[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 54 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E523]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CLINTON RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL CELEBRATES FORTY YEARS

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                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 16, 2012

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Clinton 
River Watershed Council as it celebrates 40 years of making a positive 
difference to the Clinton River and its watershed.
  Forty years ago, the Clinton River was a very different waterway than 
it is today. Decades of uncontrolled dumping of industrial wastewater 
and raw sewage had taken a huge environmental toll on water quality in 
the river. There were no fish to speak of in the river, and certainly 
none that you would care to eat. Far from being an asset to the 
communities along its banks, the Clinton River was slowly dying.
  That might have been the end of the story except for two key 
developments in 1972. The first was the passage of the Clean Water Act 
which spelled out ambitious programs for water quality improvement. The 
second key development was the formation of the Clinton River Watershed 
Council. Both of these had a profound impact on water quality in the 
Clinton River.
  Passage of the Clean Water Act 40 years ago was one of the most 
important environmental milestones in our nation's history. It marked a 
fundamental change in how our nation views and manages water in this 
country. After decades of polluting the Great Lakes and their 
tributaries--including the Clinton River--we finally recognized that 
healthy rivers and lakes are vital to the health of our communities, 
and we required that steps be taken to restore them.
  The formation of the Clinton River Watershed Council marked another 
important turning point. It takes time and resources to undo decades of 
pollution and neglect, and still more time for an ecosystem to heal. 
Restoring an urban waterway like the Clinton River is especially 
complicated. I am convinced that the effort to heal the Clinton River 
has gone much faster because it had advocates to coordinate action and 
focus attention and resources. Thanks to the work of the Clinton River 
Watershed Council and its members and member units of government, real 
progress is being made on water quality, and once again the Clinton 
River is being used for fishing, canoeing, and hiking. The Council's 
efforts in the areas of watershed management, stewardship and education 
have also had a tangible, positive impact.
  There was a time when we turned our backs to our rivers and lakes. 
Today, we know better. As the hard-won progress in the Clinton River 
and Lake St. Clair shows, waterfront development is a real generator of 
economic activity and a one-of-a-kind asset to communities.
  We need to build on the progress that has been made in the Clinton 
River Watershed as well as Lake St. Clair. This absolutely requires a 
partnership of effort by Federal, State, and local governments, as well 
as local stakeholders and advocacy groups. It also means a continued 
commitment of resources from the Federal Government, especially when it 
comes to funding the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Now is not the 
time to cut funding for this vital initiative. Congress and the Obama 
Administration must also work to clarify and restore long-standing 
Clean Water Act protections for U.S. streams, wetlands, and other 
waters.
  But the real work of completing the restoration of the Clinton River 
will continue to be done by groups like the Clinton River Watershed 
Council and the many volunteers and sponsors that support their 
efforts. The Watershed Council's work underscores the value that a 
healthy Clinton River holds for our citizens and communities. I ask all 
of my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Clinton River Watershed 
Council as it begins its fifth decade of work to protect, enhance and 
celebrate the Clinton River and its watershed.

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