(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s notice that it would move to withdraw Washington state’s finalized water quality standards, also known as the “fish consumption rule,” without scheduling any public meetings in Washington state to elicit feedback from local stakeholders.
“It is beyond offensive for the Trump administration to begin working to roll back critical water safety protections that Washingtonians have been implementing for the last two years without any in-person public hearings to consider the interests of local tribes, families, recreationists and business owners.
“Families from Spokane to Seattle understand the importance of our state’s pristine waters to our health, culture and economy, and this brazen move to undermine the will of people in our state is misguided on the merits and disrespects the voices of Washingtonians who have worked tirelessly to conserve and preserve our precious natural resources, including protecting our water quality.
“As a voice for our state, I will be demanding more information from the Environmental Protection Agency on why they can’t be bothered to seek input, in person, from Washingtonians before making such a drastic move that could compromise our health, our environment, and our values.”
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