December 15, 2018
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke resigned today after a tenure marked by ethics investigations and attacks on the nation’s public lands and waters. Under Secretary Zinke’s leadership, the Department of the Interior consistently put the desires of oil, gas and mining companies above the interests of the American people and the lands and waters on which the nation’s communities depend.
Secretary Zinke pushed to increase oil and gas development on public lands including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He shrank protections for Bears Ears and Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monuments. He overturned President Obama’s moratorium on coal mining on public lands. Secretary Zinke tried to raise National Park entrance fees, which would have made them less accessible for many families. He tried to fast-track a mining proposal threatening Minnesota’s Boundary Waters, which American Rivers named among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2018. Secretary Zinke’s Interior Department suppressed climate science and omitted climate change from key planning efforts.
In addition, the Secretary has been mired in ethics scandals. The Justice Department has been investigating Secretary Zinke for possibly using his office for personal financial gain.
American Rivers President Bob Irvin released the following statement:
“Secretary Zinke failed in carrying out his duty to protect public lands, clean water, and fish and wildlife. We can only hope that whoever is appointed next will take seriously the obligation to be the chief steward of our nation’s rivers and other precious natural resources.”
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December 11, 2018
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
The Trump administration announced its rewrite of the Clean Water Rule today, and as expected the new rule would eliminate federal protection for wetlands with no apparent surface connection to nearby water bodies, and expressly excludes from protection “ephemeral” rivers and streams that flow in times of heavy rain and snow. These are important parts of healthy river ecosystems that are vital to protecting water quality and providing flood protection and critical wildlife habitat nationwide.
The current Clean Water Rule, promulgated by the Obama administration,
ensured protection of wetlands and ephemeral streams based on the overwhelming scientific consensus that they are vitally important to healthy rivers that supply drinking water to two-thirds of Americans. The Trump administration is reversing the Rule on no apparent scientific basis.
While the Trump administration claims that the new rule does not significantly reduce protections, in fact millions of acres of wetlands nationwide will be affected.
Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“We need to be doing more as a nation, not less, to safeguard clean water. Unfortunately, the Trump administration’s proposal today fails to deliver – indeed it actively undermines – the protections our rivers and communities need.”
“Too many people in our country, urban and rural, are living with unsafe drinking water. More and more people are worried whether the water flowing from their taps is safe to drink. Low-income communities, indigenous peoples and communities of color are hit hardest by pollution and river degradation.”
“Protection for rivers, streams and wetlands that are the sources of our drinking water supplies must be a top priority to ensure clean water for all. It is time to strengthen, not roll back, safeguards for our rivers and wetlands”
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Jennifer Talhelm, Western Resource Advocates Communications Director,
202-870-4465, Jennifer.talhelm@
Will Roush, Wilderness Workshop Executive Director,
206-979-4016, will@wildernessworkshop.org
Matt Rice, American Rivers Colorado River Basin Program Director,
303-454-3395, mrice@americanrivers.org
David Nickum, Colorado Trout Unlimited Executive Director,
303-440-2937 x1, david.nickum@tu.org
Final agreement means Aspen will abandon plans to build dams on Maroon & Castle Creeks
Aspen, CO (Oct. 16, 2018) – Today, Wilderness Workshop, Western Resource Advocates, American Rivers, and Colorado Trout Unlimited celebrated news that the city of Aspen has reached the last agreement necessary for it to permanently abandon its plans to build dams on Maroon and Castle creeks. Note: Please see information at the end of this release about a happy hour celebration for the Aspen community.
“This agreement is a huge victory for the Maroon Bells Wilderness and the Maroon and Castle creeks. The city of Aspen deserves tremendous credit for agreeing not to build these dams and instead pursue smart water alternatives that will enable the city to respond to future needs and to climate change, while preserving this amazing natural environment that draws visitors from all around the world,” said Western Resource Advocates President Jon Goldin-Dubois. “Communities throughout the Colorado River basin face similar dilemmas; Aspen is showing true leadership by demonstrating that it’s possible to find solutions that protect our rivers, preserve our quality of life, and enable future growth.”
