February 16, 2017
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145 or Jessie Thomas-Blate, 609-658-4769
(Washington) – Communities in 21 states, working in partnership with non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies, removed 72 dams in 2016, restoring more than 2,100 miles of streams to benefit public safety, local economies and our nation’s natural heritage.
Dams were removed in the following states in 2016: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
In 2016, Pennsylvania had the highest number of removals for the fourteenth year in a row. The top three states removing outdated dams in 2016 were:
- Pennsylvania – 10 dams removed
- North Carolina – 8 dams removed
- Minnesota– 6 dams removed
“Removing outdated dams has become popular across the country because it gives communities improved public safety, better water quality and more opportunities for local business and recreation,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.
According to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, America’s dams are degrading faster than they are being repaired, the number of high hazard dams has increased over time, and the cost to rehabilitate dams continues to rise. By 2020, seventy percent of dams in the United States will be more than 50 years old. Aging dams can pose a serious safety threat for individuals and entire communities.
“Removing a dam can save lives,” Irvin said. “Whether it’s a small dam that presents a drowning hazard to swimmers and boaters, or an old dam in disrepair that threatens downstream communities if it fails, local leaders are removing dams to protect the public.”
River restoration also delivers economic benefits. A 2012 study found that every $1 million spent on Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration projects resulted in 10 to 13 jobs created or maintained. A 2010 study in Oregon found that every $1 million spent on forest and watershed restoration resulted in 15-23 new jobs and $2.1 – 2.3 million in economic activity. The economic benefits of dam removal are summarized in a 2016 report by Headwaters Economics: https://headwaterseconomics.org/wphw/wp-content/uploads/Report-Dam-Removal-Case-Studies.pdf
“Americans love their rivers, and dam removal is a win-win solution,” Irvin said.
American Rivers is the only organization maintaining a record of dam removals in the United States. The database includes information on 1,384 dams that have been removed across the country since 1912. Most of those dams (1,174) were removed in the past 30 years.
American Rivers played a role in 18 of the dam removals on this year’s list. The list includes all known dam removals, regardless of the extent of American Rivers’ involvement.
To accompany the 2016 list, American Rivers updated the interactive map that includes all known dam removals in the United States as far back as 1916. Visit www.AmericanRivers.org/DamRemovalsMap
Highlights of dam removal and river restoration efforts in 2016 include:
Ottine Dam, San Marcos River, Texas
This 108-year old dam was damaged by a storm in 2008 and had been a safety hazard in the San Marcos River ever since. Dam removal restored 39 miles of river, benefitting kayakers and canoeists as well as fish and wildlife. Boaters participating in the Texas Water Safari annual race from the San Marcos headwaters to the coast will no longer be required to carry their equipment up and down a steep incline to bypass the dam. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is considering adding the restored stretch of river to the paddling trails system for Palmetto State Park. For more information: https://www.fws.gov/southwest/docs/OttineDamNR012016.pdf
Hogansburg Dam, Saint Regis River, New York
Following the decision that re-licensing of the Hogansburg Project was cost-prohibitive, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe led the removal of the 281-foot long and 12-foot high Hogansburg Dam. Completion of the project marked the first removal of a federally-licensed dam in the U.S. by a Native American tribe, and the first removal of a hydropower dam in New York State. As the first impassible barrier to fish on the St. Regis River, removal of the dam restored access to 555 miles of stream habitat and returned project land to the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. For more information: http://www.srmtenv.org/index.php?spec=2016/04/wrp/hogansburg-dam-removal
Shuford Mill Dam, Henry Fork River, North Carolina
The Shuford Mill Dam, formerly a 35-foot tall, 275-foot wide masonry and concrete dam on the Henry Fork River in Brookford, North Carolina, had outlived its usefulness. It was constructed in the late 1800s to power an adjacent textile mill, which closed years ago. Dam removal eliminated the public safety risk posed by the unmaintained dam, improved the local community’s access to safe recreation on the Henry Fork River, and restored ten miles of river habitat for fish and wildlife. This project is an excellent example of partnership among American Rivers and other non-profit, state and federal partners. For more information: https://www.americanrivers.org/2016/08/shuford-dam-removal/
Hughesville Dam, Musconetcong River, New Jersey
The removal of Hughesville Dam, the lowest blockage on the Musconetcong River, helps restore fish and wildlife and water quality in this federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Dam removal restored access to two miles of historic river herring spawning and nursery habitat, and will benefit American shad, alewife and American eel. The Musconetcong Watershed Association coordinated work with property owners, engineers, contractors and partners including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, American Rivers and others. For more information: http://www.musconetcong.org/upcomingprojects.php
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.
