Has your local council been talking about protecting waterways? Are environmental groups screaming about waterways in your area? It might be time for you to listen closely to what they are saying. Knowing when to Protect public waterways is critical. Do you know why?

The Demand For Clean Water

Public waterways provide more than just a place to go boating, fishing, and recreational use. They are the lifeblood of our communities. Public waterways are the number one source of water for most communities. They are responsible for filling reservoirs that provide our fresh drinking water. They provide drinking water for cattle, pigs, chickens, and other livestock, which provide us with meat.

Our waterways are responsible for supporting life. This is not isolated to human and farm animals. Waterways support wildlife in our country. Deer, turkeys, ducks, geese, and all types of wildlife stroll up to these waterways for their drinking water.

Without clean water, our communities, farms, and wildlife would collapse.

Preserving Nature

Some waterways are usually set aside in most states to provide wildlife with a refuge from humanity. These habitats quickly thrive. Fish grow in numbers and in size. Waterfowl expand into the area. All forms of wildlife lead enriched lives due to protected waterways which provide them drinking water, safety, and security.

When you visit one of these refuges, you will be overwhelmed with the diversity of wildlife and their population compared to unprotected regions.

Recreation

Protecting public waterways includes recreational use, too. There have been battles in a few states where the protection of public waterways has been challenged. As an example, in Wisconsin, a recent bill proposed eliminating the protection of public access if a farmer dammed an area of a river or stream. In most states, waterways are owned by the public, even when they pass through a farmers land or a real estate development.

Recreational use of lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs is on a constant climb. All of us love to flock to the water to fish, swim, and to escape the heat of summer. The challenge is to provide the proper balance between the needs of humans, the needs of nature, and the need for clean water.

Getting Involved

Protecting public waterways has been a hot issue for politicians and environmentalists for decades, but now it is time for the general public to get more involved. The decisions being made today concerning our waterways affects our lives today and the lives of our children in the future.

Most of us feel uneducated, but that does not mean your desires should go unheard. Remember, most of our political leaders are no more qualified or educated on these matters than you. What is important to you? How do you think we should protect public waterways?

Keep an eye out for a meeting where your local city council, county commission, or state boards are going to discuss protecting public waterways. Find out what waterways they are discussing and how that could affect your life. Water is one of our most precious resources and it is time that your thoughts are heard.