UNDATED (WKZO) -- On this anniversary of the Clean Water Act, an influential Michigan State Senator is calling on Congress to reject what he calling the “Badger Bypass”. 

The S.S. Badger is the last working steamship using coal in the U.S. and while that makes it historic, it also makes it a major polluter, dumping over 500 tons of coal ash into the lake every year.

S.S. Badger officials have been ordered to convert to a cleaner source of fuel, or stop operating, and they are looking for a waiver from congress.

Senator Rick Jones, a Republican representing Michigan's 24th District, says a waiver would mean the state would lose its authority to review any proposed permits, and he says that’s just not acceptable.