August 24, 2020

Contact: Sinjin Eberle, American Rivers, 720-373-0864

(Washington, DC) – Statement of American Rivers’ President Bob Irvin:

“We welcome today’s announcement by the Corps of Engineers to hit the pause button on deciding whether to permit Pebble Mine in the headwaters of Bristol Bay. While we would prefer that the Corps had simply denied the permit given the existential threat that Pebble Mine poses to the greatest wild salmon fishery left on the planet, requiring the company to provide further information on how it plans to mitigate the serious threat posed by the mine to the irreplaceable fishery is a step in the right direction. One cannot put a price on how important the Bristol Bay fishery is to Alaskan Native communities, commercial fishers, sport fishers, and every American who treasures wild rivers and thriving ecosystems. Hopefully today’s announcement will mark the beginning of the end of a mining project that should have been killed years ago. We will continue to support our colleagues in the conservation, fishing, and Alaskan Native communities who have worked tirelessly to fight this devastating project until we are confident that the Pebble Mine is dead for once and for all.”

About American Rivers

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 250,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.

Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at AmericanRivers.org, Facebook.com/AmericanRivers, and Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.

August 4, 2020

Contact: 
Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers, (217) 390-3658 (East Moline, IL)
David Stokes, Great Rivers Habitat Alliance, (314) 918-1007 (St. Louis, MO)
Ryan Grosso, Prairie Rivers Network, (815) 954-7920 (Champaign, IL)
Jim Karpowicz, Missouri Coalition for the Environment, (573) 424-0077 (St. Louis, MO)
Barry Drazkowski, Izaak Walton League, (507) 458-6642 (Fountain City, WI)
Trevor Russell, Friends of the Mississippi River, (612) 388-8856 (Minneapolis, MN)  
Kelly McGinnis, Mississippi River Network, (708) 305-3524 (Chicago, IL)
Christine Favilla, Piasa Palisades Group of the Sierra Club, (618) 401-7870 (Alton, IL)

LaCrosse, WI – Earlier this year, American Rivers named the Upper Mississippi River America’s Most Endangered River® of 2020, citing the grave threat that climate change and poor river and watershed management pose to public safety. The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives takes important steps to address these threats on the Upper Mississippi River. Environmental groups throughout the Upper Midwest commend the House version of WRDA, and strongly encourage the U.S. Senate to maintain these important conservation measures in the final version to be passed by Congress and signed by the President. 

“The House version of the Water Resources Development Act includes many provisions that will improve river ecosystems and prioritize natural infrastructure,” said Olivia Dorothy, Upper Mississippi River Director for American Rivers. “There are two provisions that will really help the Upper Mississippi River and Upper Midwest Region in the face of climate change. Those provisions include Sections 211 and 308 that would authorize a Watershed Study on flooding in the basin and increase available funding for restoration, science and monitoring on the Upper Mississippi.”

“We thank Chairman Peter DeFazio, Ranking Member Sam Graves, and all of the members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for their work on this bill,” said David Stokes with Great Rivers Habitat Alliance in St. Louis. “Ranking Member Graves’ efforts to include the Upper Mississippi River Watershed Study are greatly appreciated.”

“We also want to thank Congressman Ron Kind and Congresswoman Angie Craig” said Barry Drazkowski, Mississippi River Specialist for the Izaak Walton League.  “Their work to expand the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program will improve habitat rehabilitation, science and monitoring on the Upper Mississippi River.”

“The bipartisan support for this important bill is truly inspiring “ said Jim Karpowicz, River Advocate for the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. “It proves that even in these difficult times, it is possible to work together to solve problems, problems that affect us all. We are looking forward to watching the programs roll out on the ground, particularly on the Upper Mississippi, an area of great significance for our Missouri members.”

House WRDA Increases Available Funding for the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program 
The Upper Mississippi River Restoration (UMRR) Program was the first environmental restoration and monitoring program undertaken on a large river system in the United States; authorized by the Water Resources Development Act of 1986. 

The UMRR Program has come to be recognized as the single most important effort committed to ensuring the viability and vitality of the Upper Mississippi River System’s (UMRS) diverse and significant fish and wildlife resources since establishment of the National Wildlife Refuges on that system in the 1920’s. The UMRR Program has improved critical fish and wildlife habitat on 106,000 acres through 56 projects, accounting for more than 50 percent of the Corps’ reported wetland acres restored nationally between 2005 and 2015. 

“For the first time in a long time, the UMRR Program is getting a much-needed boost,” said Ryan Grosso of Prairie Rivers Network. “It has a great record of success, and we hope these changes will continue that pattern and open doors to more critical habitat restoration projects. In the midst of a changing climate, a healthy River and scientific research are crucial to the safety of the environment and communities along the Upper Mississippi.”

Since the UMRR Program’s last appropriation adjustment in 1999 to $33 million annually, the spending power of the Program has diminished significantly. If Section 308 of the House version is adopted, it will authorize an additional $22 million for the program annually. 

House WRDA Authorizes a Watershed Study to evaluate flooding on the Upper Mississippi River
To adequately offset the flood risk impacts of climate change and development, the Upper Mississippi River needs a water management plan that will provide more predictability and security during disasters. 

“The ‘everyone for themselves’ flood management approach along the Upper Mississippi River has left us vulnerable,” said Christine Favilla of the Sierra Club. “Climate disruption is driving extreme weather patterns that will lead to more frequent and prolonged flood events along the Upper Mississippi River, like what the Midwest experienced in 2019, and the region is unprepared for this new reality.” 

“The pandemic is already shining a grim light on our over-reliance on resource intensive flood control infrastructure,” said Kelly McGinnis of the Mississippi River Network. “Instead of fighting nature, let’s get people out of harm’s way and build out nature’s defenses, like wetlands and floodplains.” 