“The signing of this final document means the end of conditional water rights that would have allowed dams to be built across Castle and Maroon creeks. The city of Aspen played a leadership role in working to find a set of solutions that will both protect Castle and Maroon creeks and ensure continued water for the citizens of Aspen,” said Will Roush, Executive Director at Wilderness Workshop. “Castle and Maroon creeks have tremendous ecological and community values, this is a moment to celebrate both the continuation of their free-flowing character and the partnership and collaboration with the city of Aspen that led to this outcome.”
“This is a significant victory for rivers in the Roaring Fork Valley,” said Matt Rice, Colorado River Basin Director for American Rivers. “We applaud the city of Aspen for working with the community to find more sustainable and cost-effective water supply solutions. Thanks to the hard work and persistence of so many people who love this special place, these creeks will forever flow free.”
“Sacrificing the places that make Colorado great is the wrong answer for meeting future water needs,” said David Nickum, Executive Director of Colorado Trout Unlimited. “We appreciate the city of Aspen’s commitment to meet its water supply needs in ways that protect these much-loved valleys and creeks, and the wild trout that call them home.”
If built, the dams proposed on Maroon and Castle creeks would have flooded important wildlife and recreation areas in addition to portions of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, forever changing two of the most beautiful, visited, and photographed valleys in Colorado.
The plans were opposed by Wilderness Workshop, Western Resource Advocates, American Rivers, and Trout Unlimited, as well as several other parties, including Pitkin County and the U.S. Forest Service. This spring, after extensive negotiations, the conservation organizations signed agreements with the city, requiring it to relocate its water rights and abandon plans to build reservoirs with dams on Castle and Maroon creeks, regardless of whether it is successful in moving these rights to alternative locations. However, the agreements were contingent on the city reaching accord with other opposers in the case. Final agreement ending plans for a dam and reservoir on Castle Creek was reached in late summer. Today, the city announced a final settlement regarding the dam and reservoir on Maroon Creek.
The agreements commit Aspen to pursuing more river-friendly water storage strategies. The city will seek to move a portion of its water rights to a suite of more environmentally friendly water storage locations within and downstream of the city limits, including a site near the gravel quarry at Woody Creek. The city of Aspen played a critical role in helping find solutions to protect the two creeks while maintaining an important source of water for the community.
Please join us for a Happy Hour Celebration on Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at the Limelight Hotel in Aspen
The city of Aspen, American Rivers, Western Resource Advocates, Wilderness Workshop, and Trout Unlimited will co-host a happy hour to celebrate this win-win solution for the city’s water future. The public is invited to join staff from the four conservation organizations and the city of Aspen to celebrate the agreement, discuss the importance of balancing municipal water needs with conservation values, delve into the details of the agreement, and answer any questions from the public and media. The event is free and open to the public.
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Western Resource Advocates works to protect the West’s land, air, and water so that our communities thrive in balance with nature. WRA’s team of scientists, lawyers, and economists craft and implement innovative solutions to the most complex natural resource challenges in the region. For more information, visit www.westernresourceadvocates.
Wilderness Workshop is dedicated to preservation and conservation of the wilderness and natural resources of the White River National Forest and adjacent public lands. WW engages in research, education, legal advocacy and grassroots organizing to protect the ecological integrity of local landscapes and public lands. WW is the oldest environmental nonprofit in the Roaring Fork Valley, dating back to 1967 with a membership base of over 800. Learn more at http://www.wildernessworkshop.
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 275,000 members, supporters, and volunteers. Rivers connect us to each other, nature, and future generations. Find your connections at www.AmericanRivers.org.
Colorado Trout Unlimited is dedicated to conserving, protecting and restoring Colorado’s coldwater fisheries and their watersheds. With a grassroots base comprised of nearly 12,000 members in 24 local chapters across the state, CTU works both locally and statewide through advocacy, education, and on-the-ground restoration projects. For more information visit www.coloradotu.org.
October 16, 2018
Contact: John Cain, 510-388-8930
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Groundbreaking for the largest freshwater tidal marsh restoration project in California will begin tomorrow in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The Dutch Slough Tidal Marsh restoration project will restore and enhance nearly two square miles of habitat for fish and wildlife and provide new community parks and trails. The project is one of the first of several restoration projects planned by the state to restore fish and wildlife habitat in the Delta.
