If you’ve ever flipped in a rapid, taken a swim, or boated after a solid rain, you already know this: clean water matters. We’re making it easy to take action right now. Tell your reps in Congress what you already know: clean water matters.
Whitewater boaters are immersed in rivers when flows rise—exactly when pollutants are most likely to enter waterways and be flushed downstream. At the same time, dams divert water, often lowering natural flows, degrading water quality, and creating situations where pollutants are found in higher concentrations. When protections are weakened, pollution travels into the rivers where we boat, fish, swim, and build communities around recreation. The Clean Water Act has helped make our rivers safer and cleaner for more than 50 years, but new proposals in Congress threaten to weaken those protections in the name of “permitting reform.”
Some lawmakers are pushing to change the Clean Water Act to make it easier to permit projects that impact rivers, streams, and wetlands by lowering federal and state water quality safeguards. But weakening safeguards and tying the hands of states to protect our rivers isn’t the answer. It will increase risks to public health, outdoor recreation, and the local economies that depend on clean water.
If Congress truly wants to improve permitting, the solution is simple: invest in capacity, not rollbacks. Agencies responsible for reviewing permits need enough trained staff, modern technology, and reliable tools to do their jobs efficiently. Strengthening agency capacity can speed up decisions while maintaining the protections that river runners and communities rely on.
For boaters, this isn’t theoretical. We paddle when rivers rise, when water moves through tributaries and downstream, and when pollution flows with it. Strong clean water protections let us enjoy rivers with confidence, knowing our health is safeguarded and our recreation opportunities are protected—and allow us to pass those experiences on to the next generation.
Take Action Today
Use our easy-action form to send a message to your Members of Congress urging them to protect the integrity of the Clean Water Act and invest in agency capacity instead of weakening safeguards.
Your voice matters. Lawmakers pay attention when they hear directly from constituents—especially people who spend time on the water and understand what’s at stake. If you have an extra moment, please personalize your message. Thank you.
