The Hudson River's Fight for Clean Water

The Hudson River has come a long way from its polluted past. In the 1960s, it was a dumping ground for sewage and toxic waste from factories like General Motors and General Electric. The river was so polluted that Governor Nelson Rockefeller called it a "great septic tank. " But things changed. Laws were passed, and companies were forced to clean up their mess. The river is now much cleaner, with more fish and people enjoying its waters. But now, there's a new threat. President Donald Trump wants to roll back protections for wetlands, which help keep the river clean. He's also trying to open up more areas for oil and gas drilling and weaken the Endangered Species Act. These changes could harm the environment and undo years of progress. The Hudson River is protected by state laws, so Trump can't do too much damage. But his actions could still have a big impact. Groups like the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Defense Fund are fighting back. They plan to sue to stop these changes. People who grew up near the Hudson River have a special connection to it. They remember when it was polluted and are proud of how it has improved. They're not going to let Trump ruin it. They're ready to fight to protect the river and its wildlife. The fight to protect the environment is not over. But with people standing up for the Hudson River and other treasures across the country, there's hope for a cleaner future.