President Trump has announced the Environmental Protection Agency or EPA, will begin rolling back regulation from the Obama administration known as the Waters of the United States.”
In a joint statement, Senators Johnny Isakson and David Perdue are praising the move, calling it a victory for farmers, the agriculture industry, ranchers, businesses and landowners.
Jennette Gayer is the director of Environment Georgia. She says the move was expected.
“I suppose it is not a surprise, but it is very disappointing to hear that the clean water rule that was finalized under the Obama administration is being essentially thrown out,” according to Gayer.
She says the decision means a lack of certainty when it comes to protections.
“The biggest thing the Clean Water Act does, or did, is that it worked to clarify protections for small streams and wetlands.
Gayer explains what it means for Peach State residents.
“To give you a sense of what it means for Georgia, 57% of streams fell into this category of small streams that may or may not be protected by the Clean Water Act. Those small streams feed into the rivers and lakes where we pull drinking water, so millions of Georgians get drinking water from these water bodies that may or may not be protected.”
Gayer says recent progress may be lost.