Midwest Environmental Advocates

Introduction – Using the Law for Clean Water

Streams and rivers in Wisconsin are protected through a state and federal regulatory scheme designed to eliminate pollution in our public waters. The United States Congress enacted the Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments (“Clean Water Act”) of 1972 to “restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Nation’s waters.”

The Clean Water Act established a national goal of water quality that “provides for the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and provides for recreation in and on the water.” It set a goal that by 1985 the discharge of pollution into public waters would be entirely eliminated. Twenty years later we still have not achieved that goal. It is important to keep the goal of eliminating pollution discharges in mind as we continue to advocate for clean water in Wisconsin.

Midwest Environmental Advocates can teach your group how to implement and enforce the Clean Water Act. For more information, contact Staff Attorney Betsy Lawton.

To read more about Midwest Environmental Advocates' Clean Water Campaign, click here.