Media Items Archive

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.”

Lawsuit challenges Army Corps’ unlawful approval of Yazoo Pumps

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2021

CONTACTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A coalition of conservation organizations represented by Earthjustice filed a lawsuit today challenging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ rushed approval of a massive drainage project in Mississippi’s South Delta, commonly known as the Yazoo Pumps, in the closing days of the Trump Administration. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in the District of Columbia, also challenges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for abdicating its obligations under the Endangered Species Act.

The George W. Bush Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency stopped the destructive project by issuing a Clean Water Act veto in 2008, citing unacceptable damage to some of the nation’s richest wetland and water resources.

However, last spring the Corps revived the Yazoo Pumps in a calculated push that culminated in official approval of the project in the final days of the Trump administration. The unprecedented effort included illegally revoking EPA’s 2008 long-standing veto and circumventing bedrock environmental laws such as the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the National Environmental Policy Act. More than 55,000 citizens, scientists, and public interest groups objected to the Corps’ incomplete and inadequate analysis of the project, submitting extensive comments demonstrating that the Corps ignored the scientific data and law.

“Instead of making a decision based on the science and law, the Corps recklessly approved this ineffective, destructive, and wasteful project,” said Earthjustice attorney Stu Gillespie. “The Corps failed to inform the public about the project’s unacceptable costs and refused to consider alternatives that would provide prompt, effective and environmentally sound flood relief to communities.”

“The Yazoo Pumps would increase flood risk for many people in the area,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers. “The Corps’ continued focus on building the Yazoo Pumps is irresponsible when there are better, more cost-effective solutions available.”

“Time after time, the Yazoo Pumps have been shown to be the big lie,” said Louie Miller, State Director for the Mississippi Chapter of the Sierra Club. “The Pumps are not intended to protect communities from flooding but are designed to benefit agribusiness by draining wetlands to intensify farming.”

“Not only will the Corps’ latest proposal degrade at least 39,000 acres of globally significant wetlands but over 82 percent of the Yazoo Backwater Area will continue to flood with the Pumps in place,” said Jill Mastrototaro, Audubon’s Mississippi policy director. “This lawsuit is a last line of defense to protect birds, wildlife and people by ensuring local communities get the effective flood relief solutions they deserve.”

The Yazoo Pumps project would involve construction of a 14,000 cubic-feet-per-second pumping plant in the Yazoo Backwater Area to drain water, primarily from low-lying agricultural lands, during certain types of flood events to facilitate increased agricultural production on those lands. Although authorized by Congress in 1941 to theoretically provide flood control, the Corps admitted in 2007 that 80 percent of the project’s benefits would be for agriculture.

“The pump project’s results will contradict one of its planned purposes,” said Andrew Whitehurst of Healthy Gulf, “The Corps of Engineers estimated in its public meeting response to questions that almost 9,700 acres could be converted to crop land by the pumps even though one of the basic objectives listed by the project’s Supplemental EIS is to provide reduced levels of agricultural intensification.”

The Yazoo Pumps would drain tens of thousands of acres of ecologically rich wetlands that support over 450 species of fish and wildlife, including several federally endangered species, such as the pondberry. Also, the Yazoo Pumps would increase flood risk for downstream communities while failing to provide the promised level of relief to communities in the Yazoo Backwater Area.

Instead of the ineffective, antiquated pumps, the conservation groups are calling for commonsense solutions to reduce flood risk using natural infrastructure and non-structural approaches that can help protect people’s lives, property and livelihoods. These available measures include elevating homes and roads, and paying farmers to restore cropland back to wetlands. See: Alternative Flood Relief Solutions to the Yazoo Pumps

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April 14, 2021
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

President Biden announced today that he will nominate Tommy Beaudreau as Deputy Interior Secretary. Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers, made the following statement:

“We congratulate Tommy Beaudreau on his nomination as Deputy Interior Secretary. I have worked with Tommy for over a decade and his extensive experience will help the agency navigate critical conservation and energy issues. The Department of the Interior plays an instrumental role in addressing some of our country’s most pressing challenges, including climate change and environmental justice.

The agency 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.”

