House Passes Representative Angie Craig’s Bipartisan Legislation to Reduce Water Pollution

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the Local Water Protection Act, authored by U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (D-MN) and Brian Mast (R-FL), passed the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support. The legislation aims to reduce water pollution in local communities by reauthorizing an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant program that provides funds for states to develop and implement programs for managing nonpoint source water pollution, or pollution from diffuse sources including runoff from farms, managed forests and urban areas.

The bill passed the House in the 116th Congress on a wide bipartisan basis and was also included and passed in H.R.2, the Moving Forward Act.

"Our lakes and waterways are critical not only for tourism and transporting agricultural goods, but also to the natural beauty of Minnesota that we're so proud of," said Representative Craig. "I appreciate Representative Mast's continued partnership on the bipartisan Local Water Protection Act to help us renew and increase funding to keep our waters clean and safe for generations to come."

"Not another day should go by where the federal government allows Americans to be poisoned through the water they drink, bathe or swim in," said Representative Mast. "Our bipartisan bill will increase federal support to address pollution and clean up our waterways. I appreciate Congresswoman Craig's leadership in getting this bill passed by the House and look forward to working with her to get it through the Senate!"

Currently, states retain the primary role for addressing nonpoint source water pollution caused by snowmelt and rainfall runoff, which they do largely through voluntary means and financial incentives. However, according to the Governmental Accountability Office (GAO), available incentives have declined recently, leading to increased water pollution. The Local Water Protection Act would reauthorize $200 million annually for the voluntary grant fund to give local and state governments the flexibility to make conservation improvements aimed at decreasing water pollutants through partnerships within their communities.

Companion legislation is led in the U.S. Senate by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Marco Rubio (R-FL).

Earlier today, Representative Craig delivered a speech on the House floor urging her colleagues to support the Local Water Protection Act. You can the full speech here.