GREEN BAY (WLUK) -- Wisconsin leaders across party lines gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the federal Clean Water Act being passed.

The Clean Water Act establishes the basic structure for regulating pollution in U.S. waters and regulating quality standards for surface waters. Its goal is to make waters "fishable and swimmable."

Speakers included Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-8th District as well as officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

"The 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act is a significant milestone for Wisconsin and the nation,” said Director of the DNR Water Quality Program Adrian Stocks. "This foundational environmental legislation has been central to improving and protecting the quality of our lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands."

The event took place virtually Tuesday and at the STEM Innovation Center on the University Wisconsin - Green Bay campus.

UWGB officials used the event as an opportunity to announce a new water science major.

Community leaders also celebrated the 90th anniversary of NEW Water, the Green Bay sewage treatment plant.