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Anacostia Protest To Feature Hazmat Swimsuits

BLADENSBURG, Md. (AP) -- Protesters say they plunged into the Anacostia River to protest the failure of cleanup efforts to meet a federal Clean Water Act deadline.

The protesters at Thursday's event in Bladensburg called for federal, state and local governments to take actions to make the waterway and others nationwide fishable and swimmable.

The protesters called for expanding and tightening Clean Water Act permits for runoff from developed areas, particularly in Prince George's County and the District of Columbia. They also called for stronger regulation of new and existing development, including improvements to existing stormwater systems.

The Anacostia is one of a number of waterways nationwide targeted last week in a new federal urban waters initiative.

Federal officials also unveiled a plan last year to restore the river flowing through Southeast Washington.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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