The Clean Air Act became law in 1970, the Clean Water Act in 1972. The United States Supreme Court hobbled the former last summer and the latter this May.
The Hoosic River Watershed Association will hold its annual State of the River conference on Thursday, Dec. 1, at First Congregational Church, Williamstown.
Eagle columnist Lauren Stevens writes: "While the goal of all the nation’s waterways being fishable/swimmable has not been met, the act has dramatically reduced pollution and advanced water quality."