An important provision in the Clean Water Act—Section 401—authorizes states and tribes to review applications for federally licensed or permitted projects to assess potential impacts to water quality. Pipelines, fossil fuel export terminals, dams, and other large projects can harm water quality in many ways, including by filling in wetlands, damming rivers, and digging trenches through streams and other water bodies. A state or tribe can approve, reject, or request modifications to these projects.
Our democracy has been under assault for years by powerful special interests who want to buy their way into our government. They have helped elect politicians who put their needs first and then do everything they can to make sure they can’t be held accountable by voters – introducing strict voter ID requirements, gerrymandering districts so it’s nearly impossible for them to lose, and more.
The oil and gas industry, aided by the erosion of campaign finance laws and nearly boundless lobbying budgets, asserts enormous influence over legislative processes in real time while also enjoying legacy influence in regulatory frame- works. The results can be devastating to the health of the environment and the public.
The Allegheny County Sanitation Authority (ALCOSAN) recently unveiled their EPA approved plan to address billions of gallons of raw sewage that gets dumped into our three rivers, polluting them. Right now, the plan calls for spending $2 billion to upgrade our regional stormwater system. Much of that money will go toward expanding the capacity of the existing ALCOSAN treatment plant and installing miles of tunnels underground.
Take Action! Email your state senator today and tell them to oppose SB 790.
Policy solutions to our nationwide PFAS chemicals problem should be part of the annual Defense Department spending bill for next year – the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The U.S. Senate and the U.S. House have each passed a version of the spending bill with different PFAS-related provisions; those are now being considered by a conference committee of Senators and Representatives.
Forest loss is a persistant problem in Maryland, but especially in Anne Arundel County. Since 2010, Anne Arundel County has lost 2,775 acres of forest.
Forests play important roles in our ecosystem. They naturally filter out pollutants from water, slow stormwater runoff, moderate and cool temperatures, clean air, house animals, and offer us places to play.
For years, DC residents have organized to make their communities better places to live, work, and play. DC residents raise their families in our nation’s capital, pay taxes, and serve on juries. They serve in the military and work together to create a strong community so children can learn and grow. Yet, every day, these 702,000 residents of the capital of the world's oldest democracy are denied the right to participate in that same democracy.
For years Cargill has put profit first, polluting our water and environment to increase its bottom line. Millions of gallons of toxic waste dumped into American waterways, dozens of systematic violations of the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, and ecosystem clearance on a global scale show Cargill’s entire supply chain contributes to an array of environmental issues.