Take Action: Tell your elected leaders that stormwater needs to be managed!

photo by Thirteen Of Clubs

One of the greatest threats to the quality of our drinking water and health of the Chesapeake Bay is stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff carries untreated debris, chemicals, sediment and other pollutants into our waterways. Unlike pollution that can be controlled at a single source, stormwater management requires a comprehensive solution.

Fortunately, new water management practices can reduce and even eliminate stormwater pollution, though these practices have associated costs. According to local governments, the backlog of  "green infrastructure" repairs caused by stormwater runoff exceeds $20 billion statewide. Stormwater-related damage to Maryland's waterways can only be reversed by establishing a dedicated funding source for this purpose. The Watershed Protection & Restoration act will do this. Take Action Now: Tell your elected leaders that stormwater needs to be managed.

President Obama was right to emphasize the job creation potential and economic stakes for America's leadership on global warming solutions in his State of the Union address this week.

Strategic use of federal stimulus monies is one of the best ways to jump-start the nation's transition to a clean energy economy. Planned investments in high speed rail, new energy efficiency technologies, clean energy start-ups and entrepreneurs can deliver the right combination of near term and longer range benefits.

By re-asserting the imperative for U.S. action and leadership on global warming, the President signaled the urgency and importance of Senate action to complete work on comprehensive energy and global warming legislation begun by the House.

Clean Water Action is an organization of 1.2 million members working to empower people to take action to protect America's waters, build healthy communities and to make democracy work for all of us. For 36 years Clean Water Action has succeeded in winning some of the nation's most important environmental protections through grassroots organizing, expert policy research and political advocacy focused on holding elected officials accountable to the public.

Clean Water Action is looking for enthusiastic students or recent graduates who are willing to work hard advancing the goals of Clean Water Action in restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the Anacostia River, engaging communities and building grassroots support.

Act Now To Fund Jobs That Save Lives

Legislation to create jobs is moving forward in Congress, and environmental health advocates have a great opportunity to significantly increase the funding to reduce diesel emissions. The request for $1 billion would potentially save or generate 19,000 jobs and increase economic output by over $3 billion.

It is a great opportunity to protect public health, curb greenhouse gases and otherwise protect the environment while putting Americans to work and boosting the economy. Please contact your House representative and two Senators to urge them to support $1 billion in the jobs package to reduce diesel emissions today. 

January 11, 2010

The Honorable Harry Reid
Senate Majority Leader
522 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Majority Leader Reid:

We are writing as a broad-based group of environmental, health and industry organizations to urge you to include $1 billion for the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act of 2005 ("DERA") in the anticipated jobs package.

Published On: 

01/11/2010 - 10:57

We have never had a better chance of fixing the Clean Water Act and delivering results on the Clean Water issues that matter the most. Help us seize the moment and change the course of our nation's clean water future.

By continuing your support with a generous year-end gift, you are helping to advance Clean Water Action's vision for water protection in the 21st Century that will be realized by:

Chesapeake Currents Summer 2009

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Summer 2009, Volume 37, No. 2

Children's bubble baths should be clean, safe and fun. But No More Toxic Tub, a report published in March 2009 by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in partnership with Clean Water Action and other organizations, found contaminants and other hazardous ingredients in numerous popular shampoos, soaps and body care products marketed to babies and children. The report lists 38 products that were shown to be contaminated with the carcinogenic chemicals formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane or both, although neither contaminant appears on product labels.

Chesapeake Currents|Online, Summer 2009

Keep Virginia Uranium Mining Ban

Climate Crisis Bill Passes Maryland Legislature

Incinerator Battle Heats Up

For California Woman, Protecting A River Can Cost You A Job

Restoring the Clean Water Act Must Top Congress' Agenda

In this issue of Chesapeake Currents|Online:

Keep Virginia Uranium Mining Ban