“The Upper Mississippi River Watershed Study will help provide the resources we need to address flooding at its source,” said Trevor Russell of Friends of the Mississippi River. “This includes advancements in on-farm solutions that hold more water back on the land and protect those who live downstream.”

In American Rivers’ Most Endangered River© listing, environmental and conservation groups asked state and federal management agencies to create a planning framework that

1. Coordinates river and watershed management actions. Most Upper Mississippi River floods start in the uplands. Agriculture, natural resource and civil works agencies must start working together to develop effective solutions for farmers to slow the flow of water coming off the land.  

2. Ensures all river communities are involved in the decision-making process. Everyone needs to be part of the solution. We need to stop pitting neighbor against neighbor and make sure our most vulnerable citizens have a voice in the process.  

3. Accounts for climate change. Not only is climate disruption causing more frequent flood events, but it is also driving flood events that are longer duration, like the unprecedented 2019 Flood. 

4. Gives rivers room to flood safely. The most effective flood risk reduction strategy is to move people and infrastructure out of the floodplain and prohibit future development. 

5. Restores lost habitat. Floodplains do not just convey flood water; they are a critical component of river habitat. River habitat continues to degrade faster than restoration projects can be implemented and any development activities along the Mississippi must mitigate past environmental harms and rehabilitate habitat. 

Section 211 in the House Water Resources Development Act authorizes a watershed study for the Upper Mississippi River that can accomplish these goals.

 ******

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and an annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 200,000 members, supporters, and volunteers. 

Friends of the Mississippi River is a Minnesota-based environmental organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Mississippi River and its watershed through land conservation, river corridor stewardship, community education, and clean water advocacy.

Great Rivers Habitat Alliance is a Missouri-based floodplain and wetlands conservation organization dedicated to preserving the Confluence floodplain of the Mississippi, Missouri, and Illinois rivers.

Izaak Walton League is one of America’s oldest and most successful conservation organizations – and we are the only organization training, equipping, and coordinating volunteer water quality monitors on a national scale. These volunteers are the heart and soul of our common-sense conservation mission. Through member-driven bottom-up governance, the Izaak Walton League is protecting outdoor America in communities across the country, while working strategically at the national level to win critical conservation battles.

Mississippi River Network is a coalition of over 50 nonprofit organizations and businesses from the headwaters to the Gulf all working together to protect the land, water, wildlife, and people of our greatest River – the Mississippi. The Network implements a national public program for the River, called “1Mississippi” that is designed to educate, engage, and inspire people to take action to protect the Mississippi River. Since 2009, 1Mississippi has recruited 20,000 River Citizens and inspired thousands of actions.

Missouri Coalition for the Environment is Missouri’s independent, citizens’ environmental organization for clean water, clean air, clean energy, and a healthy environment. We are a trusted, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) state-level environmental advocacy organization, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a state-wide partner supporting allied organizations and initiatives around the state. We deliver vital information to thousands of Missourians on issues that affect our water, air, food, health, and the environment.

Prairie Rivers Network is an Illinois-based river conservation and clean water advocacy organization. Our mission is to protect water, heal land, and inspire change. With the support of over 1,200 members throughout Illinois and the country, Prairie Rivers Network strives to use science and collective action to protect and restore the health of lands and waters throughout the state.

Sierra Club is the most enduring and influential grassroots environmental organization in the United States. We amplify the power of our 3.8 million members and supporters to defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action.

July 31, 2020 

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145 
Wendy McDermott, 970-275-2057 

The Trump administration today released the biological opinion and final environmental impact statement for dam operations on the Columbia-Snake rivers. Wendy McDermott, Puget Sound and Columbia River Basin director for American Rivers, made the following statement: 

“The Trump administration rushed to roll out yet another scientifically deficient plan that fails salmon, fails to honor treaties and commitments to tribes, and fails our region. Following a long line of attacks from this administration on rivers, clean water and communities, this plan proves that any real, lasting solution must come from us here in the region. We need our Northwest governors and our federal congressional delegation to lead a comprehensive solution that recovers salmon and retains reliable and affordable energy.  

“Restoring 140 miles of the lower Snake River to a free-flowing state and improving access to more than 5,000 miles of excellent habitat must be part of any scientifically-sound plan to achieve abundant, healthy and harvestable numbers of salmon. With the necessary investments to replace the benefits of the dams, we can strengthen the economy, address longstanding injustices and build a better future.” 

“Since the early 1990s when Snake River salmon became protected under the Endangered Species Act, the agencies have yet to develop a successful salmon recovery plan. It is unfortunate that the courts have had to reject at least five previous plans as illegal and inadequate; and therefore, committing salmon on their trajectory toward extinction. It is time for new solutions. We need to move beyond historic logjams. It is time to focus on what connects us and commit to honoring tribal treaty rights and meeting the region’s clean energy, agricultural and conservation challenges together.” 

###

Tribes, Fishermen, Conservationists Applaud Newsom’s Letter to Business Mogul

Karuk Tribe ● Yurok Tribe ● Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations ● Trout Unlimited ● California Trout ● Sustainable Northwest ● American Rivers ● Save California Salmon ● Klamath Riverkeeper

July 30, 2020

For more information:  
Craig Tucker, Karuk Tribe Natural Resources Consultant, 916-207-8294
Nina Erlich-Williams, Public Good PR, 415-577-1153

Link to letter:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/0ndz8ncdzvv0sny/Governor%27s%20Letter%20on%20Klamath%20River_07-29-2020.pdf?dl=0

Sacramento, Calif. — On July 29^th, California Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter Warren Buffett and leaders at Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) urging the company to stick to an agreement to remove four aging Klamath River hydroelectric dams along the California-Oregon border. Berkshire Hathaway is the parent company of PacifiCorp, which owns and operates the dams. PacifiCorp is now threatening to walk away from the agreement and instead pursue the much riskier process of relicensing the dams.