Harmful development threatens historic communities

Contacts: Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers, 217-390-3658, odorothy@americanrivers.org

Yvonne Story, Education, Economics, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization (EEECHO), 228-223-6885, eeecho@cableone.net

Victoria Thornton Sharpe, National Council of Negro Women, 228-234-0221, vtsharpe@bellsouth.net

Derrick Evans, Turkey Creek Community Initiatives, 617-688-0846, tccidirector@gmail.com

Alexis Hidalgo, Anthropocene Alliance, 305-781-5147, Alexis@AnthropoceneAlliance.org

Washington, D.C. – American Rivers today named Turkey Creek among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2021, citing the threat that commercial developments pose to clean water, and the health, safety and heritage of local communities. American Rivers and its partners called on Mississippi state agencies to retract the development permit and evaluate the full suite of impacts on local communities and the environment.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers facing urgent decisions,” said Olivia Dorothy with American Rivers. “Turkey Creek and its communities will suffer more pollution, flooding and injustice unless Mississippi state agencies step up to protect the creek and the area’s unique heritage.”

For years, harmful development has impacted the water quality and health of Turkey Creek as well as the health, safety and economic integrity of the African American communities of North Gulfport, Turkey Creek and Forest Heights. Now, new proposed developments could make the situation worse.

One proposed development – a staging area for military shipments – would cover 16 acres and drain more than three acres of wetlands on a site where lead and arsenic contamination exceed regulatory limits. The development could send contaminants into the creek, endangering the health and safety of local residents during storms and floods. Turkey Creek and its surrounding wetlands play a key role in mitigating flood risk, but increased development will only reduce the ability of the river and land to absorb increased inputs of water and contaminants.

“Turkey Creek is adjacent to the historically significant Forest Heights community that was established by a joint venture between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), supported by the Ford Foundation. We are committed to protecting Turkey Creek, Forest Heights and surrounding communities and preserving the treasured legacy of our former National NCNW President and Congressional Medal recipient, the late Dr. Dorothy Height,” explained Victoria Thornton Sharpe, President of the Gulfport Section of the NCNW.

American Rivers and its partners called on Mississippi state agencies to withhold permits and funding for development proposals until an evaluation of the full suite of impacts, including health, safety and economic impacts to the creek, and the Turkey Creek and Forest Heights communities, is completed by the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality. In addition, American Rivers urged the Biden administration’s interagency council on environmental justice to examine Turkey Creek and its associated communities as a case study to investigate the systemic racism that continues to plague development decisions.

“This Most Endangered River listing comes as our community is approaching the one-year anniversary of the death of Rose Johnson, who was a tireless advocate for Turkey Creek, where she was baptized. We will continue to speak up for the creek, and our community, in her honor,” declared Ruth Story, Executive Director of the Education, Economics, Environmental, Climate and Health Organization (EEECHO). “EEECHO and our partners are planning a public virtual tribute to Rose tonight where we will discuss this important listing and our campaign to protect this endangered treasure.”

“Rose Johnson’s neighbors and allies for a more healthy, just and sustainable Turkey Creek have long had, thanks to her, our own state and federally-funded plans for our endangered coastal stream and historic neighborhoods,” said Derrick Evans with Turkey Creek Community Initiatives. “Since 2004, this inclusive exercise in community problem-solving and African-American self-determination has led to some restoration of our eroding cultural and environmental resources. More needs to be done. As Rose would say, projects or discussions that ignore sixteen years and hundreds of pages of community visioning, planning and progress are irresponsible, disrespectful and unjust.”

Gulfport, Mississippi’s Turkey Creek is a 13-mile freshwater creek popular for fishing, swimming and canoeing, that connects with Bayou Bernard, just north of the Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport.

Turkey Creek flows through the two historically important communities of Turkey Creek and Forest Heights. In 1866, recently emancipated African Americans purchased and settled the 320 acres or “eight forties” that came to be known as the Turkey Creek community. It remained essentially undisturbed until the mid-1980s when development began to encroach upon the neighborhood. Then in 2001, the historic cemetery was largely destroyed leading the Mississippi Heritage Trust to list the community as one of Mississippi’s Ten Most Endangered Historic Places.

“Turkey Creek has a funny name, but what’s being done to it is dead serious. For almost two centuries, the creek has been at the core of two historic, African American Communities. To damage it, is to attack them. Both must be protected and respected,” said Stephen F. Eisenman, Co-founder, Anthropocene Alliance.

The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations, and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in recent years include the Big Sunflower River (2020 & 2018), Buffalo National River (2019 & 2017) and Mobile Bay Rivers (2017).

