Protect Utah's water sources

I would like to respond to "Drinking water is safe, providers say" (Aug. 10). In reference to the federal government's new policy relaxing Clean Water Act protections, Utah officials assure the public that our mountain watershed and wetlands will be protected by "additional local ordinances." However, these assurances ring hollow in view of the fact that Utah's Legislature enacted SB183, which "prohibits any county or municipality from designating or treating areas as wetlands unless they have been designated as wetlands by the United States government." It appears that some of our local officials are already gearing up to exploit this new policy reducing federal protection of clean water sources. Utah is one of the driest states in the nation. We must do everything in our power to protect the precious water sources.

Marc Heileson

southwest regional representative

Sierra Club

Salt Lake City