“This is the kind of large-scale effort we need to cope with rising sea levels, manage flood waters, and save endangered fish and wildlife,” said John Cain, Conservation Director for American Rivers. “This is one of the first of many multi-benefit flood management projects sponsored by the state to reduce flood risk, enhance recreational opportunities and restore habitat for fish and wildlife.”
The Dutch Slough project site was slated for residential development in the late 1990s. Up to 4,500 homes were permitted, despite the fact that most of the site is at or below sea level and the homes would have faced heightened flood risk. American Rivers Conservation Director John Cain persuaded the landowners to sell the site to the California Department of Water Resources to restore habitat for endangered species and help manage floodwaters.
The project will benefit a number of fish and wildlife species and help the region cope with rising sea levels. The project is specifically designed to provide nursery habitat for juvenile salmon that migrate through the Delta. Juvenile salmon that have plentiful food and habitat are far more likely to survive their journey to the Pacific Ocean and return as adults to their spawning grounds in the rivers of the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada. Sacramento splittail, another native fish that was once common in the Delta, use tidal marshes for spawning and rearing habitat.
“Most people assume that tidal marsh is a salt water environment, but the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta once supported more than 300,000 acres of freshwater tidal marsh,” said Cain. “One of the great benefits of this project is it will allow us to learn more about tidal marsh ecology and apply those lessons to other areas, maximizing our impact for endangered species.”
Like marine environments, the freshwater in the Delta fluctuates daily with the tides, but conversion of the historic marsh lands for agriculture in the 19th and early 20th century destroyed virtually all of this vast wetland.
Dutch Slough is on the Delta Shoreline at the mouth of Marsh Creek which drains the east side of Mt. Diablo. The Dutch Slough project is the first of several projects planned to restore fresh and brackish marsh in the Delta. Other freshwater tidal projects are planned for the Cache Slough, north of Rio Vista and the McCormick Williamson Project near Walnut Grove.
Improving shoreline access, educational, and recreational opportunities are some of the goals of the Dutch Slough project. When complete, the project will include a 55-acre community park at the end of Sellers Road, a non-motorized boat launch from the community park site, and six miles of new trail around large parts of the restoration site. These recreational amenities will not be completed for several years, but the public can view the restoration site today from the Marsh Creek trail.
Event information:
The groundbreaking will take place at 10:30am on Wednesday, October 17 at the Dutch Slough site at the end of Sellers Road.
October 15, 2018
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
“Philanthropist, investor and entrepreneur Paul Allen had a global impact on environmental conservation and sustainability. American Rivers is grateful for his personal commitment to river restoration and dam removal in the Pacific Northwest. His generosity will continue to drive salmon and orca recovery efforts and his influence will be felt for generations to come.”
– Bob Irvin, President and CEO, American Rivers
October 10, 2018
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington — Today, the Senate passed H.R. 3021, America’s Infrastructure Act of 2018, sending it to the White House to be signed into law. The bill contains significant measures that benefit rivers and clean water and will improve public health and safety.
Commonly referred to as the Water Resources Development Act, this legislation authorizes the Army Corps of Engineers to implement projects to reduce flood risk, improve navigation, and restore rivers across the nation. American Rivers applauded key highlights, including:
- The Corps must consider natural flood protection alternatives that give rivers room
- The Corps must consider, and can pursue, removal of dams and other outdated infrastructure
- Increased funding to replace lead fixtures and ensure safe drinking water
- Improvements to hydropower law while upholding environmental protections
- No rollbacks to core environmental safeguards
“This bill is a win for rivers and communities across the country, and represents a major step forward in the management and stewardship of our nation’s rivers,” said Bob Irvin, President and CEO of American Rivers. “We applaud the progress toward safer communities, healthier rivers and clean drinking water.”
“America’s Infrastructure Act of 2018 makes real progress on improving the nation’s infrastructure without undermining bedrock environmental laws. This bill proves that strong infrastructure and environmental protection go hand-in-hand. The authors of this bill, Representatives Shuster, DeFazio, Walden, and Pallone, along with Senators Barrasso, Carper, Inhofe, Cardin, Murkowski, and Cantwell should be congratulated for their leadership,” Irvin said.