The public is invited to a “Tribute to Rose Johnson and Discussion of Turkey Creek Endangered Rivers Designation” on April 13, 2021, at 7pm Central Time on Zoom (https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83325572992?pwd=Z1N5cEVpYVFORlpxcWg1N1ltMzJkdz09).

AMERICA’S MOST ENDANGERED RIVERS® OF 2021

#1: Snake River (ID, WA, OR)
Threat: Four federal dams on the lower Snake River

#2: Lower Missouri River (MO, IA, NE, KS)
Threat: Outdated river management

#3: Boundary Waters (MN)
Threat: Sulfide-ore copper mining

#4: South River (GA)
Threat: Pollution due to lax enforcement

#5: Pecos River (NM)
Threat: Pollution from proposed hardrock mining

#6: Tar Creek (OK)
Threat: Pollution from Tar Creek Superfund Site

#7: McCloud River (CA)
Threat: Raising of Shasta Dam

#8: Ipswich River (MA)
Threat: Excessive water withdrawals

#9: Raccoon River (IA)
Threat: Pollution from industrial agriculture and factory farming

#10: Turkey Creek (MS)
Threat: Two major developments

Factory farm pollution threatens drinking water

Contacts:
Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers, odorothy@americanrivers.org, 217-390-3658
Phoebe Galt, Food & Water Watch, pgalt@fwwatch.org, 207-400-1275
Abigail Landhuis, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, abigail@iowacci.org, 515-250-048

Washington, D.C. – Today, American Rivers declared Iowa’s Raccoon River one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2021, citing the grave threat that factory farms and industrial agricultural pollution pose to drinking water supplies. American Rivers and its partners Food & Water Watch and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, call on the Region 7 administration of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to investigate, monitor and enforce Iowa’s factory farm pollution violations to safeguard public health in the state.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers facing urgent decisions,” said Olivia Dorothy with American Rivers. “We’re sounding the alarm because pollution in the Raccoon River is putting drinking water supplies and public health at risk.”

The Raccoon River is polluted by more than 700 factory farms that confine thousands of animals. Waste from these industrial operations is spread on fields, often at rates that exceed the soil’s ability to absorb it. The manure runs off into rivers and streams where it contributes to a clean water crisis impacting millions of people. Iowa’s legislature has given these polluting operations free rein, relying on an insufficient voluntary strategy to reduce agricultural pollution in rivers and lakes. This voluntary approach has failed to reduce dissolved nutrient levels and water pollution, while factory farms continue to expand unabated, with 300-600 new factory farms added to the state each year.

The Raccoon River suffers from this unhindered factory farm pollution. Des Moines Water Works, the largest water utility in Iowa, utilizes the Raccoon River to provide drinking water to more than half a million people. The utility was forced to invest in one of the world’s most expensive nitrate-removal systems as a result of consistently unsafe levels of agricultural pollutants in the waterway.

Factory farm pollution, combined with drought conditions fueled by climate change, has also increased outbreaks of toxic algae in the river, which harm ecosystem health, limit the ability of people to safely enjoy river recreation and contribute to the growing dead zone downstream in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Iowa’s legislature has failed to protect us from corporate agriculture’s pillaging of our environment,” said Food & Water Watch Iowa Organizer Emma Schmit. “While our legislators write blank checks to industry executives and turn a blind eye to the dangerous pollution and public health crisis coming out of the tap, we call on the EPA to act where our elected officials will not. As one of the most endangered rivers in the country, the Raccoon River’s factory farm pollution crisis requires national intervention.”

”The state of Iowa has favored the profits of massive agribusinesses over the interests of Iowans for far too long. We cannot continue to disregard the serious harms of unrestricted agricultural pollution,” said Abigail Landhuis, a community organizer with Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. “While the factory farm industry rakes in massive profits throughout Iowa, rural residents, independent family farmers and Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander communities are enduring disproportionate hardships as our water, our soil, and our climate are devastated by corporate polluters.”

American Rivers and its partners Food & Water Watch and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement call on the EPA to immediately ramp up its Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) inspections and enforcement actions in the Raccoon River watershed.

The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

Other rivers in the region listed as most endangered in recent years include the Lower Missouri River (2021 and 2020) and Upper Mississippi River (2019 and 2020).