Today is Earth Day! How are you and your church community
planning to commemorate Earth Day and celebrate God’s beautiful gift of
Creation? Have you chosen a Sunday to
hold an Earth Sunday worship service?
Make sure to check out the annual
Earth Sunday worship resource from Creation
Justice Ministries (formerly the NCC Eco-Justice Program). This year, we
are focusing on Water, Holy Water,
with which we have been blessed throughout our faith story. “Throughout the
Bible, water plays a significant role in helping us understand the nature of
God… [from] the crossing of the Red Sea [to] Jesus’ baptism… [from] the woman
at the well [to] Jesus describing himself as ‘living water.’”[1] Indeed, water
– fresh, clean water – has an essential role in our lives even beyond its
spiritual significance. Clean water is essential for life and identified by our
faith tradition as a human right. [2]
And in the Reformed tradition, we engage our faith beyond
the church walls as well. Take
action today to support a new rule that will provide greater protection for
U.S. water.
This month, the Environmental Protection Agency issued a
draft rule that will provide clarity, protecting streams and wetlands that
connect to larger watersheds and protecting the quality of the water that we
depend on for drinking, cooking, washing, swimming, and fishing. Under the
proposed rule many of the streams and wetlands that were historically covered
under the Clean Water Act will again be covered. The proposed rule works within
the more narrow definition of "waters of the United States" given by
the two Supreme Court rulings and clarifies that under the Clean Water Act:- Most seasonal and rain-dependent streams are protected.
- Wetlands near rivers and streams are protected.
- Other types of waters that have less certain connections with downstream will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to determine if their connection to overall water quality is significant.
The process opens the rule up for public comment, so this is
a great opportunity to weigh in for a proactive regulation that will protect
our water. The EPA needs to hear from you in support of U.S. waters and safe
and clean water for all.
“The health of rivers, lakes, bays, and coastal waters
depend on the streams and wetlands where they begin. Streams and wetlands
provide many benefits to communities – they trap floodwaters, recharge
groundwater supplies, remove pollution, and provide habitat for fish and
wildlife. They are also economic drivers because of their role in fishing,
hunting, agriculture, recreation, energy, and manufacturing.” [3]
The most recent Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General
Assembly (2012) acknowledged protection of the environment as vital to the
Christian faith, supported a strong and proactive EPA, and affirmed a statement
urging strong oversight authority over waters of the U.S. [4]
For more information on the proposed rule, visit the EPA site on Waters of the United States.
[1]
Excerpted from Water, Holy Water,
published by Creation Justice Ministries, Earth Sunday Resource, 2014. http://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/50750/p/salsa/web/common/public/signup?signup_page_KEY=7497
[2]
219th General Assembly (2010), Minutes,
p. 332.
[3]
Press Release from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “EPA
and Army Corps of Engineers Clarify Protection for Nation’s Streams and
Wetlands: Agriculture’s Exemptions and Exclusions from Clean Water Act Expanded
by Proposal,” Released March 25, 2014.
[4]
220th General Assembly (2012), Minutes,
p. 241.
