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Clean
Water Act is perfect storm
Bill Kennedy
Capital
Press Opinion
The Capital Press is doing a great job of keeping producers informed
about our water issues. These issues are usually focused on water
quantities.
More so today, we have a need to pay attention to what is going on with
the Clean Water Act and our water quality.
No one argues about how important clean water is.
The concern is in regards to the interpretation and use of the Clean
Water Act.
Western irrigators have taken time to foster meaningful relationships
with environmental groups who are truly interested in enhancing our
environment.
Some of the initial meetings have been in court. Soon after which people
on all sides of the issues see opportunities to make progress on the
land instead of obstructing progress by judicial actions.
Today, the extreme environmental groups, who claim to care about clean
water and healthy ecosystems, have to decide if they want to continue in
court or actually make a difference on the land.
The Clean Water Act is being positioned to create the perfect storm of
environmental disasters.
The use of the total maximum daily load process and implementation of
water quality management plans has potential to shut down our western
economies in the courts.
While court action may result in tremendous fundraising for the
anti-irrigation advocates, the same court action will certainly be a
disaster for our wildlife and our communities.
The extreme environmentalists are finding themselves left out of any
process of collaboration.
More common today are efforts by historical advisories to walk together
and create action plans for healthy streams, vibrant habitat and strong
economies.
This does not include the extremes.
Our governments need to use care and caution when they implement
legislation like the Clean Water Act.
Bill Kennedy,
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Source: http://www.capitalpress.info/main.asp?Search=1&Article
ID=33410&SectionID=75&SubSectionID=&S=1