Washington, DC –The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is set to release a proposed rule that would significantly reduce the scope of streams and wetlands protected by the Clean Water Act.

Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, issued the following statement:

“Healthy streams and wetlands are essential for people and wildlife. This action will significantly roll back Clean Water Act protections—allowing a few to cut corners while increasing the risks to wildlife and to the drinking water for millions of Americans.

“At a time when communities from the Great Lakes to the Gulf are facing water crises, we call upon the Administration to listen to the millions of Americans who are demanding stronger clean water protections and rescind this misguided proposal which ignores basic science and makes it easier to damage our streams and wetlands and pollute our drinking water.”