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The US Supreme court in two decisions in 2001 and 2006, issued rulings that narrowed the scope of the Clean Water Act of 1972 so that it only applied to what are called “navigable waters.” Now, a House committee chairman introduced new legislation just yesterday that would overturn those rulings and restore the intent of the original law. Democrat James Oberstar of Minnesota, who is Chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was joined by Michigan Republican Congressman Vernon Ehlers in introducing the bill, called the America’s Commitment to Clean Water Act. The Senate already passed its version of the act last year. Former President George W Bush began undermining key aspects of the 1972 Clean Water Act through administrative edicts, stripping the enforcement authority of the Environment Protection Agency to protect the nation’s water supplies. Even though the current move to restore the act to its original intent is bi-partisan, many Republican leaders are denouncing the effort as “an unjustified expansion of federal authority.” But environmental groups are urging Americans and their elected officials to take a step on Earth Day to support the Act as a way of protecting waterways.

GUEST: Joan Mulhern, Senior Legislative Counsel for Earthjustice

For more information about HR 5088, visit www.earthjustice.org.