American Rivers statement on injunction request for additional spill and reservoir drawdowns
July 16, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers joined a coalition of fishing and conservation groups represented by Earthjustice, filing an injunction request in court today for stop-gap measures to aid migrating endangered salmon and steelhead.
The request calls for “spilling” water over dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers to help flush juvenile fish downstream during a critical stage in their lifecycle as they migrate to the ocean. The groups are also seeking lowered reservoir levels to help speed fish migration through stagnant reservoirs that can reach lethally high temperatures.
Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“Salmon in the Columbia and Snake rivers are in crisis. Northwest tribes and salmon-dependent communities have been inequitably bearing the burden as dam operations and climate change drive salmon closer to extinction. With soaring temperatures putting additional stress on endangered salmon, short-term measures like additional spill are essential to their survival. We must also take bold and urgent action to build a better future in the Northwest that includes healthy and abundant salmon runs. That means heeding the calls of the Nez Perce Tribe, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and the National Congress of American Indians for a comprehensive solution that invests in salmon and river restoration including removing the four lower Snake River dams, strengthens the region and honors treaties and commitments to Native people.”
With lowest flows in history, swims 40 miles in 14 hours and 36 minutes
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
July 6, 2021
CANYONLANDS, UT,– On June 27, 2021, communication strategist, author, long distance swimmer, and co-chair of the Colorado River Basin Council for American Rivers, Matthew Moseley, 54, of Boulder, Colorado, did the first-ever recorded swim of the Green River in Canyonlands to raise awareness of climate change induced drought. Moseley swam 40 miles in 14 hours and 36 minutes in the lowest river flows ever recorded. (See Observers Log below)
This stretch of the Green River, from Mineral Bottom to the confluence with the Colorado River, is the ancestral territory of the Ute and other native tribes.
The Green River would normally be flowing at around 5,000-6,000 cfs (cubic feet per second), but was a mere 1,800 cfs during the swim. On many strokes Moseley scraped the bottom of the river and other times had to walk across sandbars and rocks because the water was too shallow, impossible to swim.
“We applaud Matt Moseley for embracing this challenge and for his commitment to saving the rivers we all depend on,” said Matt Rice, Colorado River Basin Director for American Rivers. “While climate change is making the Colorado River Basin hotter and drier, we can protect healthy rivers and water supplies if we work together to manage these precious resources wisely. Native tribes throughout the basin, as well as forward-thinking cities, ranchers and others, are providing the leadership we need.”
Following a predetermined safety plan, in the end, with darkness coming on, there simply wasn’t the flow, light or the time to keep swimming to the confluence with the Colorado River, another 12 miles away. Moseley exited the water at 7:32 pm after starting at first light at 4:54 am.
“While the swim is a first, more importantly, our expedition was a vessel to tell the story of what is happening to water in the West,” said Moseley. “We are in a severe drought. Perhaps this is the new normal? Some say it is the “aridification” of the West. I saw firsthand what happens when the river starts dying. I know how the fish feels when it gets washed out.”
The Colorado River’s Lake Powell reservoir is approaching dangerously low levels where Glen Canyon Dam will be unable to operate. This matters because over 40 million people depend upon the Colorado River Basin for their water and power.
Moseley was joined for the swim by Matt Rice, Colorado Basin Director for American Rivers, Mark Williams as the lead support kayaker and Mike Fiebig of American Rivers, as the lead navigator in the canoe and the overall trip lead. The 16-person team was carried by five rafts and then ran the rapids of Cataract Canyon following the swim.
The team included river legends Mike Dehoff and Meg Flynn, who started the Returning Rapids Project. They showed old features of the Colorado River in Cataract Canyon that are being revealed through the sediment as Lake Powell diminishes. They are matching old photographs from river runners with rapids that are coming back to life after the sediment washes away.
