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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN AND RESTORE THE UNITED STATES CLEAN WATER ACT
WHEREAS, the Clean Water Act is the fundamental federal law protecting the waters of the United States from pollution, degradation and destruction; and
WHEREAS, the United States' Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers have proposed regulations to improve the Clean Water Act; and
WHEREAS, Cook County includes numerous navigable waters, including the Chicago River, Calumet River, Des Plaines River and the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal; and
WHEREAS, critical streams and wetlands which supply drinking water, protect against floods and filter pollution were previously protected under the Clean Water Act but federal policy changes over the last decade have left these streams and wetlands vulnerable to degradation or destruction; and
WHEREAS, these vulnerable waters of the United States impact sources of drinking water for over 117 million Americans, including more than 1.68 million Illinoisans; and
WHEREAS, strong federal standards are needed because our water systems crisscross our cities, states and countries and the actions of each affects the others; and
WHEREAS, the overwhelming weight of scientific evidence has confirmed that headwater streams and wetlands significantly affect the quantity and quality of water in larger bodies of water downstream and provide a wide variety of beneficial ecosystem services, including protection from flooding; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers have proposed a rule to restore protection for streams and wetlands previously protected under the Clean Water Act, safeguarding water quality in the nation's waters, protecting jobs in businesses that depend on clean water and safeguarding drinking water for one in three Americans; and
WHEREAS, the proposed regulations would greatly improve the quality of water through...
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