Gary Turbak

The Clean Water Act of 1972 has dramatically reduced the pollution levels in America’s rivers, lakes, and bays, maintains Gary Turbak in the following viewpoint. Cities and industries were forced to stop dumping untreated sewage, pesticides, chemicals, and other pollutants into waterways, he asserts. As a result of the Clean Water Act, Turbak contends that many waterways are the cleanest they have been in years. Turbak is a freelance writer from Missoula, Montana.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What were some of the methods that cities and industries used to clean up their waterways, according to the author?
2. What waterways have made a comeback due to the Clean Water Act, according to Turbak?
3. What problems do cities with clean and vibrant waterways now face, in Turbak’s opinion"

On June 22, 1969, the Cuyahoga River burned...