Commitment to Clean Water

The Obama Administration released a national Clean Water Framework on April 27, 2011, that affirms its comprehensive commitment to protecting the health of America's waters. The framework recognizes the importance of clean water and healthy watersheds to our economy, environment and communities, and emphasizes the importance of partnerships and coordination with states, local communities, stakeholders, and the public to protect public health and water quality, and promote the nation’s energy and economic security.

The Obama Administration is designing and deploying innovative policies, programs and initiatives to directly address today's clean water challenges. These approaches include:

• Promoting Innovative Partnerships
  Federal agencies are partnering with states, tribes, local governments and diverse stakeholders on innovative approaches to restore urban waters, promote sustainable water supplies, and develop new incentives for farmers to protect clean water.
• Enhancing Communities and Economies by Restoring Important Water Bodies
  The Obama Administration is dedicating unprecedented attention to restoring iconic places like the Chesapeake Bay, California Bay-Delta, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico and Everglades, investing in action and helping states, local governments and stakeholders find pollution control solutions that are tailored to their specific needs.
• Innovating for More Water-Efficient Communities
  The Administration is working with policymakers, consumers, farmers and businesses to save water – and save money – through 21st century water management policies and technology.
• Ensuring Clean Water to Protect Public Health
  The Obama Administration is aggressively pursuing new ways to protect public health by reducing contaminants in Americans' drinking water.  This includes action to update drinking water standards, protect drinking water sources, modernize the tools available to communities to meet their clean water requirements, and provide affordable clean water services in rural communities.
• Enhancing Use and Enjoyment of our Waters
  The Administration is promoting stewardship of America's waters through innovative programs and partnerships.  These efforts include expanding access to waterways for recreation, protecting rural landscapes, and promoting public access to private lands for hunting, fishing and other recreational activities.
• Updating the Nation's Water Policies
  The Administration is strengthening protection of America's waters and American communities.  This includes action to modernize water resources guidelines, and update Federal guidance on where the Clean Water Act applies nationwide.  The draft guidance from U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will protect waters that many communities depend upon for drinking, swimming, and fishing, and provide clearer, more predictable guidelines for determining which water bodies are protected from pollution under the Clean Water Act.
• Supporting Science to Solve Water Problems
  The Administration is using the latest science and research to improve water policies and programs and identify and address emerging pollution challenges. 

Read the Obama Administration’s Clean Water Framework here. 

Read the draft Clean Water Act guidance from U.S. EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at:  http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/guidance/wetlands/CWAwaters.cfm