Governor Newsom’s letter reads, in part:

Since time immemorial, the indigenous peoples of the Klamath Basin have stewarded the Klamath River, the second-largest river in California and once the third-biggest salmon producing river on the west coast. It served as a centerpiece of community, culture, and sustenance. Then beginning 100 years ago, construction of dams threatened this way of life, devastated salmon runs and altered the characteristics of the river itself. A century later, the river is sick, and the Klamath Basin tribes are suffering. 

We stand at an unprecedented moment of reckoning about our past and, more importantly, our future. In this moment, we have the opportunity and obligation to see ourselves clearly and decide whether we are living up to the values that I firmly believe all Californians stand for: equity, inclusion and accountability.

In response to Governor Newsom’s letter, the Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations and conservation groups American Rivers, California Trout, Klamath Riverkeeper, Trout Unlimited, Save California Salmon and Sustainable Northwest have issued the following statement of support:

“With every year that passes, Klamath River salmon edge closer to extinction. While we are gratified that PacifiCorp remains willing to talk, we can’t afford any more delays in this process. It’s time for Warren Buffett’s PacifiCorp to do the right thing and allow this dam removal agreement to move forward. 

“It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s in the financial interests of PacifiCorp’s ratepayers and Berkshire Hathaway’s shareholders. The agreement offers PacifiCorp unprecedented liability protections and $250 million in public funding. Walking away from the agreement will put PacifiCorp ratepayers on the hook for all the risks and liabilities associated with fish kills, toxic algae blooms, lawsuits, and violations of Tribal rights. We urge Warren Buffet and PacifiCorp to end the delays and move the dam removal process forward immediately.”

Background

A 2016 agreement proposed to transfer the dams from PacifiCorp to the non-profit Klamath River Renewal Corporation for purposes of removal. The agreement allows PacifiCorp to transfer the dams and contribute $200 million to the KRRC in exchange for a clean break from the project. However, earlier this month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) granted conditional approval for the project but required PacifiCorp to remain on the license for the dams until they are removed. PacifiCorp is now threatening to back out on the agreement. Parties to the agreement (including Tribes, conservation groups, fishermen, local counties, California and Oregon) view the FERC ruling as PacifiCorp not getting what it wants, but still getting what it needs – the least cost alternative to relicensing the dams.

Klamath communities that depend on salmon fisheries for economic and cultural survival have campaigned for the past two decades to remove the lower four Klamath dams. The dams provide no irrigation diversions, no drinking water diversions and no significant flood control benefit. The dams were built for hydropower but managing the aging structures today costs more than they’re worth.

Declining fish populations have led to burdensome regulations for farmers in the Basin while Tribes have curtailed or cancelled fish harvests for the first time in their histories. Most experts view dam removal as the lynchpin for solving the water crisis that plagues the drought-prone basin almost every year. Commercial salmon fishermen from San Francisco to Coos Bay, Oregon depend on Klamath River stocks, and their industry has been hard hit with restrictions on catch due to declining Klamath River salmon populations. 

The plan to implement America’s most ambitious salmon restoration project involves $200 million in financing from PacifiCorp, $250 million that was earmarked in a 2014 California water bond, and creation of the non-profit KRRC to take over the dams and manage the removal effort.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s letter is available in full here. For additional information, or to speak with someone from any of the groups listed in this media statement, please contact Craig Tucker at 916-207-8294 or craig@suitsandsigns.com or Nina Erlich-Williams at 415-577-1153 or nina@publicgoodpr.com. 

# # #

Key regulatory step toward restoration of free-flowing Klamath River

July 17, 2020

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission yesterday approved the transfer of the license for the Klamath River dams from PacifiCorp to the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) for the purpose of dam removal, conditioned on PacifiCorp remaining a co-licensee.

“FERC’s ruling is a critical milestone. Working with PacifiCorp, KRRC and our partners, we are confident we’ll stay on track to achieve this river restoration effort that is essential to people, salmon and clean water in the Klamath Basin,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers.

A 2016 agreement held that the license would be transferred from PacifiCorp to KRRC. FERC’s requirement that PacifiCorp remain a co-licensee still outlines a path forward to dam removal. Demolition of the four hydropower dams, J.C. Boyle, Copco No. 1, Copco No. 2 and Iron Gate, is anticipated to begin in 2021 and be completed in 2022.

The river’s Indigenous people, including the Karuk, Yurok and Klamath tribes, and local communities have advocated to remove the dams and restore the river and salmon runs for decades. The dams block habitat and have devastated salmon populations. The reservoirs behind the dams encourage growth of algae that is toxic to people, pets and wildlife. Removing the dams will restore salmon access to 300 miles of habitat, improve water quality and strengthen local communities that rely on salmon for their economy and culture.

“This river restoration effort has been decades in the making and we are closer than ever to our goal of a healthy, free-flowing river,” said Irvin. “We are grateful to Karuk, Yurok and Klamath tribes for their ongoing leadership and we thank elected leaders including Oregon Governor Kate Brown and California Governor Gavin Newsom who continue to support river restoration and solutions for salmon, clean water and communities,” Irvin said.

The dams provide no drinking water supply or irrigation. PacifiCorp agreed to dam removal in 2016 because the dams’ costs outweighed their benefits. Power from the dams will be replaced using renewables and efficiency measures, without contributing to climate change. In 2008, the Public Utilities Commissions in Oregon and California concluded that removing the dams, (instead of spending more than $500 million to bring the dams up to modern standards), would save PacifiCorp customers more than $100 million.

KRRC expects dam deconstruction and river restoration to create several hundred jobs in the Klamath Basin. Klamath salmon support commercial fisheries worth $150 million per year and the recreation industry contributes millions to the local Klamath Basin economy, according to KRRC.

