WHEREAS The Clean Water Act has resulted in the substantial improvement of water quality and overall health of many of our nation’s rivers; and
WHEREAS The Clean Water Act is now decades over-due for re‑authorization by Congress; and
WHEREAS Congressional inaction on this important issue has done nothing to resolve the growing conflicts over scope and enforcement of the Act, especially of Sections 402 and 404; and
WHEREAS Judicial and regulatory interpretations of the Act have created uncertainty regarding the scope and applicability of the Act; and
WHEREAS Recent regulatory proposals would significantly broaden federal authority and would classify canals and ditches as wetlands, even though these areas are wet only a short time (about 15 days) each year, and/or are man‑made;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that CLUB‑20 supports Congressional re‑authorization of the Clean Water Act with clarifications that more closely reflect the original Congressional intent of protecting navigable waterways, and that strengthen the economic impact assessment of wetlands protection.
Adopted 3/3/1995
Renew 9/11/2009
Amended 9/5/2014