MichiganRadio

Congressional Bill Aims To Restore Wetlands Protection GRAND RAPIDS, MI (Michigan Radio) - Michigan Congressmen Vern Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids) and John Dingell (D-Dearborn) are helping to introduce a bill that restores wetland protections in federal law.

The bill is called the Clean Water Restoration Act.

It replaces the term "navigable waters of the United States" to include all waters for protection under the Clean Water Act of 1972.

Abby Rubley is a field director for the non-profit group Environment Michigan.

She says it's long overdue.

"It does clarify any confusion in the Clean Water Act and says all waters in the United States are under jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act and must be protected in that manner."

The U.S. Supreme Court made the distinction of "navigable waters" in 2001, which environmentalists say left wetlands vulnerable to pollution.
© Copyright 2012, Michigan Radio