The Green River Swim 2021 was made possible by support from Bobo’s Oat Bars, Epic Water Filters, Nite Ize, RovR Products, Phil Lewis Art, Liberty Puzzles, Mighty Arrow Foundation (New Belgium Brewing.) and Valle Rafts. Moseley was coached by Xterra World Champion, Josiah Middaugh.
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ABOUT AMERICAN RIVERS:
American Rivers believes a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere is essential. Since 1973, we have protected wild rivers, restored damaged rivers and conserved clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 300,000 supporters, members and volunteers across the country, we are the most trusted and influential river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions for a better future. Because life needs rivers. www.AmericanRivers.org
ABOUT THE SWIMMER:
Matthew L. Moseley is a communication strategist, author, speaker and world record adventure swimmer. He is the author of “Ignition: Superior Communication Strategies for Creating Stronger Connections” by Routledge/Taylor&Francis publishing, 2021. He has spent his career at the intersection of public policy, business and government and has managed many public affairs projects and campaigns for organizations and companies. He is the principal and CEO of the Ignition Strategy Group, which specializes in high-stakes communications and issue management for the biggest companies in the world to the smallest organizations. He is the author of Dear Dr. Thompson: Felony Murder, Hunter S. Thompson and the Last Gonzo Campaign. He has completed five first-ever record adventure swims and is the subject of the documentary, Dancing in the Waterabout his 25 mile swim across Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans. He is the co-chair of the Colorado River Basin Council for American Rivers and is member of the Advisory Board of the Center for Leadership at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He lives in Boulder, Colorado, with his wife, water rights attorney, Kristin Moseley, and their children, Charles and Amelia.
Green River Swim Observer’s Log
Sunday, June 27, 2021
Recorded by Mike Fiebig
For World Open Water Swimming Association
We pushed off from Mineral Bottom at 4:54 AM on July 27, 2021, at mile marker 52 on the Stillwater Canyon section of the Green River. Water temps went from approx. 71º to 76º F that day. Air temps were 65º to 95º F. The river was flowing at approximately 1800-2000 cfs. These stats can be found at the Green River (town) USGS gauge, 45 miles upstream of where we put in, which is why these are “approximate” temps and flows and not exact. There are a couple of irrigation diversions and small tributaries between the Green River gage and Mineral Bottom. The significant pulse of water that started showing up down at the Confluence on July 28 and 29 had not yet reached us on the swim day. One can see that the pulse of water brought the river up to approx. 5000 cfs.
USGS gauge data for that date can be found at: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv?cb_00010=on&cb_00020=on&cb_00060=on&format=gif_default&site_no=09315000&period=&begin_date=2021-06-25&end_date=2021-07-01
How the day unfolded from my journal:
- 4:54 AM – Matt started swimming before first light, accompanied by a 14’ Wilderness Systems Kayak with 1 person and a 14’ Mad River Canoe with 2 people
- 5:28 – 1/3 Bobo bar, water
- 5:55 – waffle, Clif block, electrolytes
- 6:27 – waffle, block, electrolytes, Vasoline for chaffing
- 6:56 – waffle, water
- 7:30 – Perpetuem, fig newton
- 8:30 – Perpetuem, fig newton, block
- 8:33 – fig newton, electrolytes
- 9:10 – Honey Stinger, water
- 9:44 – beef jerky, Gatorade
- 10:17 – Bobo bar, block, water
- 10:54 – perpetuem, block
- 11:06 AM-11:26 AM – Walked across rock/sand bar, warmed up, turkey jerky, water, other food/drink
- 12:00 – stinger, water
- 12:30 – electrolyte, block, jerky, water
- 1:04 – block, fig newton, perpetuem
- 1:45 PM-2:00 PM – Walked across rock/sand bar, warmed up, chicken and veggies, turkey jerky, water
- 2:35 – water, block
- 3:06 – fig newton, water
- 3:42 – water, waffle
- 4:12 – Perpetuem, waffle
- 4:47 – Clif, Gatorade
- 5:20 – stinger, water
- 6:00 – jerky, water
- 6:53 – waffle, block, water
- 7:30 PM-7:40 PM – Exited the river at mile marker 12.3 to discuss stopping. Decided to stop swimming due to low water, darkness and fatigue: 39.6 miles, 14 hours and 32 minutes
- Paddled the remaining 12 miles to the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, arriving at 11:16 PM
American Rivers * National Hydropower Association*The Nature Conservancy * Low Impact Hydropower Institute
Tax incentives are critical component of a larger infrastructure effort to advance hydropower, dam safety, and healthy rivers.
