Published January 1987 — Download PDF of the original newspaper column
Byrd's-Eye View By U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd Purer Water and Cleaner Rivers for West Virginia Over the last nearly two decades, the American people have made a strong commitment to ridding our streams, rivers, and lakes of toxic wastes and poisonous pollutants. In response to that popular commitment, Congress launched programs to clean up our waterways. In West Virginia, those programs have been translated into building community wastewater and sewerage treatment plants, correcting acid drainage from many abandoned mines, and ending much industrial discharge into streams. The job of cleaning up our streams and lakes is not finished, however. Knowing that, I joined my colleagues in the United States Senate and House of Representatives last year in the unanimous passage of the Water Quality Act of 1986. Unfortunately, against the advice of members of his own party leaders, the President "pocket vetoed" that bill; that is, he failed to sign it after Congress had adjourned last October. Because that legislation is so vital to progress toward better water quality across our country and in West Virginia, I joined in introducing an identical bill; the Water Quality Act of 1987 on the opening day of the 100th Congress. Without quick enactment of such legislation, construction of many sewerage treatment plants will halt, millions of dollars already spent on such construction might be lost, industries and towns facing cleanup deadlines could be fined for breaking environmental regulations, and the water from many of our lakes and streams would be left polluted. The Clean Water legislation, on the other hand, will ensure that several West Virginia communities will be able to finish work on wastewater construction projects already approved or underway. Experience has shown that communities with sewerage and wastewater treatment systems are more likely to attract and hold new industries and businesses, and that such assets are essential if West Virginia's economy is to improve and if more jobs are to be created in our state. In addition, this bill will encourage the cleanup of stream pollution from abandoned mines in West Virginia. Both Republican and Democratic Senators cosponsored this new water quality bill, the result of over five years of research, testimony, and debate. Prospects for its passage in the Senate look good. I hope that the Administration will join in this effort to continue improving the quality of our waterways. At stake for thousands of West Virginians and millions of Americans are cleaner rivers, streams, and lakes, for recreation, drinking, and commerce for generations to come. January 14, 1987