June 4, 2012

USCM President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa:

"This year we proudly and enthusiastically celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act, a landmark law that has led to profound and positive improvements in one of our most precious natural resources: water – the water we drink, the water that feeds our crops, the water that flows through our streams and rivers and nourishes our natural environment.

"For more than 40 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has stood with communities across the country as a stalwart steward of a cleaner environment and a strong guardian of public health.

"We applaud the EPA’s and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson’s continued leadership and cooperation with mayors to champion a safe and clean environment across the country. We are thankful for the EPA’s crucial support to make needed water infrastructure improvements and pollution prevention efforts.

"Today as we celebrate the Clean Water Act’s 40th anniversary, we stand with a renewed commitment to protect one of our most precious natural resources. We are reminded of the crucial importance of conservation, not just for the health of the environment but for the health and prosperity of the country as a whole. In the words of Teddy Roosevelt, ‘The movement for the conservation of wildlife and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method.’

"The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, under the leadership of Administrator Lisa Jackson, has worked in partnership with the City of Philadelphia and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on a state-of-the-art stormwater management system that will save billions of taxpayer dollars. The EPA signed an historic agreement allowing Philadelphia to implement Green City, Clean Waters, our city’s 25 year, $2 billion plan to invest in stormwater infrastructure. This plan creates affordable, green solutions that will uphold important quality standards set forth under the Clean Water Act.

"Reflecting on the 40th Anniversary of this legislation, we are reminded how vital it is to protect our water sources now and for future generations.

"The EPA and Administrator Jackson have been stalwart partners with cities across the nation as we work to build a more competitive and more sustainable America. I applaud their collaboration with cities and municipalities to create the green infrastructure that will be a foundation for our nation’s growth for decades to come."

"Baltimore has been working very closely with EPA headquarters and our regional administrators on a variety of issues which affect our citizens. I have been extraordinarily impressed by the cooperative and professional conduct of EPA and the great progress that we have made together. As a mother and a Mayor, I don’t want to see a rollback of all the laws, which were designed to protect us from the environmental conditions of the past. That is why I appreciate the monumental efforts put forth by this EPA leadership to enforce these laws while at the same time offering a new integrated planning framework. Integrated planning holds the promise for cities like Baltimore by giving flexibility to customize and invest in projects that will result in the greatest environmental gains first. Working in partnership we will find the best solutions in meeting our environmental responsibilities."