mile segment of the Flint River was with Clean Water Act permits and issue penalties Farmers Federation and chairman of the removed from the list of impaired waters. to violators. The state has also board for the Flint Creek Watershed Conser- been criticized for not provid- Votes Against Clean Water vancy District. Lee fondly remembers the summer days when he Percentage of representatives from Alabama that voted to weaken clean water laws ing adequate funding to ADEM would go swimming in the creek after long hours of farm work. in the 112th Congress. problem was and how to fix it, and had tremendous cooperation to hire enough inspectors to keep When he returned home from military service in 1975, however, with the people involved in the county,” Lee says. “When people track of the tens of thousands of H.R. 3409 — The War on Coal Act includes the following three bills plus a pro- that was no longer an option. are educated and they know what needs to be done, they will step up and do the job.” permits in the state. In 2010, 14 vision to prevent an Office of Surface Mining rule that would protect streams from Since the 1950s, Flint Creek had been polluted by stormwa- mountaintop removal coal mining impacts. ter runoff from agricultural and urban areas, making the creek At Lee’s cattle farm, areas near the heavily-used watering organizations petitioned the U.S. SCORE:...... 86% unsafe for recreation and wildlife. In 1994, a Watershed Con- troughs were lined with gravel to prevent bare muddy patches Environmental Protection Agency servancy District was established and plans were developed to from washing downhill during rain, improving drainage and pre- H.R. 2401 — The TRAIN Act would create a duplicative interagency panel to study clean up the creek with the assistance of federal and state agen- venting erosion to keep animal waste from entering the creek. to revoke Alabama's authority to cies, as well as local soil and water the economic impacts of several standards such as the EPA’s mercury rule, causing Through the use of these “best conservation districts. Funding for regulate water permits. potential delays for safeguards for up to six years. management practices,” Flint the project included grant money SCORE: ...... Creek came back to life. The duck- Alabama's representatives in 86% from the U.S. Environmental Pro- weed and algae that choked the tection Agency through the Clean the 112th Congress had the most — The Coal Residuals Reuse and Management Act would stop the creek as a result of pollution began H.R. 2273 Water Act, U.S. Department of Agri- to disappear. The difference was consistent record of voting in favor EPA’s ability to regulate coal ash diposal in favor of a non-enforceable state program. culture, and corporate donors. Photos courtesy of Hal Lee striking as the water turned from SCORE: ...... 86% of bills to weaken clean water laws 85 percent of the farmers in the brown to clear. area received funds from the EPA of any state in the Southeast, vot- H.R. 2018 — The Clean Water Federalism Act would remove the EPA’s authority Describing the educational to apply “best management prac- to enforce the Clean Water Act, dramatically weakening clean water protections. outreach aspect of the project, ing against clean water 87 percent tices” on their farms. Farmers cre- Lee says that “people’s attitude of the time. The state's representa- SCORE: ...... 86% ated dry stack structures to control changed after being educated be- animal waste, installed dead bird tives were not always so hostile to cause they see the need for clean composter to kill bacteria, and ad- water. The Flint Creek community water regulations, having unani- Overall percentage opted no-till farming to minimize today is more environmentally con- of votes by Alabama erosion. mously voted in favor of the Clean scious than they have ever been.” Water Act in 1972. representatives AGAINST “We showed them what the clean water in the % 112th Congress 87 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS REFERENCES ALABAMA Brad Bole — Strodes Creek Project Coordinator, Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District The Clean Water Act: Making A Difference for Real People for Over 40 Years Hal Lee 1) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2008. EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment. National Center for Environmental Assessment, Washington, DC; EPA/600/R-07/045F. Available online at http://www.epa.gov/roe GEORGIA Dr. Brant Keller — Public Works Director 2) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 40 Years of Achievements, 1970-2010. http://www. Storm Water Utility Division epa.gov/40th/achieve.html

KENTUCKY 3) Ibid. Paulette Akers — Kentucky Division of Water Shanda Cecil — Director, Strodes Creek Conservancy 4) Duhigg, Charles. “Toxic Waters: Clean Water Laws Are Neglected, at a Cost in Suffering.” John Jones New York Times. September 12, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/us/13water. Kentucky Waterways Alliance html

NORTH CAROLINA 5) “America’s Sewage System and the Price of Optimism.” Time Magazine. August 1, 1969. Bob and Jill Kinser http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,901182-1,00.html Jim Summers — Department Head / District Soil Conservationist, Iredell County Soil & Water Conservation District 6) American Society of Civil Engineers: Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. Wastewater: Report Card for America’s Infrastructure. http://www.infrastructurereportcard.org/fact-sheet/ SOUTH CAROLINA wastewater Watson Dorn & The Dorn Family — Hickory Hill Farm

7) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2009. “EPA’s Healthy Watershed Initiative.” TENNESSEE: Document number EPA841-F-09-001. John "Uncle Johnny" Shores and Grym Griswold — Uncle Johnny’s Nolichucky Hostel and Outfitters Matthew Denton — Natural Resource Conservation and Development Council Dirty Politics and the Clean Water Act VIRGINIA All descriptive information and voting records on House bills provided through http://www. Karen Forget — Executive Director, Lynnhaven River NOW thomas.loc.gov Hap Chalmers — Lynnhaven Oyster Company and Lynnhaven River NOW

WEST VIRGINIA: State-specific Water Information

Timothy Craddock — WV Department of Environmental Protection Provided through U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Summary of Imparied Photo by Eric Kennedy Eddy Grey — President, Morris Creek Watershed Association Waters and TMDL Information website at http://ofmpub.epa.gov/tmdl_waters10/attains_ Bob and Wanda King nation_cy.control?p_report_type=T

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