The bill’s action on flood protection is timely, as climate change is bringing more frequent and severe flooding, and another hurricane is threatening the Southeastern U.S. The bill directs the Army Corps to consider natural infrastructure alternatives when developing projects to reduce flood risk.
“Natural infrastructure, including floodplains and wetlands, must be our first line of defense when mitigating flood damage. Restoring floodplains to give rivers more room to accommodate flood water, while shifting development to higher ground, is the best way to keep our communities safe,” said Irvin.
The bill also requires the Army Corps to consider environmental restoration options, including dam removal, when evaluating potentially outdated infrastructure. The bill clarifies that the Corps can pursue removal of outdated infrastructure under existing programs.
“This is great news for communities that are stuck with outdated dams. Getting rid of obsolete infrastructure and restoring a natural, free-flowing river makes sense for taxpayers, the environment and local economies. Having Congress direct the Corps to not only evaluate, but pursue dam removal when it makes sense, is a big step toward the restoration and revitalization of rivers nationwide,” said Irvin.
H.R. 3021 also addresses the nation’s clean drinking water needs. The bill doubles funding for drinking water infrastructure funded under the Safe Drinking Water Act and creates a new grant program to replace lead drinking water fixtures in schools.
“This is an important down payment on protecting our children’s future by ensuring that every school and every household has safe drinking water supplies,” Irvin said.
H.R. 3021 contains the most significant changes to hydropower law enacted in more than a decade. The bill will encourage utilities to upgrade their dams before their licenses expire, promotes the responsible electrification of non-powered federal dams, and makes it easier to generate electricity from conduits, all without undermining fundamental environmental protections.
Despite all of its positive reforms, H.R. 3021 is not perfect, and includes some harmful projects including the “One Lake Project” on the Pearl River in Mississippi. American Rivers named the Pearl River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2015 because of the threats the unproven flood management scheme poses to river health, fish and wildlife, and public safety.
“American Rivers will continue fighting the One Lake Project and other boondoggle projects that cause more harm than good,” said Irvin. “We believe every community deserves clean water and a healthy river.”
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 275,000 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.
September 21, 2018
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145, akober@americanrivers.org
In the wake of destruction brought by Hurricane Florence, American Rivers President Bob Irvin made the following statement:
“For the fourth year in a row, the Carolinas have been hit hard by devastating hurricanes and flooding. As a national conservation organization with offices in North Carolina and South Carolina, American Rivers joins with our friends and colleagues there in mourning those whose lives were lost and caring for those whose homes and businesses have been destroyed.
In particular, we recognize that communities of color are suffering disproportionately from the flood’s impacts and we stand with them in seeking to rectify the systemic inequities that have caused these impacts.
Our staff in the region are ready to assist Carolina communities with lasting river restoration and flood protection solutions as they clean up and rebuild. We encourage all of our supporters to help our friends and neighbors in the Carolinas with relief efforts.”
American Rivers has extensive expertise on dam safety and floodplain restoration. American Rivers named the Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers among America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2017 because of the threat of animal waste stored in floodplains.
American Rivers staff in the Carolinas are available for media interviews:
Gerrit Jobsis, Senior Director, Rivers of Southern Appalachia and the Carolinas:803-771-7114, gjobsis@americanrivers.org
Peter Raabe, Conservation Director, Rivers of Southern Appalachia & the Carolinas: 919-682-3500, praabe@americanrivers.org
American Rivers experts can speak to solutions including:
Protect and restore floodplains: Naturally functioning floodplains store floodwaters and reduce downstream flooding. We need to take advantage of these natural defenses. See https://www.americanrivers.org/threats-solutions/restoring-damaged-rivers/benefits-of-restoring-floodplains/
Get people out of harm’s way: Poorly planned growth has allowed development in flood prone areas, putting people in harm’s way. We need to replace developed areas with green spaces that can absorb floodwaters and buffer communities from damages.
Relocate industrial livestock feedlots out of vulnerable floodplains.See America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2017 listing of Neuse and Cape Fear rivers: https://www.americanrivers.org/2017/06/neuse-cape-fear-floodplain-protection/
Strengthen state dam safety laws and programs: More than 100 failed dams over the past three years make it clear that our current standards, especially for earthen dams which are by far the most likely to fail, do not provide safety with the reality of today’s extreme flooding.
