Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund made our voices loud and clear at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) latest listening session on the Clean Water Act.
On May 1, 2025, EPA invited environmental stakeholders to weigh in on the definition of the “Waters of the United States,” an important term that determines what waters are protected and regulated under the Clean Water Act. In March, EPA announced plans to further weaken these protections for streams, wetlands, and other vital water resources. We, along with many other environmental stakeholders, urged EPA not to introduce a new rulemaking that would further narrow critical protections under the Clean Water Act.
Here’s what some of our staff had to say to EPA:
“The U.S. Supreme Court Sackett v. EPA decision significantly weakened federal water protections under the Clean Water Act. The Biden Administration already complied with the ruling and released a final conforming rule that aligns with the Sackett v. EPA decision. We are deeply concerned at efforts to further narrow Clean Water Act protections. The EPA’s role as a steward of our nation’s waters must remain grounded in science, protect water resources for all uses, and uphold the Clean Water Act’s original intent to protect all water,” - Julie MacNamara, National Water Projects Coordinator
Photo: Julie MacNamara speaks out at EPA Listening Session
“We, along with 94% of all Americans, understand and broadly support the goals of the Clean Water Act. We all agree that protecting the water in our nation’s lakes, streams, wetlands, and rivers is vitally important. Wetlands and streams provide essential fish and wildlife habitats, store carbon, prevent flooding, provide a natural storm surge buffer, filter out harmful pollution, and protect drinking water supplies. The Jersey Shore economy would not be what it is today without protections under the Clean Water Act.” - Molly Cleary, New Jersey Environmental Advocate
“When we remove protections for wetlands and ephemeral streams, the devastating impacts are seen in larger bodies of water like the Great Lakes which are the main economic driver for our region and again, the source of drinking water for 40 million people. The economic risks from further removing Clean Water Act protections are also not limited to our tourism industry. More polluted source water means more expensive and less safe drinking water, and here in Michigan 1 in every 10 families already have unaffordable water bills according to EPA’s own definitions.” - Sean McBrearty, Michigan State Director
“Large portions of California are arid, with many streams that only flow for part of the year. Seasonal or rain-dependent streams are critical resources for habitat and aquatic species, recreation, water supply, and downstream drinking water quality. These proposals will lead to further irreparable damage to wetlands and waterways, increasing the threat of flooding and harm to our communities. Because California has a heavily engineered water conveyance system, what goes into the headwaters finds its way into the water you drink hundreds of miles away.” - Mac Glackin, Oakland Office Associate
“Here in Texas, roughly 11.5 million drinking water consumers are threatened by reduction of Clean Water Act protections from streams and headwaters feeding their drinking water supplies. These include residents of Dallas, Houston, Austin, and El Paso. Flooding here in my home city has been devastating and continues to grow as a threat to health and wellbeing for residents. With climate change stimulating more intense storms, many areas of Texas will suffer from increased flooding if we are unable to use the Clean Water Act to protect wetlands from destruction.” Becky Smith, Texas State Director
The well-attended listening session ran overtime and there was still not enough time to get to all speakers who hoped to weigh in, including representatives from our teams in Maryland, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania.
The overwhelming turnout made one thing clear: communities from across the country care deeply about protecting our water. Any move to further weaken Clean Water Act protections would be a handout to polluters.
As this administration continues to attack environmental and public health safeguards, dismantle of environmental justice programs, and propose devastating budget cuts to EPA’s staffing and spending, Clean Water will continue to raise our voices, mobilize, and push the EPA to do better to protect our waters.