Contact: Ben Emanuel, 706-340-8868 or Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
February 15, 2017
Washington – A ruling this week on management of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin, named America’s Most Endangered River in 2016, shows the effort to restore river health and ensure secure water supplies is far from over.
The Special Master appointed to oversee the trial in Florida v. Georgia, the State of Florida’s original action against Georgia in the U.S. Supreme Court, heard arguments from both sides and yesterday issued his report to the Court.
The state of Florida alleged that Georgia’s ever-increasing water consumption from the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) river system is damaging the environment and the local economy in northwest Florida’s Apalachicola River and Apalachicola Bay.
The Special Master, attorney Ralph Lancaster of Portland, Maine, recommended that the Supreme Court deny Florida’s request for relief via a water consumption cap imposed on Georgia. Although he acknowledged that Apalachicola Bay has suffered due to declining river flows, Lancaster noted that capping Georgia’s water consumption may not increase river flows if there are not changes in management by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as well. The Court will decide whether to adopt, modify or reject the Special Master’s recommendations.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“Though we’re disappointed that the Special Master did not recommend changes to water management, he did recognize the damage being done to the rivers and communities of the basin. The debate over water management in the ACF Basin is far from over. The states of Georgia, Florida and Alabama must come together to create a workable water-sharing agreement. And, it’s more important than ever that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers improve management of its facilities to support healthy rivers and communities throughout the basin.”
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
February 10, 2017
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – The failure of a dam in northern Nevada yesterday and the appearance of a 30-foot deep hole in the spillway of the nation’s tallest dam – Oroville Dam in California – highlight the crumbling of our nation’s water infrastructure and the danger posed by aging dams.
The earthen Twentyone Mile Dam on Thousand Springs Creek in Elko County, Nevada burst following heavy rains. On the Feather River in California, erosion created a hole in the concrete spillway of the 770-foot tall Oroville Dam. Nobody was injured in the Nevada dam failure and officials say the hole in Oroville Dam’s spillway does not endanger the integrity of the dam or safety of downstream communities.
According to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials, America’s dams are degrading faster than they are being repaired, the number of high hazard dams has increased over time, and the cost to rehabilitate dams continues to rise.
By 2020, seventy percent of dams in the United States will be more than 50 years old. Aging dams can pose a serious safety threat for individuals and entire communities.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“Outdated dams can threaten communities. When they fail, they can destroy lives and property. Thankfully nobody was injured in Elko County, but this event raises the alarm about the danger that aging dams pose to many communities.”
“It is critical we make the right investments to ensure our rivers are healthy and our nation’s water infrastructure is safe. More frequent and intense storms and floods are straining aging dams and other infrastructure.”
“Where appropriate, communities are using dam removal as a solution to address the problem of dangerous, outdated dams,” he said.
American Rivers said that states can strengthen their dam safety programs by:
- Making it the responsibility of dam owners to inspect and maintain their dams;
- Requiring more frequent, detailed inspections of hazardous dams;
- Increasing penalties for unsafe dams and violations; and,
- Requiring dam owners to ensure that funds are available to repair or remove dams in the event they can’t or won’t meet safety standards.
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.
February 6, 2017
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – Reversing a decision it made in December, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today that it will approve the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline to cross the Missouri River.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“We are disappointed with this decision and the reversal of the Corps’ determination in December that the project needed a thorough environmental review, along with the consideration of alternatives. A change in administration does not change the requirements of the law.”
“American Rivers supports the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s efforts to secure clean water for its people now and in the future. The tribe is a sovereign nation and has every right to protect the health and safety of its members as well as the lands and waters vital to its culture and heritage. The Dakota Access Pipeline deserves a full environmental review, with meaningful consultation with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.”
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.
February 2, 2017
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – The U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today, with no Democrats present, supported the confirmation of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt as Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
In response, Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, released the following statement:
“Scott Pruitt is the wrong choice to lead EPA and we are disappointed the Committee voted to move his nomination forward.”
“Clean water is essential for every American. As Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Scott Pruitt has consistently worked to undermine clean water safeguards. He has fought to overturn protections for streams that provide drinking water for millions of Americans and sided with polluters at the expense of ordinary citizens.”
“Americans deserve an EPA Administrator who will protect our rivers and clean water. When the Pruitt nomination comes to the floor, the full Senate should reject his nomination.”
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.
January 19, 2017
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – American Rivers applauded the Obama Administration today for acting to protect the health of the Mississippi River and protect communities from flood damage. The agencies agreed not to move forward with a decades-long effort by the Army Corps of Engineers to construct the New Madrid Levee Project.