Remove dams that do not meet safety requirements: We cannot wait until dams fail to take action. Poorly maintained and improperly designed dams need to be removed to protect downstream communities and infrastructure before they fail. See https://www.americanrivers.org/2016/10/removing-dams-can-save-lives/
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 275,000 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.
September 5, 2018
Contact:
Amy Kober, American Rivers, 503-708-1145
Lauri Munroe-Hultman, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 413-588-1005
Kate Brogan, NOAA, 202-603-9651
Baltimore – Conservation leaders, federal and state officials, and other partners gathered today on the Patapsco River to celebrate the removal of Bloede Dam – an effort that has been a decade in the making, and will have major benefits for fisheries, public safety, recreation, and the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
“Water is life, and healthy rivers are absolutely vital to our health, economy, and communities,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “Today, we’re celebrating a new chapter for the Patapsco and all of the people who depend on this river. This is one of the most significant dam removal and river restoration projects in the country. We applaud the exemplary leadership from the State of Maryland and the collaboration and dedication of many public and private partners.”
“Today marks a major milestone in the reclamation and restoration of the Patapsco River,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton said. “With the removal of Bloede Dam from within Patapsco Valley State Park, we return a river to its natural flow and state, enhance fish migration and passage, improve water quality in its banks and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay, and better protect and serve our guests and patrons. Many thanks to all of our partners and stakeholders, especially American Rivers.”
Bloede Dam has served no functional purpose for decades and has posed a serious public safety hazard in Patapsco Valley State Park. There have been a number of injuries and deaths, with at least nine dam-related deaths since the 1980s, the most recent of which occurred in June 2015. Keeping the dam in place also would have been costly to taxpayers — at least $1 million would have been needed for repairs to comply with Maryland dam safety requirements.
In addition to eliminating the public safety risk, dam removal will give a tremendous boost to the health of the river ecosystem, including fisheries critical to the food web of the Chesapeake Bay. Bloede Dam serves as the first barrier on the Patapsco River blocking migratory fish swimming to and from the Bay. Its removal is the linchpin of a decades-long restoration effort that also included the removal of Simkins Dam (2010) and Union Dam (2011). Removal of Bloede Dam will restore more than 65 miles of spawning habitat for blueback herring, alewife, American shad, and hickory shad in the watershed, and more than 183 miles for American eel.
“The removal of Bloede Dam would not be possible without long-term partnerships among NOAA, the State of Maryland, and American Rivers,” said Stuart Levenbach, Chief of Staff for NOAA. “This project exemplifies the multiple benefits of habitat restoration. Together, we will remove unnecessary and unsafe structures while enhancing the natural resiliency of the Patapsco River Valley to benefit local communities, and restore 65 miles of spawning habitat for species like herring, shad, and eel.”
The benefits of the project extend beyond the river environment to coastal habitats, where sediment carried by the river will replenish marshes and beaches, making the coast more resilient to extreme storms.
“We’re proud to work with our partners to restore the natural flow of the Patapsco River,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Regional Director Wendi Weber. “Free-flowing rivers create healthier coastal habitats for migratory fish and other wildlife and enhance recreational opportunities and public safety for nearby communities. What’s good for nature is good for people, too.”
Since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast in 2012, the Service has helped fund 30 coastal resilience projects in 11 states, using more than $100 million from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013. Twelve dam removals have restored nearly 100 miles of river to their natural state.
Following the initial blast of explosives to breach the dam, crews will continue demolition work for the next three months. The site will remain closed to the public until July 2019.
Removal of Bloede Dam was made possible through a partnership of American Rivers, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Friends of the Patapsco Valley State Park, as well as monitoring partners U.S. Geological Survey, Maryland Biological Stream Survey, Maryland Geological Survey and University of Maryland Baltimore County.
The total cost of the project is estimated at $17.3 million. Funding for the project has come from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, MDOT SHA, NOAA, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Coca-Cola Foundation and Keurig-Green Mountain.
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 275,000 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.
50th Anniversary of Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Puts Cache la Poudre River in Spotlight
An upcoming series of events in the Fort Collins area will give members of the public a chance to discover and celebrate the Cache la Poudre River, Colorado’s only Wild and Scenic River, permanently protected in 1986. The events in September and October include film festivals and volunteer projects, as well as storytelling and learning opportunities.
