Inform, Entertain, Inspire
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
WVPE is your gateway to green and sustainable resources in Michiana. Sustainability is meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is accomplished by finding a balance between businesses, the environment, and our society (people, planet, and profit).State, National and International resources on sustainability include:The Environmental Protection AgencyThe Natural StepSustainability Dictionary45 Sustainability Resources You Need to Know Explore ways to support sustainability in the Michiana area through the Green Links Directory.Sept. 17, 2019 from 2-3:30pm"Global Warming: A Hot Topic"Sept. 17, 19, 24, and 26All sessions are from 2-3:30pmGreencroft Goshen Community Center in the Jennings Auditorium1820 Greencroft Blvd.Goshen, IN 46526The event will look at possible solutions and suffering as well as consequences beyond warmer weather. The event will examine what other civilizations have or haven’t done when faced with environmental problems. Plus there will be an exploration of the biggest unknown in the climate system: What will the humans do? Paul Meyer Reimer teaches physics, math and climate change at Goshen College. The events are presented by the Lifelong Learning Institute. The Institute can be reached at: (574) 536-8244lifelonglearning@live.comhttp://life-learn.org/

Trump Orders Review Of Obama-Era Clean Water Rule

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

President Trump has ordered a review of the Waters of the U.S. rule. It's an Obama-era regulation that says which waters the federal government can protect. As NPR's Nathan Rott reports, undoing the rule would be a long and difficult process.

NATHAN ROTT, BYLINE: All federal protection over water goes back decades to the Clean Water Act. It says the federal government has jurisdiction over so-called navigable waters. Think big enough for a boat. But Jan Goldman-Carter, an attorney for the National Wildlife Federation who used to work for the EPA, says it was always meant to be broader.

JAN GOLDMAN-CARTER: We cannot protect the downstream, float-a-boat Mississippi River unless we protect all the little streams and wetlands that feed into that river.

ROTT: Which little streams and wetlands, though, was always unclear, and court decisions made it muddier. The Obama administration tried to clarify it with the Waters of the U.S. rule in 2015. But the move was challenged by dozens of states and industries, farmers, ranchers, real estate and golf course developers who say that the rules go too far and are an expensive burden. Enter Donald Trump, a golf course owner himself.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: I've been hearing about it for years and years. I didn't know I'd necessarily be in this position to do something about it.

ROTT: Trump signed the executive order to review the rule flanked by farmers, ranchers and county commissioners.

(APPLAUSE)

ROTT: But his signature does little immediately. Michael Wara of Stanford University says making a new rule or undoing the current one could take years.

MICHAEL WARA: There will be the opportunity to comment on the rule. There will be the opportunity to challenge the rule in court if EPA's response to those comments is unsatisfactory.

ROTT: The original water rule, environmental and sportsman groups say, drew a million public comments. They expect even more for any changes. Nathan Rott, NPR News. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

Nathan Rott is a correspondent on NPR's National Desk, where he focuses on environment issues and the American West.