Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
If passed, H.R. 2018 would severely limit the federal government's ability to oversee state compliance with the Clean Water Act, give upstream states the power to weaken their pollution protections; and weaken the power of downstream states to protect their water supply, their communities, and their economy. This bill would threaten water quality in our nation's rivers, lakes and streams and limit the ability of both federal and state governments to ensure that all Americans have access to clean water.
Specifically, H.R. 2018 would:
- Restrict EPA's ability to revise an existing water quality standard or promulgate or promulgate a new one, unless the state concurs.
- Prohibit EPA from rejecting a water quality certification granted by a state.
- Prohibit EPA withdrawing approval of a state water quality permitting prgram (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System), or from limiting federal financial assistance for the state program if a state isn't in compliance with water quality standards.
- Prohibit EPA from objecting to a state's issuance of an NPDES permit that it believes comply with Water Quality Standards.
CWN Position:
STRONGLY OPPOSES!
Suggested Actions:
Contact your Representative and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 2018 will it comes to the House floor for a vote.