American Rivers named the Mississippi River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® in 2014 because of the threat the levee project posed to river health, habitat and public safety. See: http://www.americanrivers.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/mer_2014.pdf
As a result of the Obama Administration’s action, floodwaters will continue to reach 70,000 acres of floodplain, nourishing spawning and rearing habitat for fish in the middle Mississippi River as well as essential habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.
Blocking levee construction also ensures that the New Madrid Floodway, located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, will continue to safely store floodwaters during catastrophic floods, protecting regional communities. The New Madrid Floodway serves as a “relief valve” when high water in the Mississippi threatens nearby towns including Cairo, IL.
“This is a big win for one of our nation’s most iconic rivers,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “We applaud the Obama Administration for acting to safeguard communities from flood damage and protect vital fish and wildlife habitat. Today’s announcement underscores the importance of connecting rivers with their floodplains in the Mississippi River Basin and nationwide.”
The Mississippi River once experienced seasonal floods that spread out over its floodplain, creating a mosaic of backwaters, wetlands and sloughs. These periodic floods were the driving force behind robust and diverse ecosystems that were home to an abundant array of fish, birds and wildlife. Over the past century, levees and flood control projects cut off the river from its floodplain, destroying habitat and impacting river health. Stopping the New Madrid Levee preserves the last connection the middle Mississippi has to its floodplain.
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.
December 28, 2016
Contact: Matthew Moseley, (303) 887 -0826
Aspen should instead use this as an opportunity to forever protect Maroon and Castle creeks from dams
ASPEN, CO — Today American Rivers filed a Statement of Opposition with the Colorado Water Court to an application by The City of Aspen to continue conditional water rights to pursue two large dams at the foot of the Maroon Bells and on Castle Creek near Ashcroft. The proposed 155-foot dam on Maroon Creek and 175-foot dam on Castle Creek would flood portions of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, forever changing the iconic and world-renowned valleys. Aspen’s own 2016 water availability report clearly states that Aspen does not need these dams.
Matt Rice, director of the Colorado River Basin Program, made the following statement:
“Aspen does not need these dams for municipal water supply, climate resiliency, or for stream protection – now or at any time in the foreseeable future. Why not come up with a solution that does not involve dams? If the city were to determine sometime in the future that new storage is needed, reservoirs that flood wilderness on Castle and Maroon Creeks would be the last place in the valley they would consider. We believe the best time to get bad projects off the books is as early as possible and this diligence filing is that opportunity for the city to do so.”
Dave Nickum, the executive director of Colorado Trout Unlimited also made a statement:
“We hope that Aspen will take this opportunity to work with stakeholders on better solutions for its water future. Building dams on free-flowing streams in one of Colorado’s most iconic wilderness areas is the last approach we should be taking to meet water needs in the 21st Century. It is time to look forward toward new strategies, instead of relying on flawed ideas from the past.”
Conditional is the crucial word here. According to the Colorado Standards for Due Diligence and Colorado Water Law, the City of Aspen can only possess these rights on the condition they develop the dams. That is what the water right was granted for in 1965. If the city does not renew these rights they simply vanish. No one else can claim these water rights. There are many examples of entities giving up such conditional water rights, most notably Denver Water on the Eagle River Project and the Colorado River District canceling conditional water rights on the Crystal River.
Organizations including American Rivers, Trout Unlimited, Western Resource Advocates, Wilderness Workshop and others are engaged because they want to preserve Castle and Maroon Creeks for future generations–a value that we believe is shared by the City of Aspen. The Pitkin County Board of Commissioners and the U.S. Forest Service are also opposing Aspen’s application.
See Facebook page here with a petition: https://www.facebook.com/Preserve-Maroon-and-Castle-Creek-1320098754701449/
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.
December 23, 2016
Contact:
Drew Peternell, (303) 204-3057, dpeternell@tu.org.
Matt Rice, (803) 422-5244, mrice@americanrivers.org,
Paul Bruchez, (907) 531-2008, reedercreekranch@gmail.com
(Kremmling, CO)—The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) this week announced $7.75 million in funding for an ambitious slate of projects to address the impacts on the Colorado River of trans-mountain diversions of water from the West Slope to the Front Range. Fisheries conservation group Trout Unlimited is the lead partner on the grant application.
The Colorado River Headwaters Project received $7,758,830 from the NRCS’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to improve irrigation systems and reverse the decline in water quality and fish habitat in the headwaters of the Colorado River.
