When you turn 40, three questions inevitably arise:
1) Who am I?
2) What have I done?
3) What else can I do?
Forty years ago, the U.S. Congress, in an uncharacteristically uncowardly move, overwhelmingly overrode President Nixon’s veto and passed the most powerful law for the protection of water in American (and perhaps world) history. Yes, this year the Clean Water Act officially enters its midlife crisis years.
Since it is a law, and not a person, we won’t expect it to buy a red sports car and hook up with another law half its age. But having aged and weathered and yet oftentimes stood firm against its adversaries even if its knees became not quite what they used to be, it is worth asking this much buffeted piece of legislation in its 40th year, the three essential questions of mid-life.
So, to begin with, Clean Water Act, who are you?
Read More:
http://e360.yale.edu/feature/the_clean_water_act_at_40_theres_still_much_left_to_do/2532/