Abstract
This comment argues for more political accountability and more scientific consideration when addressing water quality. It begins, in Section I, with an overview of the Clean Water Act, its distinction between point and nonpoint sources, and the connection between nonpoint source pollution, water use, and land use. Section II considers the tension between beneficial uses and environmental degradation by taking a look at a dramatic example of hydrologic modification. 5 Section III considers an effluent dominated waterbody-the Los Angeles River-and the difficulties that regulating point sources to the river presents. Finally, Section IV suggests a different approach-one that is modeled after the Chesapeake Bay Program (with a twist).
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2013
Recommended Citation
Ryan P. Murphy, Comment, Did We Miss the Boat? The Clean Water Act and Sustainability, 47 U. Rich. L. Rev. 1267 (2013).