Learn more:

Video: Lessons from the Klamath

Reconnect Klamath

July 17, 2020

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

The “Hydropower Clean Energy Future Act” introduced by Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-WA) would roll back critical river and clean water protections, cut the public out of decision-making and put rivers nationwide at risk, American Rivers warned today.

“This legislation is a misguided attack on healthy rivers and the environment under the guise of ‘regulatory reform.’ By slashing safeguards for rivers, clean water and wildlife this bill would let energy companies off the hook for the damage their dams cause,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers.

Key concerns with the legislation include:

• Takes authority from the agencies charged with managing natural resources and gives that authority to a different agency, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which has a different mandate. 
• Tightly limits agency 4(e) and Sect. 18 authority to address only direct project impacts instead of cumulative impacts. Currently, agencies have the authority to not just mitigate impacts but to require enhancement of the resource. That would end under this bill.
• Limits participation of Native American tribes, states and the public in hydropower licensing proceedings by shortening timelines, eliminating meetings and reducing opportunities for effective mitigation measures that address project impacts. 
• Limits scientific studies and places the burden of demonstrating the need and value of necessary studies on agencies (freeing the project applicant from that responsibility). 

“There is a role for hydropower in the fight against climate change, and we must maximize low-carbon sources of energy,” said Irvin. “But it is imperative that we not destroy the environment we are trying to save by ignoring the serious environmental harm caused by hydropower dams, and the resulting economic and societal costs. We can have, and must demand, energy that avoids carbon emissions, does not consume finite natural resources, and does not irreparably harm the environment.”

Irvin added, “Hydropower dams constructed over the past century have decimated fish and wildlife, dried up rivers, inundated riverside lands and destroyed cultural sites sacred to Native American tribes. This legislation ignores these harmful impacts and creates loopholes for powerful energy companies to avoid addressing them.”

“In addition to our decades of successful work removing dams and restoring rivers, American Rivers has also long supported efforts to advance responsible hydropower development that doesn’t cause new harm to rivers,” Irvin said. “Examples include increasing efficiency at existing hydropower dams and adding power generation to irrigation conduits and currently non-powered dams. Unfortunately, this legislation undermines those positive efforts and is counterproductive to finding collaborative solutions that meet our nation’s needs.”

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

July 16, 2020

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

American Rivers announced today that Wm. Robert (Bob) Irvin will retire as President and CEO in January 2021.

“Bob’s leadership and vision will be greatly missed,” said John Haydock, Chairman of the American Rivers Board of Directors. “Over the past nine years, he has been a passionate voice for rivers and clean water in national policy debates. With Bob at the helm, American Rivers set and met ambitious goals for protecting and restoring rivers and conserving clean water in priority river basins across the country.  He has earned American Rivers national and global recognition for conservation leadership, including receiving the prestigious Stroud Award for Fresh Water Excellence in 2018.  In addition, Bob has worked tirelessly to enhance our commitment as an organization to diversity, equity, and inclusion and has been a thoughtful and caring leader of American Rivers.”

Since Irvin became President and CEO in July 2011, American Rivers has removed 194 dams, restoring more than 5,000 miles of free-flowing rivers.  It helped win permanent protection by Congress of approximately 740 miles of new Wild and Scenic Rivers from New Hampshire to Oregon.  American Rivers fought for protection of headwater streams and wetlands by securing the Clean Water Rule during the Obama administration and has gone to federal court three times to defend those protections against the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine them. 

During Irvin’s tenure, American Rivers fought back repeated efforts to weaken environmental safeguards in hydropower relicensing, while also seeking common ground with the hydropower industry in addressing climate change and river restoration.  American Rivers partnered with diverse communities across the nation in implementing green infrastructure to address polluted stormwater runoff and conserve clean water.  Its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® catalyzed protection of rivers from climate change, dams, mining, urban stormwater runoff, agricultural pollution and other threats.  With the assistance of hundreds of thousands of volunteers, American Rivers collected 21.7 million pounds of trash from rivers and streams during the past decade.

“I am pleased that under my leadership, American Rivers has been a strong and influential conservation organization, the nation’s voice for rivers,” Irvin said. “It has been a privilege to lead this great organization during some very challenging times.  Working alongside our dedicated staff and board, I am proud of all we have accomplished to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers, and conserve clean water for people and nature. Now, more than ever, everyone needs access to healthy rivers and clean water, and I know that American Rivers will continue to work for those goals.  I look forward to working together with the board and staff through the rest of the year to ensure a smooth and successful leadership transition for American Rivers.” 

American Rivers will immediately launch a national search for its next President and CEO.

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

July 15, 2020

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

President Trump today will announce sweeping rollbacks to the National Environmental Policy Act that put clean water and river health at risk, and threaten public health, particularly in Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities nationwide.

NEPA is one of our country’s cornerstone federal environmental laws, requiring that any major action (such as construction of a dam, power plant or pipeline) undertaken, permitted or funded by the federal government be assessed to determine its impact on the environment and communities. The Trump administration’s changes to NEPA will drastically limit this review and public input, paving the way for more environmental destruction and pollution of our air, lands and waters.

Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers, made the following statement:

“In the midst of the worst public health crisis in American history, President Trump is gutting one of our nation’s most important environmental laws. This means more pollution and health risks, especially for Black, Latinx and Indigenous communities. It means more destruction of rivers and streams. It means less participation for the public and more loopholes for polluters. It is precisely the wrong approach to ensuring a healthful environment and one that American Rivers strongly opposes.  We will continue to fight to ensure healthy rivers and clean water for all.”

“Adding insult to injury, President Trump chose to make the announcement in Atlanta, where, with the authority of NEPA and other bedrock environmental laws, promising efforts are underway advancing innovative green infrastructure and clean water solutions that deliver benefits for the environment and economy and begin to address longstanding injustices. Instead of trashing the laws meant to protect our environment and public health, the Trump administration should be working with Atlanta’s leaders on solutions that improve water quality and strengthen communities.”

