The 106 th Congress did reauthorize many of the regional Clean Water Act programs and specific program offices, including the National Estuary Program, the Long Island Sound program, the Chesapeake Bay program, and the Clean Lakes Program. There has also been significant activity in the courts and the Executive Branch over the last 14 years. State laws regarding water rights and allocations must be preeminent. States must be afforded significant flexibility in the management of their water resources. Sound management of water policy requires a systematic approach based on natural geographic units such as basins or watersheds, delineated by states.
Solutions transcend political boundaries.
WGA adopted these principles formally in Policy Resolution 99-013. WGA policy resolution 98-017 policy addresses various CWA issues, including state primacy over water quantity issues, flexibility regarding water quality standards for arid areas and ephemeral or intermittent streams, stormwater, and nonpoint source pollution. The Subcommittee is likely to consider various Clean Water-related bills throughout the 107 th Congress and hold hearings on selected issues.