Supreme Court decision puts future of Clean Water Act in jeopardy

Over the summer months, the newly reconfigured U.S. Supreme Court handed down its first major environmental decision on two cases related to the federal Clean Water Act, one of the nation’s cornerstone environmental laws.

Unfortunately, instead of reaffirming the goals of the Clean Water Act—to protect our nation’s pristine waterways and to put our polluted lakes, rivers and streams on the road to recovery—the Supreme Court justices issued a decision that left the door open for more litigation to challenge the Act, and gave the Bush administration the ability to continue allowing waterways and wetlands to be destroyed.

“Based on the Court’s decision, Congress must move swiftly to pass the Clean Water Authority Restoration Act,” said PennEnvironment Director David Masur. “We need our elected officials to reaffirm the original intent of the Clean Water Act to protect all waterways in Pennsylvania and the U.S.”

Philadelphia City Council passes smoking ban

After nearly five years of legislative hemming and hawing, Philadelphia City Council finally passed the Smoke-free Workplace legislation by a narrow vote of 9-6.

PennEnvironment applauded City Council for approving this important legislation, which will not only help to protect the city's residents but also protect workers in Philadelphia's burgeoning hospitality industry. The legislation bans smoking in most public places including the majority of bars and restaurants, and it is expected to be particularly beneficial to Philadelphians who suffer from asthma and other respiratory ailments, as well as the city's youth and elderly who are more vulnerable to air pollution.

PennEnvironment’s staff and members helped to bolster the work of the public health community in Philadelphia, sending thousands of e-mails to city council offices calling for action, submitting letters to local newspapers and lobbying council members to support the initiative.

Allegheny management plan leaves something to be desired

As the U.S. Forest Service proposed its newest forest management plan for Pennsylvania’s only national forest, many in the environmental community were disappointed to find that the Forest Service only proposed full protection for a handful of wilderness areas in the Allegheny.

“Allegheny National Forest is home to threatened and endangered species and headwaters that supply residents downstream with clean drinking water,” stated PennEnvironment Director David Masur. “We need to make sure that we have the greatest protections possible for the Allegheny’s remaining wild places.”