Learn more about why NEPA matters:

An attack on common sense: Don’t let the Trump administration kneecap NEPA!

For immediate release
July 13, 2020

Contacts:
Andrew Hawley, Western Environmental Law Center, 206-487-7250, hawley@westernlaw.org
Amy Kober, American Rivers, 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org
Bob Nasdor, American Whitewater, 617-584-4566, bob@americanwhitewater.org
Nic Nelson, Idaho Rivers United, 208-343-7481, nic@idahorivers.org
Walter “Redgie” Collins, California Trout, 415-748-8755, rcollins@caltrout.org

SEATTLE—Citing breathtaking levels of overreach, conservation, fishing, and paddling advocates today filed a complaint in federal court challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule effectively sidelining the role the states and the public have long played in permitting decisions affecting clean water.

“With this rule change, the Trump administration has given corporations the green light to run roughshod over local communities, and has proven it is more interested in corporate rights than states’ rights,” said Andrew Hawley, attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center. “The judicial branch must intervene to preserve some semblance of balance in our nation. What an opportunity for the courts here: To stop this flagrant overreach steamrolling states and Tribes while preserving an essential public health and clean water protection.”

The new rule guts the Clean Water Act’s Section 401 provisions, which for nearly 50 years have provided for states’ and authorized Tribes’ self-determination in permitting for a wide array of projects requiring federal approval within their borders. The rule also suppresses state and Tribal public participation processes that moor U.S. water policy in the harbor of democracy.

“Now is not the time to be rolling back protections for our rivers and clean water,” said Chris Williams, senior vice president for conservation at American Rivers. “We need to be doing more, not less, to ensure healthy rivers can provide clean drinking water and support strong communities and local economies. The Trump administration’s unlawful new 401 rules abandon the Clean Water Act’s commitment to providing a voice for Tribes, states, and communities in how their rivers and streams are protected and managed, allowing potentially harmful projects to escape critical local review. We must protect the rights of states and Tribes to defend clean water safeguards.”

“The rule changes will have a long-term and devastating effect on California’s ability to manage its clean water resources,” said Redgie Collins, staff attorney at California Trout. “Unless changed, this gives hydroelectric dam operators the ability to skirt State Water Board regulations that protect the health, safety, and welfare of all Californians.”

This rule change is separate from rollbacks to the Waters of the U.S. Rule (WOTUS), which eliminates protections for many waterbodies throughout the country, but represents an equally dangerous threat to clean water and public health nationwide: Section 401 applies broadly to any proposed federally licensed or permitted activity that may result in a discharge into any waterway that is covered under the law. Projects that may be approved against states’ and Tribes’ wishes include pipelines, hydropower, industrial plants, municipal facilities, and wetland development.

Working in combination, the Section 401 and WOTUS rollbacks will make it virtually impossible for states, Tribes, and communities to stand in opposition to projects that will pollute and harm their rivers, streams, lakes, and wetlands.  

Further, the new rule limits the information on proposed projects that may be made available to the states, Tribes, and the public.

“These new regulations are a brazen attack on the Clean Water Act with the goal of undermining the public’s ability to protect our rivers from harmful impacts of federally-licensed energy projects on the environment and outdoor recreation,” said Bob Nasdor, American Whitewater legal director. “Rather than protecting and restoring our rivers, these rules will weaken water quality by limiting the information, time for review, and ability of the states to require that projects meet state standards.”

“Under the cover of COVID-19, the Trump administration has again stripped one of our bedrock environmental laws and is giving extractive and polluting industries the power to dictate their own pollutant levels in our rivers, lakes, and wetlands, all in the name of profit,” said Nic Nelson of Idaho Rivers United. “By effectively silencing public review and participation processes for these projects, they will have equally degraded our basic rights of democracy.”

The new rule, finalized without Congressional input, directly overturns Congress’ intent to integrate state and federal authority for permitting decisions affecting state waterways.

Photos for media use available here.

Letters (public comments) from states, Tribes, and organizations opposing Section 401 rollbacks:

Opposition Letter: State of South Dakota (scathing)
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/v.mLY3z2d_20191021South_Dakota_CWA_401_commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Arkansas
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/5RTbsrt8~_AR_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of California
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/F1zojtGKa_20191021_Ltr_to_A_Wheeler_re_SWRCB_response_to_401_Cert_Proposed_Rulepdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/FoaQ2zvAh_20191021Yakama_Nation_Section_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: Inter Tribal Association of Arizona
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/.jk5nJ1oK_InterTribal_Assn_of_AZ_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Idaho
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/kZlX31CB7_ID_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Louisiana
October 19, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/F52ivsrg._LA_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
October 22, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/UTuKpy6FF_Menominee_Tribe_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Montana
October 17, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/SnoPVhxYj_MT_401_rule_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Nevada
October 17, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/0BeC6MkzI_NV_401_Rule_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of New York
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/c0.jrsYs~_NY_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Pennsylvania
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/Q9h7qFprp_PA_Comments_on_401_rulepdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: Seattle City Light
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/XDTlaYaTh_Seattle_City_Light_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: Skokomish Indian Tribe
October 20, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/NKCE.ps4l_20191020Skokomish_Tribe_Section_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: Standing Rock Sioux
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/67Ar2EyV8_Standing_Rock_Sioux_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Tennessee
October 21, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/e7PdQltny_TN_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Texas
October, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/SS5mPC48m_TX_401_commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians
October 14, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/hiNTrBCKr_Twenty_Nine_Palms_Band_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: State of Washington
May 24, 2019
https://pdfhost.io/v/21GYgD4xa_WA_401_Commentspdf.pdf

Opposition Letter: National Governors’ Association
October 18, 2019
https://www.nga.org/policy-communications/letters-nga/natural-resources-committee/letter-regarding-the-environmental-protection-agencys-proposed-rule-updating-regulations-on-water-quality-certification/

