Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement following reports that the Trump Administration would drastically roll back protections for thousands of seasonal streams, small waterways and pristine wetlands currently protected under the Clean Water Act:

“The Trump Administration’s new Dirty Water Rule is an outrageous assault on the clean water that millions of Californians and Americans across the country rely on to grow our food, preserve our diverse ecosystems and protect the health of our children and families. This shameful policy will give polluters free rein to dump pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals directly into waters, threatening the drinking water of 117 million Americans and setting us back decades in our work to clean and protect our nation’s vital water systems.

“The Administration continues to engage in a relentless effort to gut environmental protections and jeopardize the future of our families and our planet. As the existential threat posed by the climate crisis continues to endanger access to clean water and threaten our economy, the Administration should be working with experts, advocates and local communities to strengthen environmental safeguards and ensure that all Americans have the resources they need to combat this growing risk. Yet, with this latest decision, the Administration is ignoring the findings of the EPA’s own scientific advisory board which found no scientific justification for these dangerous new guidelines. Instead, the Administration is doubling down on its corrupt special interest agenda to put the profits of big polluters ahead of the well-being of our communities.

“For 48 years, the Clean Water Act’s landmark protections have defended the life-saving clean water that all Americans rely on. House Democrats will continue to oppose this dangerous, short-sighted rule as well as any other attacks on these essential protections. We are committed to working with partners and allies across the country and around the world to develop innovative, effective solutions to combat the climate crisis, and secure a brighter, more sustainable and healthy future for generations to come.”