October 2, 2018 will mark the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, one of the most important conservation successes in our nation’s history. Wild and Scenic designation protects free-flowing rivers with outstanding natural, cultural and recreational values. The designation prohibits harmful development, preserves historic uses, and safeguards the river for future generations. Of the roughly three million miles of rivers in the country, only a little over 12,000 are protected as Wild and Scenic. In Colorado, a groundswell of local support spurred Congress to grant Wild and Scenic protection to the Cache la Poudre in 1986. The river flows from its headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park through Poudre Canyon before making its way through Fort Collins.
In Fort Collins and across the state, healthy rivers like the Poudre are vital to our drinking water, health, economy and communities. Rivers support a thriving outdoor industry, creating jobs and business opportunities, as well as supporting this region’s high quality of life. The Poudre is one of a kind, and this event series is a chance for people to celebrate and connect with the river the community loves so much.
Events include:
Thursday, September 6th, Wild & Scenic River Celebration, 5:00 – 8:00 PM at New Belgium Brewing
Info: Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act! We’ll have swag giveaways and opportunities take action on behalf of rivers near and far. Featuring the short film, PROTECTED: A Wild and Scenic River Portrait.
Hosts: American Rivers, American Whitewater, Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, and New Belgium Brewing
Learn more at www.WildAndScenic-Co.EventBrite.com
Wednesday, September 12th, Party for the Poudre, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM at the Island Grove Bunkhouse
Info: Join other lovers of the Poudre River for an informal mid-week, after-work benefit for the Poudre River Trail Corridor & Partners, The Poudre Learning Center, and Cache la Poudre National River Heritage Area! The event includes fancy foods and drink, and live entertainment by The Briana Harris Collective. Enjoy the refreshments, river program exhibits, and entertainment close to the River and in the company of others who appreciate the groups whose wonderful work on the river benefits us all.
Hosts: Poudre River Trail Corridor & Partners, The Poudre Learning Center, and Cache la Poudre National River Heritage Area
Learn more at https://www.poudreheritage.org/event/party-for-the-poudre-the-river/
Sunday, September 16th, Wild & Scenic Poudre River Celebration, 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM at the Mishawaka Amphitheater
Info: In observation of the signing of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act that preserves the Cache la Poudre and other rivers in the U.S., join us for a day of river education, preservation, restoration and celebration. Volunteers will have the choice of three concurrent opportunities in the morning to help restore, protect, and learn about important areas in the Wild and Scenic corridor. Activities move to Mishawaka Amphitheatre in the afternoon, with more opportunities to learn about the work partner organizations are doing to keep the Poudre healthy, flycasting with Rocky Mountain Flycasters, and live music from Ginger Whale and The Movers & Shakers.
Hosts: Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, US Forest Service, Odell Brewing Company, and The Mishawaka
Lean more at https://www.poudrewatershed.org/cprw-events/wild-scenic-celebration
Friday, September 28th, Wild and Scenic Film Festival, 6:30 PM at the Lory Student Center
Info: The Wild and Scenic Film Festival offers incredible stories of adventure and conservation, paired with stunning cinematography. This year, we’ve selected films that offer our audience a journey into some of the most beautiful places on earth, complemented by stories of inspiration, activism and finding solutions to restore our planet. In addition to films, we will celebrate 25 years in the community and 50 years of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act! All proceeds will support programs of the Larimer County Conservation Corps.
Hosts: Larimer County Conservation Corps
Learn more at larimerworkforce.org/wildandscenic
Wednesday, October 17th, River Stories at the Lyric Theater, 6:00 PM
Info: Part film festival, part Story Swap, part art exhibit, this event will bring together different stories about our own Poudre River. The event will also feature unique craft beers and kombucha, brewed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.