June 24, 2021
Contact:
Amy Kober, American Rivers, (503) 708-1145
LeRoy Coleman, National Hydropower Association, (202) 750-8405
Eric Bontrager, The Nature Conservancy, (703) 887-0559
Shannon Ames, Low Impact Hydropower Institute, (339) 970-9337
The above organizations released the following statement today in response to Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Senator Lisa Murkowski’s (R-AK) introduction of the Maintaining Baseload Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2021. Specifically, the bill would create a 30% Investment Tax Credit to support grid resilience, dam safety upgrades, and environmental enhancements at existing hydropower facilities, and the removal of obsolete dams, with direct pay option for public power.
“This effort is critical to the future of our nation’s infrastructure. We applaud the senators’ bipartisan leadership in introducing a billto help preserve the 100 GW of existing hydropower while incentivizing dam safety, environmental improvements for healthy rivers, and dam removal.
Recognizing the importance of the health of our rivers and hydropower, Senators Cantwell and Murkowski are moving forward a critical piece of a negotiated proposal between conservationgroups, dam safety organizations, and the hydropower industry for investment in the rehabilitation, retrofit, and removal of dams. The full package would increase federal financial assistance to improve dam safety, create a source of funding for removal of dams determined by their owners to have reached the end of their useful life, and incentivize investments to reduce environmental impacts and improve the efficiency of federal hydropower facilities. We urge Congress to pass a final bill that includes all elements of our proposal.
The infrastructure plans under consideration in Congress present a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Urgent investments are needed to improve dam safety, including removing dams determined by their owners to have outlived their usefulness. These investments would also bring environmental improvements, restoration of natural systems and increased resilience of rivers to the effects of climate change, all while improving the performance of existing hydropower.”
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American Rivers and American Whitewater file preliminary injunction
June 3, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers and American Whitewater have asked a federal judge for an order stopping Electron Hydro LLC from opening a water intake and diverting endangered fish out of the Puyallup River in Washington.
The owners of the Electron Hydroelectric Project have a history of violating environmental safeguards. The century-old dam has never complied with the Endangered Species Act, and it has killed thousands of Chinook salmon, an important food source for imperiled Southern Resident orcas, as well as steelhead and bull trout. According to Puyallup Tribe fish biologists, if the intake is opened, river flows below the project will be lowered, exposing steelhead redds and killing thousands of fertilized eggs.
“Electron Dam is one of the biggest fish killers in the region. Since the intake has been shut and 10 miles of the Puyuallup River has had natural flows, 52 steelhead redds have been identified. This is clear evidence that fish need a healthy river. If the project illegally resumes operations, we run the risk of losing these precious redds,” stated Wendy McDermott, the Puget Sound-Columbia Basin director at American Rivers. “Additionally, the intake has no screen and outmigrating juvenile Chinook salmon will be sucked into generators and killed. The project is a clear example of how hydropower can be devastating to river health and fish populations.”
“Rivers are a public resource and for the privilege of generating hydropower operators have an obligation to meet environmental standards,” said Thomas O’Keefe, Northwest Stewardship Director of American Whitewater. “Meeting these standards is important for the fish that depend on rivers and all who enjoy the experiences rivers provide.”
May 27, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its intent to revise the 2020 Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule after determining that it erodes state and tribal authority. Section 401 of the Clean Water Act is the provision that provides the federal-state-tribal partnership collaborative authority by requiring state and tribal water quality certifications for projects.
