Groups Pleased Omnibus Allows Clean Water Rule to Move Forward
December 16, 2015 (Washington)—Today, congressional negotiators unveiled a spending bill for the coming year. Organizations supporting hunting, angling and fisheries science were pleased to see that the bill does not include a rider to block or delay a rule restoring Clean Water Act protections to smaller streams and adjacent wetlands. The National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, American Fly Fishing Trade Association, Izaak Walton League, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and the American Fisheries Society issued the following statement:
“As hunters, anglers and scientists, we care deeply about America’s streams and wetlands and we have long been working to restore lost Clean Water Act protections to these waters. This rule is a benefit to the American people: It protects drinking water, safeguards fish and wildlife habitat and helps the economy as a whole. Nearly a million Americans commented in support of the rule. We are confident the rule will ultimately become the law of the land and we are grateful to the clean water champions in the Administration and on the Hill for getting us to this point.”
View the full joint press release here: 2015-12-16_Omnibus Statement.