Matt Doll, Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Earlier this month, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 3898, named the “PERMIT Act” by its authors but more accurately known as the “Dirty Water Bill” by the environmental community. If passed by the Senate and signed by the President, it would result in significant rollbacks to clean water protections, including the Clean Water Act, around the country.
MEP covered this bill in July. More detail can be found in that column, but the upshot is that the bill would:
- Reduce the ability of states and tribes to protect their waters.
- Curtail the power of the EPA and other agencies to use accurate science on water issues.
- Open the door for vast increases in wetland destruction and environmental pollution at a time when our waters already face significant challenges.
The Dirty Water Bill is one of the most significant attacks on the Clean Water Act’s authority since its passage 53 years ago. Perhaps members of Congress have forgotten the Cuyahoga River catching fire or the poisoning of waters like Lake Erie. Perhaps they are ignorant of the fact that wetlands are a key part of flood control and carbon capture, both issues of extreme importance as climate change continues. Perhaps they are unconcerned by the growth of pollutants like microplastics, PFAS forever chemicals, and other cancer-causing chemicals in our drinking water.
Whatever the case, cutting these protections would enrich only certain companies at the expense of the rest of us, especially those downstream. Waters like the Gulf of Mexico could see worsening “dead zones” every year as increased nutrient pollution washes down major rivers. Tribal communities like the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, threatened by sulfide mining, would have fewer options to protect themselves.
Americans are overwhelmingly not supportive of these changes. Recent polling by the Walton Family Foundation shows that 94% of Americans view protecting our nation’s surface water as important. The Water Over Nickel initiative’s 2025 polling shows similar results in Minnesota.
Fortunately, there is still a chance to halt this polluting bill before it reaches America’s waters.
While H.R. 3893 passed the House on a voice vote (after months of recesses and negotiations over the government shutdown), it did not pass overwhelmingly. Six Democrats joined all but one Republican in approving the bill, making the vote 221-205 in favor. The Minnesota U.S. House delegation also voted along party lines, with Democrats opposing and Republicans supporting this legislation. The similarly closely-divided U.S. Senate will also have to vote on the legislation before it can move forward.
We urge our followers in Minnesota to call or write your U.S. Senators and thank them for standing up for clean water and to strongly oppose this bill. Let them know how important you think it is that we secure healthy waters for ourselves and for future generations.