EDITOR:

I want to clear up the scare tactics in Dale McNamee's Oct. 9 letter to the editor about the Clean Water Act. First, Mr. McNamee's concern is premature given no legislation on this issue has been introduced this year, and therefore there was no House vote on Oct. 15.

On Oct.15 the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure simply held a hearing to look at the adequacy of state and federal enforcement of the Clean Water Act. The hearing investigated whether states and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have effectively used the enforcement tools at their disposal in responding to violations of the Clean Water Act. These are important issues that deserve consideration.

In May 2007 I co-sponsored H.R. 2421, the Clean Water Restoration Act, introduced by Congressman James Oberstar (D-MN). This bi-partisan bill, which has not been reintroduced in 2009, would restore long-standing rules to protect smaller bodies of water such as creeks, ponds, streams and wetlands. These protections were in place for more than 30 years until two split decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2001 and 2006 called into question whether the Clean Water Act applied to small bodies of water that are not part of a "navigable" waterway. Because of these decisions, in 2008 the EPA estimated that 53 to 59 percent of the total length of streams in the United States may no longer be subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act.

Streams, creeks, and wetlands serve as important natural filters that help preserve the quality of water that we depend on for drinking, recreation, and wildlife habitat. The consequences for our drinking water, outdoor recreation, and the Great Lakes are serious. H.R. 2421 would have clarified the jurisdiction of the federal government in dealing with water pollution by re-establishing Congress' original intent that the Clean Water Act should protect the quality of all water.

The bill also re-affirmed current policies that exempt mining, logging and other activities that are not regulated by the Clean Water Act. This legislation was endorsed by more than 300 organizations, including Ducks Unlimited, Trout Unlimited and several other sporting associations, boating groups and civic organizations.

We must remember when it comes to our waterways, nothing happens in isolation. What happens to our wetlands, streams and ponds eventually finds its way into our Great Lakes. I believe it is important we do all we can to protect the Great Lakes for future generations to come.

A few moments of research by Mr. McNamee would have put many of his concerns to rest. Our water resources should not be squandered for the benefit of special interests. And I will continue to work to ensure robust protections are once again contained in the Clean Water Act.

Bart Stupak, U.S. Representative

First Congressional District