Led by an array of partners representing conservation interests, agriculture, local government, water providers, state agencies, and landowners, the Headwaters Project will create a bypass channel to reconnect the Colorado River at Windy Gap Reservoir, make channel and habitat improvements downstream of the bypass near Kremmling, Colorado, to support healthy river habitat, and improve irrigation systems as well as soil and water quality.
When fully implemented, the Headwaters Project will directly benefit more than 30 miles of the Colorado River and 4,500 acres of irrigated lands that provide sage grouse habitat and make available up to 11,000 acre-feet of water to improve the river during low-flow conditions.
“This is a huge win for the Colorado River,” said Drew Peternell, director of Trout Unlimited’s Colorado Water Project. “We’re seeing an exciting and ambitious conservation vision for the upper Colorado become reality. With this funding, we’ll be able to put the ecosystem pieces of the upper Colorado River back together and restore the river and its trout fishery to health.”
“The Headwaters of the Colorado project is a great example of how municipal water providers, ranchers, conservation organizations and others can work together to restore an important reach the Colorado River for both the environment and agricultural operations with benefits downstream,” said Matt Rice, director of the Colorado River Basin Program at American Rivers. “A collaboration like this would have been unheard of 10 years ago. It’s a win for everyone in Colorado.”
At present, transmountain diversions divert over 60 percent of the upper Colorado River’s native flows across the Continental Divide for use in the Front Range and northern Colorado. The resulting low flows in the river have seriously undermined the operations of irrigation systems and the health of the Colorado River in the project area. Low flows make it difficult for irrigators to divert water, especially during drought, and also raise water temperatures and hamper the river’s ability to transport sediment, leading to sediment buildup on the riverbed that degrades aquatic habitat.
Local ranchers wanted to address these irrigation problems as well as river health, said Paul Bruchez, a Kremmling-area rancher who organized his neighboring landowners into the Irrigators of Lands in the Vicinity of Kremmling (ILVK) group, a key project partner. The project will install several innovative instream structures designed to provide adequate water levels for irrigation while also improving critical fish habitat. This will be the first project in the country to demonstrate these stream engineering practices on a significant scale.
“This news is life-changing for the headwaters of the Colorado River and those who rely on it,” said Bruchez. “Years ago, water stakeholders in this region were at battle. Now, it is a collaboration that will create resiliency and sustainability for the health of the river and its agricultural producers. Healthy ranches need healthy rivers, and the RCPP funding will help sustain both.”
The Windy Gap Reservoir bypass and the Kremmling area river improvements address several pieces of the puzzle in a long-term, regional effort to restore the upper Colorado River. Other pieces include agreements that TU helped negotiate with Denver Water and the Northern Colorado Water District that contained significant river protections as well as an innovative, long-term monitoring and adaptive management process (called “Learning by Doing”) that requires stakeholders to work together to ensure the future health of the river. That progress and collaboration is all the more remarkable coming after years of conflict between West Slope interests and conservation groups concerned about the health of the river, and Front Range water providers seeking to divert more water across the Divide.
“What’s happening on the upper Colorado shows that water users can work together to ensure river health while meeting diverse uses,” said TU’s Peternell. “This project is a model of what cooperation and collaboration can achieve in meeting our water challenges in Colorado and the Colorado River Basin.”
Other Headwaters Project partners who will provide assistance include the Northern Water Conservation District, Denver Water, Colorado River Conservation District, Middle Park Soil Conservation District, Colorado Water Conservation Board, Grand County, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
About Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited is the nation’s largest coldwater conservation organization, with 147,000 members dedicated to conserving, protecting, and restoring North America’s trout and salmon fisheries and their watersheds. Colorado Trout Unlimited has more than 10,000 grassroots members across the state.
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.
December 15, 2016
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – Reacting to the announcement that the Obama Administration will block development of a copper and nickel mine near Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“American Rivers named the Boundary Waters among America’s Most Endangered Rivers™ in 2013 because of the threat this mine posed to clean water and one of our nation’s natural treasures. Today’s announcement is a great victory for all of our partners and the tens of thousands of people across the country who took action to safeguard this special place. We applaud the Obama Administration for acting to protect the Boundary Waters and its pristine rivers, abundant fish and wildlife and world-class recreation opportunities for future generations.”
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/AmericanRiversand Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
December 14, 2016
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – President-elect Donald Trump has selected Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) as his nominee for Secretary of the Interior, to oversee conservation and management of thousands of miles of rivers and 500 million acres of public lands including national parks, wildlife refuges and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“Of the short list of finalists who President-elect Trump was reportedly considering for Secretary of the Interior, we believe Rep. Zinke has the most balanced track record when it comes to conserving our nation’s lands, waters and wildlife. We are encouraged by the fact that he has opposed transferring federal public lands to the states, supported permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and fought to protect East Rosebud Creek as Montana’s first new Wild and Scenic River in 40 years. However, we have serious concerns about some of the views he has expressed on expanding logging, mining, and oil and gas drilling on our public lands, and we are disappointed that he has consistently opposed efforts to restore protections for clean water and combat climate change.”
