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REAUTHORIZING THE CLEAN WATER ACT: LOOKING TO TANGIBLE VALUES 1
Author(s) -
Adler Robert W.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1994.tb03329.x
Subject(s) - clean water act , environmental science , surface runoff , nonpoint source pollution , pollution , clean water , watershed , water pollution , environmental planning , pollutant , clean up , habitat , point source pollution , fishing , environmental protection , business , water quality , waste management , fishery , ecology , engineering , computer science , machine learning , biology , chemistry , chromatography , extraction (chemistry)
The degree of progress achieved under the 1972 Clean Water Act is reviewed by reference to traditional measures of program implementation, and to evidence of tangible, or “real‐world” progress, such as beach closures, drinking water contamination, fishing bans and advisories, species health, and habitat degradation. Significant progress has been made in reducing pollution from point sources, but large point source releases of toxic and other pollutants remain. Little progress has been made in addressing runoff pollution, and in protecting aquatic habitats. Clean Water Act reauthorization should focus on pollution prevention to reduce further the release of toxics by point sources, a new program of mandatory but flexible controls on sources of runoff, and watershed protection programs to promote habitat protection and restoration. Economic factors should be considered in Clean Water Act programs, but must be balanced against scientific and governmental factors as well.