Candidates Have Mixed Views on Cleaning Up Water Pollution

Feb. 22, 2000
The League of Conservation Voters have compiled information concerning the leading Republican and Democratic presidential candidates' views on water pollution.

The next president may have to address what is becoming a disturbing trend in states and cities across the United States: a decline in the water quality of many rivers, lakes and streams.

The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) compiled information concerning the leading Republican and Democratic candidates' views on water pollution.

More than 40 percent of U.S. waterways are threatened by pollution, much of which can be traced to polluted runoff from farms, ranches, parking lots and city streets.

Environmentalists support efforts to strengthen the Clean Water Act and create a mandatory and enforceable program to curb such pollution.

However, opponents of a mandatory program say that flexible incentives to curb polluted runoff would be more effective in helping cities and states across the country protect their valuable water resource.

So, where do each of the candidates stand?

Arizona Senator John McCain is the only Republican presidential candidate who has vowed to address the issue of polluted runoff if elected president.

McCain supports a cost-effective program that balances the needs of the agricultural community and other land-based activities with a healthy environment.

While Texas Governor George W. Bush has not directly addressed the issue, his record in Texas suggests that water quality protections will not be one of his top priorities.

According to the Sierra Club, 27 percent of Texas's rivers are considered "swimming impaired" by EPA, while 5 percent cannot support aquatic life.

On the Democratic side, Vice President Al Gore and former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley have both spoken to the issue of polluted runoff.

Gore advocates strengthening the Clean Water Act and significantly increasing investments in clean water programs, while Bradley supports looking at a wide range of solutions for cleaning up runoff.

"It's clear that, as president, Bush would set back decades of efforts to clean up U.S. waterways," said LCV Political Director Betsy Loyless. "On the other hand, while their plans lack specifics, Bradley, Gore and McCain have all acknowledged that polluted runoff is a serious problem."

About the Author

EHS Today Staff

EHS Today's editorial staff includes:

Dave Blanchard, Editor-in-Chief: During his career Dave has led the editorial management of many of Endeavor Business Media's best-known brands, including IndustryWeekEHS Today, Material Handling & LogisticsLogistics Today, Supply Chain Technology News, and Business Finance. In addition, he serves as senior content director of the annual Safety Leadership Conference. With over 30 years of B2B media experience, Dave literally wrote the book on supply chain management, Supply Chain Management Best Practices (John Wiley & Sons, 2021), which has been translated into several languages and is currently in its third edition. He is a frequent speaker and moderator at major trade shows and conferences, and has won numerous awards for writing and editing. He is a voting member of the jury of the Logistics Hall of Fame, and is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Adrienne Selko, Senior Editor: In addition to her roles with EHS Today and the Safety Leadership Conference, Adrienne is also a senior editor at IndustryWeek and has written about many topics, with her current focus on workforce development strategies. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics. Previously she was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck?, which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list.

Nicole Stempak, Managing Editor:  Nicole Stempak is managing editor of EHS Today and conference content manager of the Safety Leadership Conference.

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