by Betsy Nicholas, president of PRKN
The recent rollback of critical environmental regulations by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an unacceptable threat to the health of our waterways, communities, and economy. As the President of the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, I strongly oppose these actions, which endanger the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers—vital sources of drinking water, recreation, and economic activity for millions of people.
Clean water is not just an environmental issue—it is an economic necessity.
The Potomac River is the primary source of drinking water for the National Capital Region, including Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and parts of Maryland. A recent study, Economic and Fiscal Costs of Water Supply Disruption to the National Capital Region (September 2024) found that even a temporary water supply disruption could result in billions of dollars in economic damages, impacting government operations, businesses, and communities that depend on clean water. Weakening environmental safeguards significantly increases the risk of contamination events that could lead to such disruptions—harming public health and regional stability.
We have already seen the consequences of pollution in our waters—industrial waste, sewage overflows, and agricultural runoff continue to pose serious risks, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia and Washington, DC. Instead of prioritizing public health and long-term economic resilience, these regulatory rollbacks give polluters a free pass while shifting the financial burden of pollution cleanup onto taxpayers.
Furthermore, clean water is a driver of local economies. The outdoor recreation industry—including fishing, boating, and tourism—depends on healthy rivers, supports thousands of jobs and generates millions in revenue each year. Weakening pollution controls threatens not just our environment, but also the businesses and communities that rely on these natural resources.
The Potomac Riverkeeper Network will not stand by while federal leaders roll back protections that keep our rivers safe and our economy strong. We call on policymakers to reverse these dangerous decisions and reaffirm their commitment to protecting clean water for the millions of people who depend on it. We urge businesses, local governments, and residents to join us in opposing these rollbacks and demanding responsible environmental leadership.
We will continue to fight for strong protections, hold polluters accountable, and advocate for policies that prioritize both environmental sustainability and economic prosperity. The cost of inaction is too high. Clean water is non-negotiable. Your donation today will give PRKN the support we need to confront these environmental rollbacks and ensure protection of your clean water rights.
