Federal Register: October 22, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 204)
DOCID: FR Doc 02-27025
Presidential Documents
Presidential Documents
NOTICE: PROCLAMATIONS
ACTION: Special observances:
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 64787]]
Proclamation 7611 of October 17, 2002
Year of Clean Water, 2002-2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On October 18, 2002, our Nation marks the 30th
anniversary of the Clean Water Act and begins the
Observance of the Year of Clean Water. This landmark
environmental legislation has been central to the
important progress we have made as a Nation in
improving the quality of our drinking water and the
health of our waters, wetlands, and watersheds. During
this time, we renew our commitment to building on these
successes and to developing new approaches and
partnerships to meet our environmental challenges.
The Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water
Act of 1974 have helped our citizens enjoy one of the
safest and cleanest water supplies in the world. Under
the Clean Water Act, the Federal Government has
provided more than $80 billion in wastewater assistance
to the States and localities. This fundamentally
important investment has ensured that 165 million
citizens now benefit from modern sewage treatment, up
from 86 million in 1968. The important advances in
waste water treatment since the Clean Water Act's
passage constitute one of the major achievements in modern American public health.
In the last 30 years, the overall health of our marine
waters, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands has also
dramatically improved. The Federal Government has
cooperated with States, tribes, local communities,
businesses, and concerned individuals to reduce
significantly all forms of water pollution, making our
waters better suited for recreation and other pursuits
and more hospitable to aquatic life. Recent studies
show that we are close to achieving our goal of halting
overall wetlands loss, and we are hopeful that in the
near future we will begin increasing the overall
function and value of our wetlands. As we look to the
challenges ahead, the Clean Water Act will be an
important mainstay and tool for further progress.
As part of our Nation's long-term commitment to
protecting our environment and natural resources, we
must continue to focus on cleaner air, water, and land;
healthier citizens, and vibrant ecosystems. We will
continue to collaborate with private organizations,
landowners, and all levels of government to encourage
the development of new technologies and innovative
approaches to protecting our environment. Through
policies and programs that recognize regional
differences, employ market forces, and empower
individuals to be good stewards of the earth, we can
and will meet the environmental challenges of the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim the year beginning October
18, 2002, as the Year of Clean Water in commemoration
of the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. I call
upon all Americans to observe this year with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, and
to join in setting good examples of environmental stewardship in our daily lives.
[[Page 64788]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand two, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
(Presidential Sig.)B
[FR Doc. 02-27025
Filed 10-21-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P
SUMMARY:
Year of Clean Water (Proc. 7611),
DOCUMENT BODY:
___________________________________________________________________
Title 3--
The President
[[Page 64787]]
Proclamation 7611 of October 17, 2002
Year of Clean Water, 2002-2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
On October 18, 2002, our Nation marks the 30th
anniversary of the Clean Water Act and begins the
Observance of the Year of Clean Water. This landmark
environmental legislation has been central to the
important progress we have made as a Nation in
improving the quality of our drinking water and the
health of our waters, wetlands, and watersheds. During
this time, we renew our commitment to building on these
successes and to developing new approaches and
partnerships to meet our environmental challenges.
The Clean Water Act of 1972 and the Safe Drinking Water
Act of 1974 have helped our citizens enjoy one of the
safest and cleanest water supplies in the world. Under
the Clean Water Act, the Federal Government has
provided more than $80 billion in wastewater assistance
to the States and localities. This fundamentally
important investment has ensured that 165 million
citizens now benefit from modern sewage treatment, up
from 86 million in 1968. The important advances in
waste water treatment since the Clean Water Act's
passage constitute one of the major achievements in modern American public health.
In the last 30 years, the overall health of our marine
waters, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands has also
dramatically improved. The Federal Government has
cooperated with States, tribes, local communities,
businesses, and concerned individuals to reduce
significantly all forms of water pollution, making our
waters better suited for recreation and other pursuits
and more hospitable to aquatic life. Recent studies
show that we are close to achieving our goal of halting
overall wetlands loss, and we are hopeful that in the
near future we will begin increasing the overall
function and value of our wetlands. As we look to the
challenges ahead, the Clean Water Act will be an
important mainstay and tool for further progress.
As part of our Nation's long-term commitment to
protecting our environment and natural resources, we
must continue to focus on cleaner air, water, and land;
healthier citizens, and vibrant ecosystems. We will
continue to collaborate with private organizations,
landowners, and all levels of government to encourage
the development of new technologies and innovative
approaches to protecting our environment. Through
policies and programs that recognize regional
differences, employ market forces, and empower
individuals to be good stewards of the earth, we can
and will meet the environmental challenges of the future.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United
States, do hereby proclaim the year beginning October
18, 2002, as the Year of Clean Water in commemoration
of the 30th anniversary of the Clean Water Act. I call
upon all Americans to observe this year with
appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, and
to join in setting good examples of environmental stewardship in our daily lives.
[[Page 64788]]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two
thousand two, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.
(Presidential Sig.)B
[FR Doc. 02-27025
Filed 10-21-02; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P