Except as in compliance with this section and sections 302, 306, 307, 318, 402, and 404 of this act, the discharge of any pollutant by any person shall be unlawful. Muddy aspects remain law360, new york october 18, 2012, 4. Oct 24, 2020 forty eight years after the passage of the clean water act, were reminded of its heightened importance as we navigate a global pandemic and fend off coordinated legislative and regulatory efforts. Forty years of the clean water act mean much better water. A retrospective look at the southern california coastal ocean the ocean is a cornerstone of southern californias environment, culture, and economy. In the mid1970s, clean water act funding of municipal wastewater treatment plants was. Protecting the clean water act is more important than ever. A summary of the law congressional research service 1 introduction the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. The cwa criminalizes knowingly discharging pollutants from a point source into the navigable waters of the united states. A summary of the law congressional research service summary the principal law governing pollution of the nations surface waters is the federal water pollution control act, or clean water act. The clean water act addressed a classic externality. A sundrenched early morning elicits a symphony of sounds from a pristine trout stream.
May 21, 2012 the clean water act of 1972, one of the boldest environmental laws ever enacted, turns 40 this year, with an impressive record of cleaning up americas waterways. Safe drinking water act and amendments codified generally as 42 u. Now more than 170,000 public water supplies in the united states adhere to the requirements of sdwa. Modernization of the clean water act is long overdue neiwpcc. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the philippine congress assembled. By suzanne teller a strong federalstate partnership in which the federal government sets. However, the penalties for violating this law are nominal. Over the years, many other laws have changed parts of the clean water act. Npdes permits are valid, for a maximum of five years before renewal is. Section 402 starts at page 175 federal water pollution. Currently, brown pelicans and california sea lions populations are at their highest level in 40 years and brown pelicans have been removed from the endangered species list.
Story of the clean water act george washington journal of energy. Frankly speaking franklin soil and water conservation. The issue of which waters are protected by the clean water act is critical to the act s entire functioning. Oct 04, 2016 the second major change affecting industrial compliance within the clean water act of 1977 is the additional time given to meet the 1977 requirements for best practicable technology.
Successes and concerns background the safe drinking water act sdwa celebrated its 40th anniversary in december 2014. The country was losing up to 500,000 acres of wetlands per year, and 30 percent of tap water samples exceeded federal limits for certain chemicals. Federal water pollution control act clean water act. But from new york harbor to alaskas bristol bay, key challenges remain. Clean water restoration act the ability to meet the national objectivehas been undermined by swancc and rapanos, which has resulted in confusion, permitting delays, increased costs, liti gation, and reduced protections for waters of the united states clean water restoration act of 2009, s. The clean water act, with the new toxics provisions of 1977, provides controls over dispersal into the nations waters of those toxic substances which continue in use and the resource conservation and recovery act of 1976 provides similar controls over disposition of toxicsladen solid wastes, including municipal sewage sludge. In ohio, the cuyahoga river in cleveland was so polluted that it caught. Title i of the great lakes critical programs act of 1990, for example, put into place parts of the great lakes water quality agreement of 1978, signed by the u. Recommitting to the protection of the nations waters. Oct 26, 2020 forty eight years after the passage of the clean water act, were reminded of its heightened importance as we navigate a global pandemic and fend off coordinated legislative and regulatory efforts to undermine the very principles that have made the monumental law such a success. For its time, the bill was genuinely revolutionary, and in the years since, it has done much to. Two massive oil spills into minnesota rivers devastated fish and wildlife in the early 1960s.
This scorecard focuses on the major actions taken to protect our water and our democracy by governor whitmer, attorney general nessel, and secretary benson since assuming office. Before the clean water act, only about a third of u. History of the clean water act fort wayne, indiana. Technology can take us only so far, however, if the technologybased limitations are outdated. This is the dredge, or fill, wetlands permit program under section 404 of the clean water act. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to sweeping amendments in 1972. History of the clean water act adapted from information found at 2. Clean water act sought \to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. Clean water act cwa bureau of ocean energy management.
Mar 24, 2021 after only two years in office all three leaders have helped ensure significant progress for michiganders, our environment and our democracy. At the time, no laws required that spills be reported or cleaned up. History of cwa great lakes critical programs act 1990 america and canada agree to reduce specific toxic pollutants in the great lakes law required epa to est. The clean water act cwa is commonly considered one of the strongest. Growing public awareness and concern for controlling water pollution led to enactment of the federal water pollution control act amendments of 1972 33 u. Congress enacted the modern clean water act in 1972 with the objective of. Are you protected under the safe water drinking act. Forty years later, the conservation community finds itself facing another battle this time to protect the clean water act itself. Najjum assistant inspector general for program evaluation. Disadvantages an act that establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the united states and regulating quality standards for surface waters. Nov 16, 2007 year act public law 1948 federal water pollution control act p.
This post is first in a series marking the 40 th anniversary of the clean water act on october 18 th, the nation will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the clean water act. Clean water act became the act s common name with amendments in 1977. Thirty years of the clean water act water education. It is also the date that franklin soil and water conservation district is celebrating conservation at its 66th annual meeting and holding its board of supervisors election. Environmental lawsthis is a clear statement revealing a good span of years that u. This landmark piece of legislation has proven remarkably successful. The cwa made it unlawful to discharge any pollutant from a point source into navigable waters, unless a permit authorized under the cwa was obtained. The cwa is the principle law governing pollution control and water quality of. But the significance and impact of this important law remains today. Second, the paper asks how the clean water act s grants to municipal wastewater treatment plants contributed to these trends. For more than forty five years, all three branches of government have struggled with how to. An extended deadline of april 1, 1979, is established for those industries acting in good faith in trying to comply with a july 1, 1977, deadline.