Opposition Letter: Western Governors’ Association, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties, National League of Cities, U.S. Conference of Mayors, Council of State Governments, Western Interstate Region, Association of Clean Water Administrators, Association of State Floodplain Managers, Association of State Wetland Managers, Western States Water Council
October 16, 2019
https://www.ncsl.org/Portals/1/Documents/standcomm/scnri/EPA_NPRM_CWA_401_Comments_FINAL.pdf?ver=2019-10-17-150909-880&timestamp=1571346568787

Opposition Letter: Earthjustice, Sierra Club, and 31 other organizations
October 21, 2019
https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/uploads-wysiwig/Sierra%20Club%20Comments%20Section%20401%20EPA%20Proposed%20Rule%20final.pdf

Opposition Letter: Sens. Carper, Duckworth, and Booker
October 21, 2019
https://www.epw.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2019/10/carper-duckworth-and-booker-epa-s-section-401-proposal-violates-states-rights-harms-water-quality

Opposition Letter: Southern Environmental Law Center
October 21, 2019
https://www.southernenvironment.org/uploads/words_docs/SELC_Comments_on_%E2%80%9CUpdating_Regulations_on_Water_Quality_Cer….pdf

Opposition Letter: Rep. Peter DeFazio
July 29, 2019
https://transportation.house.gov/imo/media/doc/2019-7-29%20PAD_LTR%20to%20EPA%20re%20401Certification.pdf

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Report: Investment in water infrastructure and healthy rivers creates jobs, strengthens communities

American Rivers calls for $500 billion in federal spending for water infrastructure, river restoration

July 1, 2020

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Report, poster series, factsheets and infographics available at: AmericanRivers.org/InvestInRivers

Washington – An answer to our nation’s current economic downturn is flowing through cities, towns, fields and forests across the nation. A new report, “Rivers as Economic Engines: Investing in rivers, clean water, communities and our future” presents a vision for positive, transformational change.

The report by American Rivers makes the case for boosting federal water infrastructure and river restoration spending and suggests a framework for equitable investment that will strengthen communities nationwide. American Rivers called on Congress to invest $500 billion over ten years in water infrastructure and river restoration.

“Our nation is in a defining moment,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers. “We are grappling with a devastating pandemic, a historic economic downturn and the impacts of climate change. These threats are disproportionately impacting Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other historically marginalized people. It is time for transformational solutions that strengthen communities, improve public health, address longstanding injustices, and boost our economy. Equitable investment in clean water and healthy rivers is vital to a better future.”

Congress is currently working on several bills that address water infrastructure improvements, including the Moving Forward Act (H.R. 2) which includes $40 billion for wastewater and $25 billion for drinking water. American Rivers supports this effort and applauds the increase in funding, but urged Congress to do more by committing to a $500 billion ten-year investment.

Communities have proven that safeguarding clean water and river health creates jobs and boosts the economy. The “Rivers as Economic Engines” report highlights findings, including:

• Investing $82 billion per year in water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure for 10 years would generate $220 billion per year in economic activity and would produce and sustain 1.3 million jobs over the 10-year period (Value of Water Campaign, 2017)
• Healthy rivers plow money back into the economy through recreation activities, with watersports and fishing directly generating over $175 billion in retail spending annually and over 1.5 million jobs nationwide. (Outdoor Industry Association)
• The ecological restoration sector directly employs approximately 126,000 workers nationally, and supports nearly another 100,000 jobs indirectly, contributing a combined $25 billion to the economy annually (University of North Carolina)

“Too many communities in our country don’t have access to safe, clean, affordable drinking water. Too many communities are degraded by sick, polluted rivers. Too many communities lack good job opportunities. For too long, our nation’s infrastructure investments, or lack of investments, have harmed our most vulnerable communities,” Irvin said.

The federal government has a long history of investing in river and water projects that damage rivers and perpetuate injustices against Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other marginalized communities. During the Great Depression, the Public Works Administration built massive dams and other water projects, including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River, Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia and the Upper Mississippi River locks and dams. Across the country, rivers were harnessed and degraded, devastating ecosystems, displacing Indigenous people and local communities, destroying cultural sites and inundating riverside lands.

“Today, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create real, lasting change. We must be clear about what positive infrastructure investment looks like, focusing on sustainability and equity, and prioritizing the needs of low-income neighborhoods and Black, Indigenous and Latinx communities,” Irvin said.

American Rivers called on Congress to invest $500 billion over ten years in the following three areas:

1. Improve Water Infrastructure ($200 billion): Prioritize investment to improve water infrastructure and encourage “One Water” solutions to maximizes economic, social and environmental benefits. This includes ensuring safe and affordable clean water and sanitation – particularly in Black, Indigenous, Latinx and other marginalized communities – by funding the improvement of water systems, and prioritizing investments that focus on green infrastructure and water efficiency.
2. Modernize Flood Management ($200 billion): Prioritize investments to incentivize a shift from outdated flood management policies to a multi-benefit approach that protects communities, ensures public safety, and restores river health. This includes incentivizing natural infrastructure solutions for flood management and community resiliency and ensuring flood management plans that include climate resiliency planning and prioritize natural infrastructure or nature-based solutions.
3. Revitalize Watersheds ($100 billion): Increase funding to communities to restore rivers, make agriculture more efficient and sustainable and improve recreation opportunities. This includes prioritizing integrated water management plans, incentivizing agricultural improvements including updating irrigation infrastructure, and developing a new 21^st Century Civilian Conservation Corps that will restore river and riparian habitat and improve recreational access. 

“The nearly three million miles of rivers running across our country are a source of great strength and opportunity. By prioritizing investments for water infrastructure and healthy rivers, Congress can create jobs, boost the economy and strengthen our communities for generations to come,” Irvin said.

