Trump Is Handing Over Our Water to Corporate Polluters

Today, the Trump administration announced the repeal of the Obama-era Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule and its replacement with one that will leave more than 50 percent of US wetlands and nearly 20 percent of our rivers and streams unprotected.

In response, Food & Water Action Executive Director Wenonah Hauter issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision from the Trump administration can be summarized in four words: no more clean water. Without a strong Water rule, a wide array of our nation’s most precious water resources, which provide drinking water for more than 117 million residents in our country, will no longer be protected from pollution. 

“Without protections in place, the expansive and insatiable agricultural businesses that run factory farms across our country will not bat an eye when it comes to releasing waste and pollutants into our vital drinking water resources. Unfettered profits will be the law of the land now, rather than the protection of the human right to clean and safe water. Today’s announcement renders Trump’s oft-repeated claims of being ‘committed to crystal clean water for our nation,’ yet another disingenuous mockery. 

“The only incentive to gut water protections like this is to create a safe haven for agrochemical industrial interests against the wellbeing of public and environmental health. It’s no accident that today’s announcement was made during an event at the National Association of Manufacturers, an anti-regulatory, anti-climate group that has found a pro-pollution partner-in-crime in the White House. Three cheers to our nation’s worst polluters - enjoy your newly unregulated agenda to profit from destroying our water. We’ll be here fighting to protect clean and safe water for all, against such irresponsible and foolish corporate kickbacks.”

###