Enforcing the clean water act in the twentyfirst century. History of the clean water act the federal water pollution control act of 1948 was the first major u. After a brief description of the workings of state water. This paper quanti es changes in water pollution since before 1972, studies the causes of any changes, and analyzes the welfare consequences of any changes. The landmark legislation was a fundamental turning point in the protection of all fresh water in the united sta. Over 17,500 km 2 of hypoxic ocean water was estimated in. The clean water rule, in part, reaffirms cwa jurisdiction over waters historically protected by the agencies, such as many tributaries and their adjacent wetlands. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current shape. The gulf of mexico dead zone results from largescale eutrophication. The meaning of the 1977 clean water act about epa us epa.
Celebrating 40 years of the clean water act thursday, october 18, 2012 from 5. As amended in 1977, the law became commonly known as the clean water act cwa. Except as in compliance with this section and sections 302, 306, 307, 318, 402, and 404 of this act, the discharge of. The clean water act had two main componentsgrants for wastewater treatment plants and permits for industry. Originally enacted in 1948, it was totally revised by amendments in 1972 that gave the act its current dimensions. In april of the year 2004, carl pope of the sierra state for the first time since the clean water act was passed and enacted under president nixon, for the first time, epa reported last year that americas waterways are getting dirtier. For more than fortyfive years, all three branches of government have struggled with how to.
It has helped clean up our lakes and rivers, and ensure that americans are drinking safe water so we can live active, healthy lives. In the case of the clean water act, the federal government. October 18, 2012 is the 40th anniversary of the enactment of amendments to the federal water pollution control act, resulting in what has become known as the clean water act. By the early 1970s, such catastrophes were becoming common. Forty years ago this week, they passed the clean water act, landmark legislation that environmental advocates warn may now be at risk due to powerful industry influence and a lack of bipartisanship in washington. Oct 19, 2012 americans leaders came together at the time in support of cleaning up lakes and rivers. The analysis focuses on the rst component though controls.
How can the clean water act be effective if the deepwater horizon spilt 4. It stands as a tribute to the foresight of those in congress who passed it, as well as to the men and women in both state and federal regulatory agencies who have worked so hard, and for so long, to restore the integrity of our nations waters. For the last 40 years, communities across the united states have used the clean water act to take back their watersheds, and restore the treasured places that were once considered beyond repair. Excerpts on the clean water act bringing history home. Watershed academy web introduction to the clean water act. The boat house at confluence park 679 west spring street, columbus, oh 43215 you can register online using paypal at, or mail this form with a check made out to franklin soil and water.
Modernization of the clean water act is long overdue. Clean water restoration act of 1966 legislation us. Modernization of the clean water act is long overdue special report jurisdiction the limits on the clean water act s jurisdiction should be revised to reflect the interrelated and interdependent nature of the hydrologic cycle. In this lesson, students consider how the clean water act of 1972 became a law.
Consequences of the clean water act and the demand for water. Articles and videos about clean water act from the american. The epa estimated that it took 210 years from project con ception to finishing construction. The limits on the clean water acts jurisdiction should be revised to reflect the. History of the 1972 clean water act george washington journal of. Aug 02, 2012 for the last 40 years, communities across the united states have used the clean water act to take back their watersheds, and restore the treasured places that were once considered beyond repair. Looking out on the global community, it is clear the cwas impact is not limited to this country the clean water act is widely viewed as the.
In the mid1970s, clean water act funding of municipal wastewater treatment plants. The 1972 clean water act cwa was intended to protect the nations waterways from pollution, making lakes, rivers, and streams safe for swimming, fishing, and a host of other activities. Despite more than forty years of regulation, the physical, chemical. In many places, rivers provide drinking water and offer vibrant and fascinating backdrops for city life. Before the committee on transportation and infrastructure. The federal water pollution control act, commonly known as the clean water act was originally passed in 1948. This act shall be known as the philippine clean water act.
The clean water act is, in short, a real success story. May 05, 2012 as the title suggests, this paper will trace the history of federal interventions in u. In the absence of enforcement, laws alone pack little punch. The clean water act is born the federal government responded with the 1972 passage of the federal water pollution control act, more commonly known as the clean water act cwa, whose mission was to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nations waters. While some of the 46 states have primary responsibility for. Water pollution discharges from both industry and municipal sewer systems have declined sharply, the loss of wetlands has been cut decisively, and water. The argument is that there exists no authority for the clean water act to regulate nonpoint source pollution.
During the past 15 years, epa has updated only one of the thirteen effluent clean water act. Now, 40 years into the clean water act, agricultural interests are drawing a legal line in the sand against the epa and challenging the agencys newly found legal authority. Consequences of the clean water act and the demand for. Forty three years ago, when the clean water act was enacted, things moved a little slower. Click through for a useful collection of articles and videos about clean water act published by the american farm bureau federation. League and other conservation groups resulted in a clean water act to protect americas waterways from pollution. Clean water act essay example topics and well written. By 1972, congress had voted on an amended version of the law that included the expansion of regulations to prevent pollution of the nations waterways. The 1972 passage of the clean water act cwa marked an important milestone. The clean water act cwa also has the goal of attaining water quality. This is especially true in fort wayne where the downtown has developed around three rivers.
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