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March 9, 2015 Letter to the Editor

Waterway pollution a serious CT issue

Dear Editor:

As the debate over new stormwater rules continues in Connecticut, as described in your recent article “After municipal outcry, DEEP revises stormwater rules,” the issue of waterway pollution is getting more and more attention. And rightfully so.

It is important to keep in mind that while stormwater runoff is a major contributor to waterway degradation, pollution from point sources such as manufacturing and energy plants is also doing its share of damage.

Last week, Environment America released a report titled “Polluting Politics,” which establishes a link between some of the nation's largest polluters, and their enormous lobbying expenditures and campaign contributions.

While the 10 biggest polluters in the nation alone were found to have dumped over 90 million tons of toxic pollutants in 2012, the report also found that these same polluters spent more than $53 million on lobbying and $9.4 million on campaign funding for candidates in 2014. These industries are not just muddling our waters, but they are muddling our politics as well.

The Clean Water Act is the bedrock piece of legislation responsible for keeping our nation's waterways safe and we must support the EPA's proposed rule to close loopholes in this act that would protect more than 3,000 miles of streams in Connecticut alone. While the stormwater debate will continue, Connecticut residents should voice their support for the clean water rule because it is one finite step that we can agree on.

Sincerely,

Jack Braun Environment Connecticut

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