For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 18, 2002
Year of Clean Water, 2002-2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On October 18, 2002, our Nation marks the 30th anniversary of the
Clean Water Act and begins the Observance of the Year of Clean Water.
This landmark environmental legislation has been central to the
important progress we have made as a Nation in improving the quality of
our drinking water and the health of our waters, wetlands, and
watersheds. During this time, we renew our commitment to building on
these successes and to developing new approaches and partnerships to
meet our environmental challenges.
The Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974
have helped our citizens enjoy one of the safest and cleanest water
supplies in the world. Under the Clean Water Act, the Federal
Government has provided more than $80 billion in wastewater assistance
to the States and localities. This fundamentally important investment
has ensured that 165 million citizens now benefit from modern sewage
treatment, up from 86 million in 1968. The important advances in waste
water treatment since the Clean Water Act's passage constitute one of
the major achievements in modern American public health.
In the last 30 years, the overall health of our marine waters,
lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands has also dramatically improved.
The Federal Government has cooperated with States, tribes, local
communities, businesses, and concerned individuals to reduce
significantly all forms of water pollution, making our waters better
suited for recreation and other pursuits and more hospitable to aquatic
life. Recent studies show that we are close to achieving our goal of
halting overall wetlands loss, and we are hopeful that in the near
future we will begin increasing the overall function and value of our
wetlands. As we look to the challenges ahead, the Clean Water Act will
be an important mainstay and tool for further progress.
As part of our Nation's long-term commitment to protecting our
environment and natural resources, we must continue to focus on cleaner
air, water, and land; healthier citizens, and vibrant ecosystems. We
will continue to collaborate with private organizations, landowners,
and all levels of government to encourage the development of new
technologies and innovative approaches to protecting our environment.
Through policies and programs that recognize regional differences,
employ market forces, and empower individuals to be good stewards of
the earth, we can and will meet the environmental challenges of the
future.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States
of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution
and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim the year beginning
October 18, 2002, as the Year of Clean Water in commemoration of the
30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. I call upon all Americans to
observe this year with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and
activities, and to join in setting good examples of environmental
steward-ship in our daily lives.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth
day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-seventh.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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