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Environmental Progress - Summer/Fall 2002

Environmental Progress : Summer/Fall 2002

Clean Water Act Gets Agency Recognition

Importance of clean water stressed at numerous events.

Watershed Park

Tammy Mitchell, of the Office of Community Relations, holds the interest of young visitors with a clean water demonstration at the State Fairgrounds.

Thirty years ago, on Oct. 18, 1972, the federal legislation commonly referred to as the Clean Water Act became law. During 2002, Illinois joined other states in efforts to recognize the historic event and continue its goal by putting renewed emphasis on public awareness of clean water, and the way in which everyday actions can affect it. On Earth Day, Gov. George Ryan proclaimed 2002 the Year of Clean Water, and October as Clean Water Month.

Some of the many ways the Agency celebrated the milestone are shown here.

State Fair

The IEPA's State Fair exhibit focused on "Clean Water Everywhere for Everyone" and featured water-oriented exhibits and interactive games. In Putting for Clean Water, players try to get a rain drop (golf ball) to the Lake (hole) in as few strokes as possivle. The fewer the strokes, the cleaner the water. the game's goal was to get participants to understand what a watershed is and how their actions can affect it.