Today, EPA was supposed to propose rules to curb stormwater run-off—the murky, polluted water that gushes into rivers and oceans after heavy rains. They now say the proposal will come in May.
The benefits of curbing stormwater run-off are great—uncontaminated fish, clean waters to swim in, lower water treatment costs. Likewise, the costs of delay are major—damage from flooding, erosion, sewer overflows.
In a letter sent to EPA today, we urged the agency to take steps that will maximize the benefits of controlling this water pollution. But we also hope that they will move quickly to put the rule in place to avoid foisting the costs of dirty water onto the public.