Hosts: CreatePlaces, Spruce Moose Foundation, and NoCoast Artists
Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/2164763823797775/
Participating Organizations include:
American Rivers
American Whitewater
BreWater
Cache la Poudre National River Heritage Area
Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed
CreatePlaces
Downtown Creative District
Horse & Dragon Brewing Company
Larimer County Conservation Corps
The Lyric
The Mishawaka
National Park Service
New Belgium Brewing
NoCoast Artists
Odell Brewing Company
The Poudre Learning Center
Poudre River Trail Corridor & Partners
Spruce Moose Foundation
US Forest Service
The VIA Company
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Date: September 27th at 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. EST
Communities continue to face significant challenges managing urban stormwater to reduce local and regional water quality impairments and flooding. A significant barrier for green infrastructure adoption and upgrading existing stormwater systems is a lack of funding. With limited public budgets, future stormwater strategies must create incentives and leverage private sector financing or capital to promote and implement green stormwater infrastructure adoption. Working in two differently situated Great Lakes cities, a partnership of American Rivers, Corona Environmental Consulting, and the Water Environment Federation are collaborating with local agency and municipal partners in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio to roll out green infrastructure funding strategies that will optimize public revenues, leverage private sector financing, and accelerate project delivery.
The Mayors Innovation Project is hosting a webinar to share this work with our membership. This presentation will discuss the background, history and context that led these agencies to consider a stormwater volumetric trading program, targeted grant programs and private sector capital as a means to address stormwater issues; an overview of stormwater exchange markets, using Grand Rapids, Michigan as a case study; and explore the various approaches to optimize grant programs, building off the partnership with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD).
The webinar will be presented by:
Jeff Odefey – Director, Clean Water Supply Program, American Rivers
Janet Clements – Senior Economist, Corona Environmental Consulting
Please join us on September 27th by registering at MayorsInnovation.org
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Ruling Puts Clean Water Rule in Effect for More than Half the Country
For Immediate Release: August 16, 2018
Media Contacts:
Kathleen Sullivan, SELC, ksullivan@selcnc.org or 919-945-7106
Michael Kelly, Clean Water Action, mkelly@cleanwater.org or o: 202-895-0420×103
Amy Kober, American Rivers, akober@americanrivers.org or 503-708-1145
Charleston, S.C. – A federal judge in South Carolina today struck down the administration’s effort to strip away crucial clean water protections from rivers, lakes, streams and other waters that feed drinking-water sources for nearly 20 million people in the South and 117 million people across the country. Today’s decision follows a legal challenge filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. The ruling ends the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ suspension of clean water protections under the Clean Water Act, one of the nation’s bedrock environmental laws, and puts the Clean Water Rule back in effect for more than half of the country. This ruling does not apply to 24 states where other legal challenges are pending.
“This is a victory for families and communities across America who depend on clean water, and a rebuke to the polluting industries trying to gut this nation’s bedrock health and environmental safeguards,” said Geoff Gisler, senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, which is representing the coalition of conservation groups before the court. “Water is a way of life in the South, where clean water is the lifeblood of our economy. We are thrilled the court rejected this administration’s blatant attempts to undermine safeguards that are critical to our nation’s welfare without being accountable to the American people.”
The Southern Environmental Law Center filed the initial challenge in February on behalf of American Rivers, Clean Water Action, Defenders of Wildlife, Charleston Waterkeeper, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Coastal Conservation League, Friends of the Rappahannock, North Carolina Coastal Federation, and North Carolina Wildlife Federation.
“This is a huge win for protecting rivers, wetlands and clean drinking water,” said Bob Irvin, president and CEO of American Rivers. “The court makes clear that the Trump administration cannot ignore the law, science, or the views of the American people in its rush to undermine protection of rivers and clean water.”
“Today’s decision affirms that rule of law, not politics, must dictate how regulatory decisions are made,” said Jennifer Peters, Clean Water Action’s National Water Programs director. “The Clean Water Rule was adopted with tremendous public support, a fact the Trump administration cannot brazenly ignore. The Administration should immediately scrap its plan to strip critical Clean Water Act protections for certain streams and wetlands and instead ensure all our nation’s waters are safeguarded from harmful pollution.”
“The Suspension Rule typified this administration’s disregard for the environment, the rule of law, and public input,” said Steven Goldstein, legal fellow at Defenders of Wildlife. “Judge Norton’s opinion is not only a victory for clean water but serves as a reminder that scientific and procedural integrity matter.”
