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Today, in a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing titled “Outdoor Recreation: Vast Impact of the Great Outdoors,” U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) emphasized the critical tie between protecting the Clean Water Act, Land and Water Conservation Fund and other key environmental programs and supporting Michigan’s outdoor recreation economy, which accounts for 194,000 jobs and generates $18.7 billion in economic activity every year.

In her opening statement, Dingell urged her colleagues to remember the story of the Detroit River – once one of the most polluted rivers in the country and now an economic driver for local communities – when considering roll backs to programs that have cleaned up the nation’s air and water.

Dingell’s full opening statement can be read below. Video is available here.

“Outdoor recreation is not only a driver for Michigan’s economy – it is a way of life. In my state, everyone heads ‘Up North’ to go camping, fishing or, in John Dingell’s case, hunting. But I can tell you it wasn’t always like that. To give you one example - from 1946 to 1948, 5.9 million gallons of oil products were released annually into the Detroit River. It was one of the most polluted rivers in the country. Pollution was killing thousands of waterfowl ever year and threatening the local walleye and perch population. It was a drag on the economy.

“Today, the river is now home to the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge, our country’s only international refuge. The refuge is a huge driver of our local economy and is now home to 30 species of waterfowl, 117 kinds of fish and over 300 species of birds – a huge turnaround from the not so distant past. I mentioned the walleye population that was threatened – today the river is part of the ‘Walleye Capital of the World’ with anglers from across the country coming to the region. 

“This turnaround didn’t happen by accident. It happened because we passed laws like the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act, established the Land and Water Conservation Fund and dedicated significant resources to cleaning up our air and our water. 

“As we discuss the impact of outdoor recreation on our economy, I hope that the Committee will remember the story of the Detroit River and will protect the Clean Water Act and support strong federal investments in cleanup and conservation. It not only helps our environment, it helps our economy as well.”