In a recent government meeting, lawmakers emphasized the urgent need to restore protections under the Clean Water Act, highlighting the growing challenges posed by climate change and recent judicial decisions that have weakened federal water protections. Representative Napolitano, who has dedicated over 25 years to water preservation, expressed frustration over the politicization of clean water issues, noting that bipartisan support for water protection has diminished in recent years.

Napolitano pointed out that the ongoing droughts in the arid West necessitate a unified approach to water management, warning that a fragmented state-by-state strategy could lead to increased pollution and inadequate water supplies. She criticized recent Supreme Court rulings that have undermined decades of established protections, leaving communities less equipped to safeguard their water resources.

Echoing these sentiments, Ranking Member Larson from Washington highlighted the historical significance of the Clean Water Act, which was enacted to prevent pollution rather than merely address it after the fact. He noted that the Act has been instrumental in improving water quality across the nation, but recent decisions have left over half of wetlands and a significant portion of streams without federal protection. Larson stressed the importance of a robust federal-state partnership in maintaining water quality, warning that without uniform national standards, states may struggle to manage pollution effectively.

Both lawmakers advocated for the Clean Water Act of 2023, a proposed bill aimed at reinstating essential protections that have been lost. They emphasized that restoring these protections is critical not only for environmental health but also for the economic stability of communities reliant on clean water. The meeting underscored a growing consensus among lawmakers that immediate action is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the nation’s water resources in the face of climate change and regulatory rollbacks.