Included in this issue:

• Delaware News Source Illuminates Toxic Threat to Water Supply
• Anacostia Restoration Fund Survives Threat of Budget Grab
• Offshore Drilling and Uranium Mining – Preventing Disaster

And more...

Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010

The Wilmington News Journal recently published a stellar expose on groundwater pollution in Delaware, and the region served by the Potomac Aquifer, the groundwater supply for significant portions of New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland. Reporter Jeff Montgomery has covered the environment for years, and his devastating series of articles details serious threats to groundwater resources that support drinking water for many residents of Delaware and its neighbors.

The series reports:

Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010

Last year, with the help of Clean Water Action members, the District set up a new fund supported by a fee on plastic and paper bags to help restore the Anacostia River and other District waterways. However, within a few months, this fund was threatened by proposals to raid the money to support other programs. One of the many positive aspects of the legislation that imposed a fee on bags was that it would generate money for river clean-up efforts, and thus provide funding during challenging fiscal times.

Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010

Chesapeake Currents|online, Summer 2010

Last fall and winter, Clean Water Fund worked with local allies in Prince William and Loudoun Counties to hold workshops on 21st Century approaches to managing our water resources. This fall, we will be organizing follow-up workshops that explore ways in which reducing water waste, including water re-use and other money-saving techniques, will help communities to develop sustainable water management practices.

Stories in this issue:

• Mixed News On The Water Bond!, page 1
• Unveiling Toxic Secrets, page 2
• Letter from the President, page 3
• Upstream Solutions, page 4
• Big Oil Attacks Climate Change, page 5
• Clean Water: Now and For the Future, page 6
• Blugirl Art, page 7
• Clean Water Blog, page 7
• CA Legislative Update, page 8

California Clean Water Currents, Summer 2010 (pdf, 2.2 MB)

Risks to Public Health and Water Resources

Carbon Capture and Storage Overview

Source: State of Michigan Executive Budget, FY2011

Michigan sells its natural beauty to the rest of the country through its "Pure Michigan" tourism campaign. Michigan has a long history of environmental and conservation innovation and leadership. Unfortunately, in recent years, that dedication has weakened, and investment has faded.

Source: University of Notre Dame's Center for Aquatic Conservation

Located in the center of the planet's greatest freshwater resource, Michigan has a unique role as steward and caretaker of the majestic Great Lakes. They contain almost 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water, and Michigan is the only state entirely within their basin. The rivers, streams, ponds and groundwater that are the Lakes' lifeblood are also the backbone of the Michigan economy, essential to the health of its ecosystems and vital to our very identity as Michiganders. Unfortunately, our water resources are at continuing risk.

Michigan is only as strong as its next generation. That's why Michigan legislators must be forceful advocates for the health and safety of children, especially children in economically disadvantaged areas who are typically exposed to higher levels of pollutants.

This can be accomplished through laws limiting chemicals and pollutants linked to afflictions like childhood asthma, obesity, autism, learning disabilities and cancers.

Many of our laws and protections, however, are outdated, ineffective and have not kept pace with a new generation of scientific and health research.