On February 21, 2025, Senator Ben Allen introduced the Right to Clean Water Act, SB 601, to safeguard California’s water systems by enshrining into state law previous federal protections offered by the federal Clean Water Act. The California Coastkeeper Alliance and Defenders of Wildlife partnered with Senator Allen to present this legislation.
The 2023 United States Supreme Court Sackett v. EPA decision stripped away federal Clean Water Act protections that regulated discharge pollution and quality standards for many of our streams and wetlands. These delicate water systems serve a vital role in providing clean water to our communities, foster highly productive ecosystems, and provide natural carbon sequestration benefits to aid in our climate change mitigation efforts.
SB 601 will re-establish previous federal protections for California wetlands, streams, and drinking water by establishing permitting requirements that defend against discharge pollutants from business operations or construction. Standards established by these permits will meet or exceed federal protections provided during the Biden administration.
“We are not going backwards. California has enjoyed clean water protections for 50 years and we have a right to continue to do so,” said Sean Bothwell, Executive Director for California Coastkeeper Alliance. “The Right to Clean Water Act preserves California’s values in the face of turbulent federal disruptions, while efficiently moving the state’s clean water programs forward.”
Orange County Coastkeeper is a proud member of the California Coastkeeper Alliance.
