WHEREAS, on October 18, 2022, the nation marks the 50th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act which aimed to prevent, reduce, and eliminate pollution in the nation's water to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters; and

WHEREAS, this landmark environmental legislation has been central to the important progress we have made in Maine in improving the quality and health of our rivers, streams, marine waters, lakes, wetlands, and watersheds; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Maine are dependent on clean water for public health, recreation, commerce, and enhanced quality of life; and

WHEREAS, clean water plays a vital role in the economic prosperity of Maine by providing a sustainable commercial fishing industry, supporting other industries that rely on clean water, yielding a robust tourism industry, and sustaining our tourism and agricultural sectors; and

WHEREAS, in the last 50 years, the overall health of our marine waters, lakes, rivers, and streams has dramatically improved; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine collaborated with the federal government, Maine's tribes, local communities, businesses, and concerned individuals to significantly reduce all forms of water pollution, making our waters better suited for recreation and other pursuits and more hospitable to aquatic life;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the great State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of October 2022

Clean Water Month

in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act and I call upon all citizens to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities, and to work together to appreciate and to protect clean water as a vital resource for our State.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this ninth day of September Two Thousand Twenty-Two