[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 38, Number 42 (Monday, October 21, 2002)]
[Pages 1796-1797]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7611--Year of Clean Water, 2002-2003

 October 17, 2002

 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

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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 stewardship 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

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., October 21, 
2002]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on October 18, and it will be published in the Federal 
Register on October 22.