For Immediate Release	Contact:	Michael Simonsen
January 9, 2002		619-236-6616 619-884-7335 Cell

Frye Kicks Off National Essay Contest At Local Elementary School

Commemorates 30th Anniversary of the Federal Clean Water Act

San Diego, California - Councilmember Donna Frye kicked off the national "Why Students Need Clean Water" essay and photo contest today at Bay Park Elementary School in Clairemont. The Clean Water Network is sponsoring the two contests in conjunction with the year-long celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act.

The essay contest asks students to describe how polluted water affects them and why they need clean water. "It is essential for children to know that their feelings on important issues are being heard," Frye stated. "When the kids of San Diego go to the beach, I want them to be able to go in the water. They shouldn't have to worry about getting sick from playing in polluted water."

Councilmember Frye is one of the contest judges. One student from each of the three grade categories will be chosen as the winner of the essay contest. The winners of the contest will receive a trip to Washington D.C. to join members of Congress to help celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act and share their winning entry.

The goal of the Clean Water Act is to "restore and maintain the physical and biological integrity of the Nation's waters." Some of the successes of this legislation include; significant increases in the number of people served by sewage treatment plants; decreases in the losses of wetlands; and a significant increase in the percentage of the nation's rivers, lakes and coastal waters deemed to be safe for fishing and swimming.

Frye, in commenting on the successes of the legislation is quick to note that the fight for clean water is not over. "While we have made progress, there is still a great deal to be done to make our waters safe for fishing and swimming. It is unacceptable that 40 percent of our water bodies still do not meet basic water quality standards. San Diego specifically cannot afford to have beaches closed because so much of our economy is dependent on tourism."

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