“The Secretary of the Interior plays a crucial role in the management of our nation’s rivers and water supplies. Our next Secretary of the Interior must prioritize the protection and restoration of rivers nationwide. Rivers provide clean drinking water for two-thirds of Americans. They are economic engines for local businesses, and backyard escapes for families to experience the joy of the outdoors. As an angler, Rep. Zinke knows this firsthand.”
“Important river restoration and water supply agreements such as those on the Klamath, San Joaquin, and Colorado are at stake, along with the health of thousands of miles of rivers and streams nationwide. With drought gripping western states, wild salmon runs on the brink of extinction in the Columbia and Snake rivers, and climate change threatening local communities and economies nationwide, we need a Secretary of the Interior who will prioritize restoration, protection and stewardship of our nation’s natural resources.”
“With the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act approaching in 2018, American Rivers is committed to protecting and defending our nation’s free-flowing, wild rivers. If confirmed, we look forward to working with Secretary Zinke to safeguard more Wild and Scenic Rivers for the benefit of all Americans.”
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/AmericanRiversand Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
December 9, 2016
Contact Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington –President-elect Donald Trump is expected to appoint Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) as Secretary of the Interior to oversee conservation and management of thousands of miles of rivers and 500 million acres of public lands including National Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges and the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“President-elect Trump’s choice of Cathy McMorris Rodgers for Secretary of the Interior raises concerns about what kind of Interior Secretary she will be and her commitment to conserving our rivers, clean water supplies, wild salmon and our nation’s priceless natural heritage.”
“Over the past two years, Rep. McMorris Rodgers authored and championed legislation to roll back protections at hydropower dams, weakening safeguards for clean water, fish and wildlife and public lands, and undermining the protection of tribal lands in hydroelectric dam relicensing proceedings. By contrast, in 2013 Rep. McMorris Rodgers worked with American Rivers on successful legislation to promote hydropower without undermining bedrock environmental laws like the Clean Water Act. We hope that, if confirmed as Interior Secretary, she will return to that approach and work for the conservation interests of the American people, not just the interests of large energy companies.”
“Important river restoration and water supply agreements such as those on the Klamath, San Joaquin, and Colorado are at stake, along with the health of thousands of miles of rivers and streams nationwide. With drought gripping western states, wild salmon runs on the brink of extinction in the Columbia and Snake rivers, and climate change threatening local communities and economies nationwide, we need a Secretary of the Interior who will prioritize restoration, protection and stewardship of our nation’s natural resources.”
“Our rivers and public lands are vital to the health and well-being of our nation. They provide clean drinking water sources for downstream communities, economic engines for local businesses, and backyard escapes for families to experience the joy of the outdoors. We must protect these special places, not open them even more to unfettered oil and gas development, mining, and new dams and diversions.”
“With the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act approaching in 2018, American Rivers is committed to protecting and defending our nation’s free-flowing, wild rivers.”
“We hope that the Senate will carefully scrutinize Rep. McMorris Rodgers’s record on clean water, public lands, fish and wildlife, climate change, and other environmental issues in deciding whether to confirm her to lead the Department of the Interior.”
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/AmericanRiversand Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.
December 7, 2016
Contact Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington, DC – President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) raises major concerns for clean drinking water and river health nationwide, American Rivers said today.
President-elect Trump announced he will nominate Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt, who worked to overturn the Clean Water Rule and who opposes efforts to fight climate change, to run the agency whose mission is protecting human health and the environment.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“This appointment raises serious alarms for all Americans who value rivers and the clean water they provide. As Oklahoma’s Attorney General, Scott Pruitt sued to block the Clean Water Rule, issued by EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which restored federal protection under the Clean Water Act to headwater streams and wetlands. Mr. Pruitt has also sued to block EPA’s Clean Power Plan which would reduce pollution that causes climate change and harms rivers.”
“Every family in the United States deserves clean, safe drinking water flowing from their taps. Rivers provide drinking water for 2/3 of Americans. By filing suit to overturn the Clean Water Rule, Scott Pruitt called into question his commitment to protecting clean water for every American. We hope that Senators will carefully scrutinize Mr. Pruitt’s record on clean water, climate change, and other environmental issues in deciding whether to confirm him to lead EPA.”
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/AmericanRiversand Twitter.com/AmericanRivers.