Iowa Environmental Groups Oppose Bill To Weaken Clean Water Act

(Des Moines, IA) -- A coalition of fourteen Iowa environmental groups is warning that a new bill in Congress would worsen the state's water quality crisis.

The groups sent a letter to Iowa's congressional delegation to oppose the PERMIT Act, a bill that would narrow which waters are covered by the Clean Water Act. They argue the bill would remove protections from many waterways, leading to more pollution and higher water treatment costs.

Supporters of the Republican-led bill say it cuts red tape and streamlines the review process for infrastructure projects. The act is currently on the House calendar to be voted on when Congress returns next week.