REAUTHORIZING THE CLEAN-WATER-ACT - LOOKING TO TANGIBLE VALUES

The degree of progress achieved under the 1972 Clean Water Act is revi ewed by reference to traditional measures of program implementation, a nd to evidence of tangible, or ''real-world'' progress, such as beach closures, drinking water contamination, fishing bans and advisories, s pecies health, and habitat degradation. Significant progress has been made in reducing pollution from point sources, but large point source releases of toxic and other pollutants remain. Little progress has bee n made in addressing runoff pollution, and in protecting aquatic habit ats. Clean Water Act reauthorization should focus on pollution prevent ion to reduce further the release of toxics by point sources, a new pr ogram of mandatory but flexible controls on sources of runoff, and wat ershed protection programs to promote habitat protection and restorati on. Economic factors should be considered in Clean Water Act programs, but must be balanced against scientific and governmental factors as w ell.