Under the Trump administration, the EPA severely curtailed the authority of states and tribes under Clean Water Act section 401 to affect federal dam, pipeline and other infrastructure construction and operations through state water quality certifications. This authority is extremely important to states and tribes as it provides a powerful say in federal infrastructure planning and licensing processes. American Rivers has worked with states and tribes on many occasions to improve dam operations, fish populations, and river health using section 401, and we have defended this authority all the way to the Supreme Court.
Tom Kiernan, president of American Rivers, made the following statement about EPA’s action today:
“We applaud the Biden administration for taking this important step to restore clean water protections. Strengthening tribal and state roles is critical to defending river health. We are disappointed, however, that the Trump administration’s 401 rule will remain in effect during the revision process. We will continue to work to ensure tribes and states have the full ability to advocate for their rights and interests when it comes to clean water and river protection.”
May 27, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-115
American Rivers, American Whitewater and the Hydropower Reform Coalition released this statement today in response to the Senate Finance Committee’s markup of the Clean Energy for America Act and a proposed amendment that would create tax incentives for hydropower, safety and environmental improvements to dams, and dam removal:
We appreciate Senator Maria Cantwell’s leadership in introducing a proposal to use the federal tax code to incentivize investment in dam safety, environmental improvements for rivers impacted by hydropower, and dam removal. Outstanding issues remain with respect to appropriate environmental safeguards for investments in hydropower infrastructure. We look forward to resolving these issues as the legislation continues to move forward.
In addition, the tax incentives are but one part of a negotiated proposal between conservation groups and the hydropower industry for investment in the rehabilitation, retrofit, and removal of dams. The full package would increase federal financial assistance to improve dam safety, create a source of funding for removal of dams that have reached the end of their useful life, and investment in research to reduce environmental impacts and improve efficiency of hydropower facilities. Any legislation that is voted on the Senate floor must include these additional elements.
The infrastructure plans under consideration in Congress present a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address our nation’s aging dams. Urgent investments are needed to improve dam safety, including removing dams that have outlived their usefulness. These investments would also bring environmental improvements, restoration of natural systems and increased resilience of rivers to the effects of climate change, all while improving the performance of existing hydropower.
Statement by Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
May 14, 2021
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Washington Governor Jay Inslee today issued a statement calling for a comprehensive solution to recover Columbia-Snake River salmon. American Rivers named the Snake River America’s Most Endangered River for 2021 given the need for urgent action to save salmon from extinction.
Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers, issued the following statement in response to Senator Murray and Governor Inslee’s commitment:
“The pledge by Senator Murray and Governor Inslee is a positive step and sets high expectations. Northwest tribes and communities that depend on salmon have heard promises for more than 20 years, while salmon runs have gotten closer to extinction. Recent numbers released by the Nez Perce Tribe warn that salmon runs will hit an ‘extinction vortex’ if we don’t act soon.
To turn ideas into action and make meaningful progress, the region needs immediate resources, secured in this Congress, to accelerate dialogue for solutions including removal of the four lower Snake River dams, replacement of their benefits, and investment in regional energy, agriculture and infrastructure solutions. Senator Murray and Governor Inslee should ensure that national infrastructure legislation includes funding to advance this critical conversation and ensure implementation on an aggressive timeline.
Salmon and communities can’t wait any longer. Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s recent support of Congressman Mike Simpson’s salmon recovery and infrastructure investment proposal, and today’s statement by Senator Murray and Governor Inslee create unprecedented opportunity. All Northwest leaders must seize this moment with adequate funding to address the salmon crisis, honor commitments and treaties with Native American Tribes and support agriculture and an equitable energy transition plan.”
