Ward 1

Carson Ward
Mrs. Mantlo
20 September 2016
English IV
Essential Question: What if government regulations do not prevent damage to the environment as
well as they should?
Working Thesis: Government regulations, like the Clean Water Act, do not prevent water
pollution nearly as much as they should. It might actually have a harmful effect on local
environments.
Refined Thesis: Government regulations, like the Clean Water Act, need to be improved to
provide a healthier and more sustainable environment for aquatic life, humans, and any other
organisms that may rely on water.
Annotated Bibliography
Lovejoy, Stephen B., and Jeffrey Hyde. "Clean Water Regulations Should Be Strengthened."
Pollution. Ed. James Haley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003. Current Controversies.
Rpt. from "Nonpoint-Source Pollution Defies U.S. Water Policy." Forum for Applied
Research and Public Policy (Winter 1997). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23
Sept. 2016.
All surface water in the U.S is polluted. From industrial waste to sewage waste. Because
of stricter regulation, amounts of pollution have substantially reduced. Storm water runoff carries
pollution from several land-use activities. Storm runoff also carries oil, litter, and chemicals into

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surface waters. Mines are another major part of taking place in pollution. Acids, heavy metals,
salts, and radioactive materials can seep into ground water before flowing into surface waters.
Over time, pollutants can affect the respiration and reproductive patterns of fish and other aquatic
animals. Therefore, there are health risks for the humans who consume them. This article is
relevant to the research because it exposes the weaknesses of the Clean Water Act and also
explains how it should be strengthened.

Seachman, Steve. "Government Regulations Do Not Prevent Water Pollution." The Environment.
Ed. Laura K. Egendorf. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints. Rpt.
from "American Citizens Are Left to Swim in Government Cesspool." Insight on the
News (26 Aug. 2002). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.
Government regulations have failed to make Americas oceans and lakes cleaner. As
Steve Seachman states in his viewpoint, beaches are frequently being closed because of
unsanitary conditions. Millions of people all over the U.S. have become sick from unsanitary
sewage overflows. Public officials usually dont close popular beaches unless waters are
absolutely disgusting. The U.S News and Report mentioned a primarily study done for the ERT
showed that more than 1 million Americans get sick each year from sanitary sewage overflows.
Instead of making a safe, discharge for waste, cities and towns dump raw sewage into the nearest
waterway. This article is relevant to the research because it puts a viewpoint on the negative
aspects of water pollution.

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