Read the full report at www.AmericanRivers.org/InvestInRivers

June 22, 2020

Contact: Sinjin Eberle, 720-373-0864

In a major victory for one of the Southwest’s last major free flowing rivers, the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission voted 7-2 on Friday to end work on the Environmental Impact Statement for the Gila River diversion. The threat of the diversion spurred American Rivers to name the Gila America’s Most Endangered River® of 2019.

“This is a resounding victory for last year’s Most Endangered River and one of New Mexico’s greatest natural treasures. We applaud our partners for their years of work and the Interstate Stream Commission for recognizing the value of the free-flowing Gila River,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers.

The Gila River Diversion has long been a contentious, wasteful proposal, that would have devastated New Mexico’s last major wild river. Partners including the Gila River Indian Community, Gila Conservation Coalition, Upper Gila Watershed Alliance and Center for Biological Diversity have been vital to the effort to stop the diversion.

Flowing out of the nation’s first Wilderness Area, the Gila River supports outstanding examples of southwestern riparian forest, cold-water fisheries and a remarkable abundance of wildlife. The Gila River is important to Indigenous peoples who have lived in southwestern New Mexico for thousands of years. Many cultural sites are found along the Gila River and throughout the watershed.

“Our people have lived on the banks of the Gila River in Arizona for thousands of years, and we have watched our River dwindle through overuse in the Upper Valley,” said Governor Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community, located in Arizona on the banks of the Gila River.  “We have known for decades that our River is in danger, so we were pleased to partner with American Rivers in the fight to protect the River. The action by the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission to end funding for the proposed Gila River diversion is a significant victory in our common fight to protect the Keli Akimel, as we call the River in our language.  Hopefully, with this decision, we can put this wasteful proposal behind us for good.  Our fight to protect the Gila will never be over, but this is a resounding victory and I want to thank our partner, American Rivers, for all their hard work in helping to bring this about.” 

The diversion could have dried up the Gila River, impacting fish and wildlife and the local outdoor recreation and tourism economy. The diversions and infrastructure would have harmed critical habitat for seven threatened or endangered species. Declining groundwater levels caused by the diversion and new groundwater pumping would have threatened the cottonwood-sycamore-willow bosque, some of the last remaining intact riparian forest in the Lower Colorado River Basin. 

Now that the diversion proposal is dead, the commission will have the opportunity to re-allocate nearly $70 million to more river-friendly, shovel-ready, local water supply projects benefitting tens of thousands of residents across Southwestern New Mexico, including infrastructure improvements in Deming, Lordsburg, Silver City, and greater Grant County. 

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Construction crews mobilize to remove dam, restore free-flowing river and fish passage

June 17, 2020

Contact: Amy Kober, American Rivers 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org

Renee LaCroix, City of Bellingham, rlacroix@cob.org

Bellingham – Construction crews have begun working to remove the Middle Fork Nooksack Dam, a top priority project for salmon recovery in Puget Sound.

The result of years of effort and partnership by the Nooksack Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, American Rivers, City of Bellingham, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, conservation organizations and state and federal agencies, the Middle Fork Nooksack River Fish Passage Project will restore habitat for threatened steelhead, bull trout, and Chinook salmon, a vital food source to endangered southern resident killer whales.

Crews have been working for months to prepare the site, including extensive precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. The dam will be demolished in July and restoration of the river channel will take place in August. When in-water work is completed in September, the river will flow freely for the first time in more than 50 years.

“Rivers are vital to life, and when we remove a dam and let a river flow freely, people, fish and wildlife, and the economy can all benefit,” said April McEwen, associate director of American Rivers’ River Restoration Program and project manager.

The project showcases how communities can work together to restore and care for vital resources while maintaining water supply.

“The Middle Fork Dam was constructed as an essential piece to our drinking water infrastructure but we have known for over a decade that we needed a creative solution to restore access to this pristine fish habitat,” said Renee LaCroix, assistant director for City of Bellingham Public Works. “Fish are an invaluable cultural and ecological resource in the Pacific Northwest and we are grateful for the community relationships that made this long-term vision a reality.”

“It is possible to create a more sustainable future by restoring a free-flowing river to provide critical habitat for threatened species and to meet the needs of communities,” said McEwen. “We hope this example of tremendous collaboration and innovation can inform and inspire other river restoration efforts in the region and nationwide.”

“Nooksack is a historical tribe in this watershed,” said George Swanaset Jr., Nooksack Tribe’s natural and cultural resources director. “Work began many years ago with Nooksack tribal members Peter Joseph, George Swanaset Sr., Paul Costello and Nooksack Cultural Committee, and is still ongoing. The diversion dam is located in the boundaries of an area nominated as Traditional Cultural Property with the National Register of Historical Places.”

“We want to see the salmon return and continue protecting a resource that has always been there for our people,” said Trevor Delgado, Nooksack tribal historic preservation officer. “The Middle Fork dam removal project is a representation of decades of work and provides an opportunity to work together collaboratively to protect an area that is deeply rooted to our culture. What the Middle Fork means for our people today, we want it to mean the same for future generations. We want to continue to pass on the bridge from our ancestors into the future.”

“The habitat in the Nooksack basin will take decades to recover because there are many limiting factors that impact Endangered Species Act listed (ESA) early Chinook,” said Merle Jefferson, director of Lummi Natural Resources. “The habitat above the Middle Fork has potential and we hope that this project will provide more spawning habitat for the salmon, which are integral to our heritage and cultural identity.”

“The State and tribal co-manager hatchery programs will provide the necessary adult salmon spawners to seed the new habitat. These hatchery programs are critical to preserving the ESA species while habitat recovers. We will be working together to monitor the effects of the dam removal and hope that the project produces the fish returns we are looking for,” Jefferson said.

