15 attorneys general speak out in opposition of Trump’s move to limit federal authority under the Clean Water Act
Attorneys general from 14 states and the District of Columbia have responded to the public comment period opposing the Trump administration’s proposal to roll back a regulation called Waters of the United States. In their comments, the Attorneys general said that the move would end federal oversight of 15 percent of streams and more than half of the wetlands across the country. The Trump administration’s proposal would limit the federal government’s ability to regulate pollution allowed in the nation’s wetlands and the tributaries that empty into the country’s largest rivers and would be a major boon to builders, coal miners and frackers.
Advocacy group releases list of the 10 most endangered rivers in the U.S.
The advocacy group American Rivers has released their annual list of the country’s most endangered rivers. Selections for the list are made primarily on upcoming legislation that could threaten the health of the rivers. Other factors that are used to select the most endangered rivers include the significance of the river to communities and the threat to the river caused by climate change. This year’s most endangered rivers are:
10. Stikine River, Alaska
9. Big Darby Creek, Ohio
8. Buffalo National River, Arkansas
7. South Fork Salmon River, Idaho
6. Chilkat River, Alaska
5. Willamette River, Oregon
4. Green-Duwamish River, Washington
3. Upper Mississippi River in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri
2. Hudson River, New York
1. Gila River, New Mexico
American Rivers has also named the Cuyahoga River in Ohio the “River of the Year” because of the progress that has been made in cleaning up the waterway, which was once so polluted that it famously caught on fire. American Rivers has been compiling an annual list of endangered rivers since 1984.
Teen Climate Leader Alexandria Villasenor to speak in Fairfax, Va at Mother’s Day Climate Rally
The Third Annual Mother’s Day Rally, the largest gathering of climate and social justice groups in Northern Virginia, will feature a keynote from the youth climate leader Alexandria Villasenor. The 13-year-old gained attention by striking every Friday on a park bench in New York, right in front of the United Nations headquarters. She then led the US Youth Climate Strike, mobilizing the U.S. arm of the 1.6-million student strike around the world to demand action on climate change. The family-friendly Mother’s Day Rally will feature music, inspiring speakers and kids’ activities and will be held on Sunday, May 5 from 2pm-3:30pm at Veterans Amphitheater outside of Fairfax City Hall.
