Water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our children's lifetime. The health of our waters is the principal measure of how we live on the land.
—Luna Leopold, Hydrologist
At the turn of the 20th century, many navigational improvements had been made on the Ohio River. Intensive use of the river and waterway system over the years resulted in serious pollution problems.
Clean Water Act
In 1972, Congress passed the Clean Water Act. Its purpose was to repair the damage to America's waterways and restore them to their natural state as nearly as possible. Today, many groups of concerned citizens are working toward those goals on the rivers. The American barge industry is one of those groups.
The Barge Industry's Commitment to the Environment
Barge companies are playing a vital role in keeping America's rivers safe and clean. The American Waterways Operators, an association of the tugboat, towboat, and barge industry, and the United States Coast Guard have established a Responsible Carrier Program to promote "safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible transportation."
We invite you to do all you can to keep our rivers safe and clean. You may start by downloading, printing and signing a Kids For Clean Rivers Pledge Card.
