Environment America report: "Wasting Our Waterways"

Environment America report: "Wasting Our Waterways"

Environment America's fall report "Wasting Our Waterways: Toxic Industrial Pollution and the Unfulfilled Promise of the Clean Water Act" points a severe finger towards Gulf Region water health. The Mississippi River, the Alabama River, and the Brazos River (TX) were among the worst in the country in terms of toxic discharges, and were included in the top worst 20 rivers in the country in terms of "Cancer-Causing Chemicals" discharges. The report complements GRN's summer-released water report card, and it could not be clearer that Gulf States need to "Clean Up [Their] Act!" A compelling aspect of Environment America's report is how it highlights the human-felt impacts caused by industrial pollution in our waters. It's really not just the whales anymore-it's us.

Comments: 8

Col. George W. Nov 6, 2009, 11:36am EST

Rule of thumb, if the environmentalists want it, it's progably not good. That said it seems to me if a factory is discharging chemicals they would be wise to recover them and put them to use.

James A. Nov 6, 2009, 12:14pm EST

You're probably old enough to remember Love Canal in NY and Lake Erie catching fire in the 70s. Environmentalists wanted those areas cleaned up and it's good they got what they wanted. A healthy environment is good for all of us!

Jack E. Nov 6, 2009, 1:19pm EST

Without the environmentalists their would not be a drop of good water left in the country.

Col. George W. Nov 6, 2009, 2:55pm EST

The problem is that they have gone too far in some areas, like here in MT re the national forests. They have turned into a massive lobby but yes they did some good things and no I don't want to see the go, just get some common sense. Stopping logging because of an Owl on the West Coast, Stopping a highway project and forcing putting up elevated roadways for a Frog in Texas, Stopping a guy from building a new home in California because of a Pack Rat. Things like that.

Jack E. Nov 6, 2009, 3:42pm EST

I think they go to far also George when they start driving nails into trees and other stupid things some of them do. All groups have their fanatics unfortunately but the organization does a lot of good.

James A. Nov 6, 2009, 4:53pm EST

George, the Texas frog you mention has its only habitat in the Central Texas area, some 30 miles from where I live. There's no reason we should wipe out a species just because we want to develop some land!

Col. George W. Nov 6, 2009, 4:57pm EST

The environmentalists have more than their share. Now they go to court to stop the forest service from thinning out diseased trees. They die and turn into a big torch when lightning strikes. It has burned a few hundred thousand acres just here in MT. I don't know about other states but they have the same problem with pine beetles as we have.

In this state Environmentalist and Tree Hugger are cuss words.

Col. George W. Nov 6, 2009, 4:59pm EST

Spoken like a true environmentalist James. It would not have wiped them out. Might have trimmed them down but would not have wiped them out.

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Environment America report: "Wasting Our Waterways"

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