Removing the Middle Fork Nooksack Dam will restore access to 16 miles of cold, pristine spawning and rearing habitat in the upper Middle Fork Nooksack River for threatened spring Chinook salmon, steelhead and bull trout. Project elements include moving the point of water diversion upstream to eliminate the need for the dam while maintaining water supply; removing the dam and restoring the channel to reconnect habitat; and installing fish screens to prevent entrainment into the water supply diversion.

Fish passage at the dam was recognized as the top priority action to increase spring Chinook in the Water Resources Inventory Area 1 Salmon Recovery Plan. In the 2019-2021 state biennium, the project was ranked the top priority for funding by the Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration program and subsequently funded in the state capital budget.

Additional benefits include restoration of culturally significant resources for the Nooksack Indian Tribe and Lummi Nation, increased resiliency of Bellingham’s municipal water supply and removal of a safety hazard for whitewater kayakers.

The Middle Fork Nooksack River Dam was built to supplement the City of Bellingham’s water supply in 1961. Though state law at the time required fish passage, dam construction was permitted without the inclusion of passage.

The Nooksack Indian Tribe has advocated for dam removal for decades. In 2002, the WRIA 1 fishery co-managers, the Nooksack Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Bellingham to work together to restore fish passage at the dam. Several design efforts and feasibility studies were undertaken without approval of a feasible solution.

The project was re-initiated in 2017 when American Rivers became a formal partner, with funding provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation for project management and coordination, as well as planning and construction. The private foundation funding was critical to development of the project and in leveraging remaining public funding needed for project completion.

The project is managed by the City of Bellingham and American Rivers, with key support from the Nooksack Indian Tribe, Lummi Nation, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Funding and collaboration was provided by the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, City of Bellingham, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,  Puget Sound Partnership,  Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Fund, and the Open Rivers Fund, a program of Resources Legacy Fund supported by The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Additional project partners include Long Live the Kings and American Whitewater.

The Nooksack River watershed, located in northwestern Washington, spans parts of Whatcom and Skagit Counties and reaches north into British Columbia. The watershed covers more than 830 square miles and contains more than 1,000 miles of streams and rivers, spanning three main Nooksack River tributaries – the North, Middle and South Forks. From the flanks of glaciers on Mount Baker, the river flows through forests, farms and towns to Bellingham Bay and Puget Sound.

Before the arrival of non-native settlers to the area that is now known as Whatcom County, the Nooksack Indian Tribe had intimate knowledge and use of the Nooksack River, inhabiting areas throughout its watershed, including the isolated section of the Middle Fork. Historically, the Middle Fork was a place for hunting, gathering, solitude and spiritual practice. Today, the Middle Fork Nooksack is a Traditional Cultural Property and has been nominated by the Tribe as a Place of Significance. The people of Nooksack and their descendants see the area as part of their cultural identity and wish to continue their traditional practices.

Lummi Nation’s Usual and Accustomed area for fishing, hunting and gathering reserved by the 1855 Point Elliot Treaty is far reaching through the Puget Sound area and includes the San Juan Islands, Fraser River in Canada and Nooksack River watershed where the dam removal project is taking place. Early Chinook are an integral part of the heritage and culture of its 5,500 community members. The Tribe is working to restore salmon fishing back to mid-1980s harvest levels by restoring salmon habitat in the watershed and providing harvestable fish through hatchery production at its three salmon hatchery facilities.

Middle Fork Nooksack Fish Passage Project – partner quotes

“Removing the Middle Fork Nooksack Dam will restore miles of pristine habitat for fish and illustrates the type of collaborative projects essential to salmon recovery in the Pacific Northwest. We hope that this public private partnership inspires future work that benefits people, salmon and orcas.”
-Anji Moraes on behalf of the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation

“The Middle Fork Nooksack River Fish Passage Project will benefit both fish species and people. The newly accessible areas of the river will provide Puget Sound Chinook salmon, bull trout and steelhead additional spawning and rearing habitat and the expected increase in population abundance for Chinook salmon will, in turn, help the southern resident orcas. The river holds cultural significance for the Nooksack Indian Tribe and Lummi Nation, and the relocation of the City of Bellingham’s water supply intake maintains a reliable drinking water supply for the city’s residents. This project will continue to deliver multiple benefits over the long term. The Partnership is pleased to be involved as a funding partner in this project through the Puget Sound Acquisition and Restoration Fund, and we are deeply grateful to the many other partners and funders who have made this project possible.”
-Laura Blackmore, executive director, Puget Sound Partnership

“The removal of the Nooksack Dam was identified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as an important step toward recovering bull trout in the Nooksack River. We are pleased to be working with American Rivers, the City of Bellingham and other partners to ensure the Nooksack bull trout remains one of the strongest runs of threatened bull trout in the Puget Sound.”
-Rich Carlson, Coastal Program Washington State coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

“The teamwork and innovation at the heart of this project exemplify the approach that we take with the Open Rivers Fund for dam removal and river restoration across the American West. It’s just what we need to address our increasingly urgent 21^st Century water infrastructure challenges, while achieving benefits for people, fish and wildlife. We’re pleased to have supported this inspiring team of partners.”
-Julie Turrini, director, Resources Legacy Fund/Open Rivers Fund

“The NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center is grateful to play a part in the removal of the Middle Fork Nooksack River dam. We applaud the years of collaboration, partnership, teamwork and hard work that got us here. I am excited that this project uses an ecosystem-based approach to restore fish passage and connectivity in the Nooksack River watershed and hope that it will be a model for future projects to come.”
-Jennifer Steger, Pacific regional manager, NOAA Restoration Center, Office of Habitat Conservation, National Marine Fisheries Service

“Restoring the Middle Fork Nooksack River to its free-flowing state will benefit wildlife, ecosystems and people—from native tribes and residents of communities that rely on a sustainable source of clean drinking water. Hopefully the success of this collaborative project will serve as a model for other states seeking to restore rivers while meeting community needs.”
-Nicole Cordan, project director, The Pew Charitable Trusts