Watch CBS News

Kayakers Rally For New Clean Water Standards

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Kayakers in support of new environmental standards for Pittsburgh's rivers gathered at Point State Park Saturday.

Members of the Sierra Club, Clean Water Action, the Center for Coalfield Justice and Three Rivers Waterkeeper rallied in support of updated clean water protection standards.

Officials from Clean Water Action and the Sierra Club say it's been 30 years since the clean water standards have been updated and that our rivers aren't properly protected from pollution, especially from coal-fired power plants.

They urge that these pollutants can be behind cancer and other health hazards.

"The reason we're here today is because we love our rivers, because they're a huge part of our economy, but we've not been good stewards," said Tom Hoffman with Clean Water Action. "Every year billions of tons of toxic waste from coal plants gets dumped in our rivers."

The Environmental Protection Agency recently proposed new clean water standards, which are currently open for public comment.

RELATED LINKS

More Environmental News
More Local News

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.