While the Clean Water Act has done a great deal to restore our waterways, there is still a lot left to do to fully implement the act at the state and local level. Additionally, challenges like climate change were not envisioned when the law was created, and Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities are unjustly burdened by pollution and largely left out of the success stories. Let’s work together for better clean water laws for our communities. The CWA50 campaign is working on the state and local levels to improve the implementation of the Clean Water Act. Our advocacy priorities include:

• Ensure environmental justice and public empowerment
• Plan for climate impacts to waterways
• Demand corporate accountability for toxics and waste in water
• Promote strong enforcement of environmental laws
• Invest in healthy waterways, ecosystems, and sustainable local economies

Waterkeepers Chesapeake’s policy priorities for the Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania legislative sessions focus on enforcement, climate, equity and justice, public access, participation and notification, and sustainable local agriculture. Our overarching priority is strengthening states’ implementation and enforcement of the federal Clean Water Act. As bills move through the general assemblies, we will share opportunities for you to take action. We will also share other advocacy opportunities throughout the year to strength and protect our rights under the Clean Water Act. Follow our social media and sign up for our newsletter to keep up to date.