Demand that elected officials and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy protect our water.

  • by: Margo Pellegrino
  • recipient: All elected officials, state and federal. Head of USEPA-- Gina McCarthy.

We cannot live without water. It should surprise no one that water is the first thing scientists look for when exploring the possibility of life on other planets.

Because there is simply no life without water, I created this petition, along with a pledge for action, to show our elected officials that our water is not something to take for granted and that we need a plan now to protect and conserve this life-giving resource. We ignore this basic requirement for life at the expense of all the beings that depend on it.

Our lakes, rivers, and ocean provide us food and transportation, enjoyment, and a respite from the stresses of our lives. According to the Outdoor Industry Association’s studies, outdoor recreation benefits the economy to the tune of $646 billion a year. Clearly there is a vibrant water-based recreational economy that is growing rapidly, but it demands clean, healthy water. For our health and our economy, our elected officials and Gina McCarthy, Administrator of the USEPA, should do all in their power to protect it.

I ask that you sign this petition and commit to a pledge to: 

Get out at least once this summer with a conservation or water recreation group on your closest body of water to: boat, paddle, swim, sail, fish, dive, or to just sit by the water and contemplate--however you want to enjoy it, do it!

Commit to vote for water. Study this year's local, state, and federal candidates to see where they stand on protecting clean water, the Clean Water Act, and other key environmental laws. Groups like American Rivers, Environment America, the League of Conservation Voters, and Ocean Champions can help you learn more about where your candidates stand.

Become water active to protect our wetlands, rivers, bays, and ocean. Join a conservation group or make a contribution of money or volunteer time. Start or join a clean water group at your school or raise the issue in your workplace or place of worship, organize meetings and invite your elected representatives, be creative in what you do but GET ACTIVE.

We cannot live without water. It should surprise no one that water is the first thing scientists look for when exploring the possibility of life on other planets.


Because there is simply no life without water, I created this petition, along with a pledge for action, to show our elected officials that our water is not something to take for granted and that we need a plan now to protect and conserve this life-giving resource. We ignore this basic requirement for life at the expense of all the beings that depend on it. 


Our lakes, river, and ocean provide us food and transportation, enjoyment, and a respite from the stresses of our lives. According to the Outdoor Industry Association's studies, outdoor recreation benefits the national economy to the tune of $646 billion a year. Clearly there is a vibrant water-based recreational economy that is growing rapidly, but it demands clean, healthy, water. 


In my paddles around the country I've seen first-hand how towns thrive when they focus on their waterways and create access. Those that ignore their waterways don't. I consistently observed this along the East Coast, West Coast, Gulf Coast, our fourth coast-the Great Lakes, and on the inland bays and canals that connect them. 


Unfortunately, our waterways and our ocean downstream face increasing threats. The corrosive nature of the polluted Flint River that lead to lead poisoning in children showed the nation that our rivers can have a huge impact on our drinking water. Due to aging infrastructure and river water contaminated from many sources, Flint is not the only city facing these issues.


Folks I've met while paddling our nation's waterways have told me about health issues and dirty water, and how they feel the two are connected. The need for clean water isn't partisan; everone cares about their water.


Water needs priority status this election year, especially as our planet overheats from climate change and we become thirstier. It is an economic issue, a public health issue, and an issue of survival for humans and wildlife. 


We need our elected officials and public agency leaders, particularly Gina McCarthy, Adminsitrator of the EPA, to make protecting our water resources a top priority. 


Signers of this petition have also pleged to get out at least once this summer with a conservation or water recreation group on any body of water. They have also commited to vote for water, and to become water active in their personal lives to protect our wetlands, rivers, bays, and ocean.


Thank you for reading this petition, and for your action to protect our water resources. Our lives and economy depend on it.

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