May 13, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers President and CEO Tom Kiernan released the following statement on the passing of Leigh H. Perkins Sr., Chairman Emeritus and former President of Orvis, and longtime champion for river conservation:
“Leigh Perkins built Orvis not only into a successful business helping people connect with rivers and the outdoors, but he instilled a powerful conservation ethic into the company. With Leigh’s leadership, Orvis has been a generous supporter of American Rivers, advancing river restoration and protection efforts. We extend our deepest sympathy to his family. Leigh’s legacy will endure in the love and wonder for rivers that he helped spark for so many people, and in healthy rivers and streams nationwide.”
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May 4, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers President Tom Kiernan released the following statement applauding Congressman Earl Blumenauer for supporting a comprehensive solution to recover Snake River salmon, honor commitments to Native American tribes and invest in the region’s infrastructure. Congressman Blumenauer expressed his commitment in a virtual conversation today with Congressman Mike Simpson.
“Congressman Blumenauer is a longtime champion for healthy rivers and environmental justice. He understands the urgent need for action to recover salmon, honor commitments to Native American tribes, and establish equitable energy policy as we fight climate change. With strategic investments as a part of President Biden’s infrastructure plan we have a generational opportunity to provide certainty for Northwest tribes, energy ratepayers and farmers.”
– Tom Kiernan, President, American Rivers
American Rivers named the Snake River America’s Most Endangered River of 2021. Learn more: AmericanRivers.org/MostEndangeredRivers
April 29, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
President Biden announced that he will nominate Mike Connor as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. Connor, a member of the Taos Pueblo tribe, served as deputy Interior secretary in the Obama administration.
The Army Corps of Engineers has a significant impact on river health nationwide, issuing federal Clean Water Act permits and managing 740 dams and more than 14,000 miles of levees. The Corps leads critical flood management efforts and in recent years has been instructed by Congress to incorporate nature-based solutions including floodplain and ecosystem restoration.
Among the more contentious projects the Corps is currently engaged in are the Pebble Mine in Alaska, the Yazoo Pumps in Mississippi, and its management of four federal dams on the lower Snake River in eastern Washington that are impacting endangered salmon runs.
Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“We applaud the nomination of Mike Connor as assistant secretary of the Army for civil works. Mike is a proven leader with a strong conservation mindset. He has extensive experience in water management and river restoration. As a member of the Taos Pueblo, he understands the critical importance of the federal government fulfilling its trust responsibilities to Native American tribes.
Climate change is impacting communities across the country with bigger and more frequent floods and droughts. The Army Corps has a critical role to play in strengthening communities in the face of these challenges. Protecting and restoring healthy, free-flowing rivers and investing in natural infrastructure must be the cornerstone of our strategy to build climate resilience because it has proven so effective. We encourage the Army Corps to fully integrate nature-based approaches that protect communities and improve river health into the Civil Works program, and to address long-standing inequities in water resources investments.
We look forward to working with the Army Corps and the Biden-Harris administration to ensure that equitable investment in clean water and river restoration is a top priority.”
April 20, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“The tragic murder of George Floyd should never have happened, but we are grateful to see justice served today through the conviction verdicts. While we support the verdicts, we acknowledge the pain and suffering felt by George Floyd’s family and the community and recognize that as a nation we have much more work to do to address injustice everywhere.
Racism, injustice, and violence are existential threats to Black communities and our society. We re-commit to doing our part to name and dismantle injustice wherever we see it, within our organization and throughout the river conservation movement, so that we may build a more just, healthy, and equitable society.”
April 14, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
President Biden announced today that he will nominate Shannon Estenoz as Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior. Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“We congratulate Shannon Estenoz on her nomination as Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior. Shannon is a long-time, effective and collaborative conservationist with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working, and her experience will drive vital work addressing biodiversity, climate change and environmental justice.
The Department of the Interior has a unique trust relationship with sovereign tribes and oversees conservation and management of thousands of miles of rivers and 500 million acres of public lands including national parks, wildlife refuges and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
We look forward to working with the Department of the Interior and the Biden administration to ensure investment in clean water, healthy rivers and environmental justice is a top priority.”