“This is a great win in the ongoing effort to finally implement understandable, protective clean water laws based in sound science,” said Kevin Jeselnik, general counsel for the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. “Industries will benefit from the clarity the Clean Water Rule provides, and the millions of anglers, paddlers and others will enjoy cleaner, safer water in the Chattahoochee River and its tributaries.”
Their lawsuit contended that EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated fundamental laws that prohibit agencies from removing basic environmental safeguards without telling the public what they are doing, revealing the impact of those changes, and giving the public a chance to weigh in. The court held that the agencies refusal to allow meaningful public comment doomed the rule, stating that “An illusory opportunity to comment is no opportunity at all.” The agencies failed at their most basic responsibilities: evaluating the effect of their reckless actions and allowing the public to comment on their decision to eliminate scientifically backed protections for rivers, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
Finalized after 200 days of public comment and review of 1,200 studies, the Clean Water Rule used science to draw clear lines about what American waters are protected from pollution by the Clean Water Act. It replaced a confusing, case-by-case regime with clearer protection for critical waters such as small streams that flow into our rivers and lakes, wetlands that shelter wildlife, and uniquely southern wetlands such as pocosins and Carolina Bays.
The administration’s suspension of standards under the Clean Water Act was the first of several steps the administration plans to take to repeal long-standing clean water protections, which could strip away safeguards from wetlands, rivers, lakes, and drinking water sources that our families and communities use.
About Southern Environmental Law Center
For more than 30 years, the Southern Environmental Law Center has used the power of the law to champion the environment of the Southeast. With over 70 attorneys and nine offices across the region, SELC is widely recognized as the Southeast’s foremost environmental organization and regional leader. SELC works on a full range of environmental issues to protect our natural resources and the health and well-being of all the people in our region. www.SouthernEnvironment.org
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 275,000 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 2, 2018
Contact: Mike Fiebig: 406-600-4061
Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Bozeman – In a victory for bipartisanship and healthy rivers, Montana’s East Rosebud Creek became the nation’s newest Wild and Scenic River today, when President Trump signed the bill into law, adding 20 miles of the stream to the national system of protected rivers.
East Rosebud Creek, part of the Yellowstone River watershed and known for its spectacular scenery, trout-fishing and other recreation is the first river protected in 2018, the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and is the first Wild and Scenic River designated in Montana in 42 years.
“This is a great victory for public lands and waters in the 50th anniversary year of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “We applaud the local residents who have worked so hard to safeguard this special river. Protection of East Rosebud Creek enjoyed strong bipartisan support. This is a great example of how, despite political differences, rivers connect us, and how we all benefit when we protect healthy rivers.”
The legislation to protect East Rosebud Creek on the Custer Gallatin National Forest as Wild and Scenic was championed by U.S. Sen. Jon Tester (D), Sen. Steve Daines (R) and Rep. Greg Gianforte (R).
The effort to protect East Rosebud Creek was supported by local ranchers, businesses, homeowners, sportsmen and conservationists including the local group Friends of East Rosebud.
The campaign to permanently protect East Rosebud Creek began in 2009, when Bozeman-based Hydrodynamics Inc. applied for a permit to build a dam on public land just below the outlet of East Rosebud Creek within the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The hydropower project, which would have been built within the Wild and Scenic eligible reach, included building an eight-foot high, 100-foot wide diversion dam, a two-mile long penstock, substation, powerhouse and transmission lines.
American Rivers and our conservation partners filed formal objections to the project and eventually convinced the hydropower company to abandon it in 2013. The protection afforded by the Wild and Scenic designation will forever prohibit construction of new dams or other harmful projects on East Rosebud Creek.
East Rosebud Creek tumbles from the Beartooth Plateau near Granite Peak, (Montana’s highest at 12,807 feet) and flows into the Stillwater River, a tributary of the Yellowstone. The area is a popular destination for trout anglers, whitewater paddlers, hikers, and rock climbers.
“There is strong momentum in local communities nationwide to protect more Wild and Scenic Rivers,” said Irvin. “American Rivers and our partners are advancing the 5,000 Miles of Wild® campaign to protect 5,000 new miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. As we celebrate the victory on East Rosebud Creek, our work continues to ensure we leave a legacy of healthy rivers for future generations across the country.”
Learn more at www.5000miles.org
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 275,000 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.
