Clean Water Act

 As a current URI Senior studying Political Science and Environmental Economics and Natural Policy, I care deeply about environmental and wildlife conservation. The beaches and waters in Rhode Island not only increase quality of life and economics activity in the state, but these beautiful natural treasures are the homes for numerous wildlife species that depend on clean water. With the current loopholes in the Clean Water Act, small steams and wetlands that feed into Narraganset Bay are left unprotected and at risk.

A recent scientific report conducted by the EPA connected pollution in smaller bodies of water to the larger bodies of water downstream. Taking a step back, this conclusion is commonsense. There is no way we can protect the Bay and its wildlife if we don’t start by simply protecting the smaller bodies of water and wetlands upstream. As a student, as a environmentalist, and most importantly as someone who loves the Bay, I applaud Rhode Island's Congressmen Langevin and Cicilline for signing a letter to the EPA about closing these polluter-friendly loopholes in the Clean Water Act.