Protect Montana’s Water: Act NOW!
The comment period for this important matter closes at 11:59PM EST on April 15th, 2019, so please act NOW!
A December 11th, 2018 order by the Trump administration, in the name of “clarifying federal authority” seeks to gut the Clean Water Act by limiting federal protections for most of our nation’s wetlands and thousands of miles of rivers and streams. The rule is being proposed to spur development and reduce developer’s costs: not to protect clean water. The rule replacement adds up to a repeal of protections for 60 percent of stream miles in America—in addition to most of our nation’s wetlands. Conservationists, anglers, irrigators, recreationists, and all people who value clean drinking water should act to defend the Clean Water Act because it:
- Protects headwater streams and wetlands that safeguard the drinking water sources of more than half of Montanans and one in three Americans;
- Conserves important habitat for the majority of Montana’s wildlife species;
- Includes exemptions to ensure that farmers and ranchers are not penalized for the water use that keeps them in business.
- Supports our hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation industry: ten million people visit Montana every year, in large degree because of the state’s unparalleled natural amenities, including our wetlands and clean headwaters.
PLEASE take the time TODAY to send EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler comments to protect the Clean Water Act.