December 4, 2016

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

Statement of Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers

Washington – In a victory for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and clean water advocates, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced Sunday that it would not grant an easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline under the Missouri River’s Lake Oahe. The Army Corps will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for alternative routes, which will include opportunities for public comment.

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

“Today’s announcement is a great victory for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and downstream communities, whose clean drinking water supplies would have been threatened by the proposed pipeline route. We applaud the Army Corps of Engineers and the Obama Administration for taking the prudent step of requiring a full environmental review of this controversial project.

“The thousands who have gathered at Standing Rock over the past several months have sent a strong message that has resonated across our country and across the world: Water is life. The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe has demonstrated what is possible when you stand up for clean water and healthy rivers with peace, purpose and determination.”

American Rivers calls for in-depth environmental study of proposed Dominion transmission line project.

Statement of Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

(Washington, DC) – American Rivers urged the Army Corps of Engineers today to conduct a full Environmental Impact Study to assess the impacts of Dominion Virginia Power’s proposal to construct a high voltage aerial electrical transmission line across Virginia’s James River.

Calling it “America’s Founding River,” the national conservation organization pointed to the many scenic, historic and cultural values of the James. The river is also critical habitat for Atlantic sturgeon, a species that has existed for 120 million years. Constructing the transmission line will have significant impact on the species’ habitat.

The proposed Surry-Skiffes Creek – Whealton project includes 17 high-voltage towers, nearly as tall as the Statue of Liberty, that would cross directly through one of our nation’s most historically significant river landscapes, the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail – the only river segment in the state recognized by the Virginia General Assembly as a “Historic River.”

The stretch of the James that would be impacted by the project is listed in the Nationwide Rivers Inventory; it has been judged to have “outstandingly remarkable” historical values of more than local or regional significance.

“Sustainable power production and transmission are critical needs, but it’s important we look at alternatives to this plan that could serve the region’s evolving needs while preserving the character and values of the James River,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.

“The public is deeply connected to this area and the river due to its historical significance and aesthetic beauty. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 2018, interest will only increase,” said Irvin.

The National Environmental Policy Act requires the Army Corps of Engineers to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement prior to issuing any permit for a project such as this with potentially significant negative impacts. To date, 30 conservation organizations have called for the Corps to require Dominion to perform this study before making a permit decision.

“We need to work together to provide alternative solutions that would not endanger the Commonwealth’s priceless heritage and ‘America’s Founding River,’” Irvin said.

November 9, 2016

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

(Washington, DC) – Following one of the most divisive presidential elections in American history culminating in the election of Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States, American Rivers underscored the importance of clean water and healthy rivers to the well-being of all Americans. The national river conservation organization vowed to safeguard clean water supplies, defend rivers from harmful development and work at the local, state and national levels to ensure all communities can realize the many benefits of healthy rivers.

American Rivers released A Nation of Rivers: A River Conservation Agenda for the New Administration available at www.AmericanRivers.org/RiverAgenda

“Whether you are a Republican, Democrat, Green or Independent, we all need clean and safe water. Nothing in the election results changes the fact that clean water and healthy rivers are more important than ever for our families and communities. As a nation, we need to focus on what unites us, not divides us. At American Rivers, we will redouble our efforts to protect and restore rivers because they are essential to our nation’s economy and environment, and the health and well-being of every American,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.

“Rivers connect us, and clean water can and should be a bipartisan issue. Clean water is one of the most pressing issues facing our nation. Too many communities have been rocked by water crises, from lead-poisoned water in Flint, Michigan to toxic algae fouling drinking water supplies in Toledo, Ohio, to a chemical spill in West Virginia’s Elk River. Flooding recently devastated communities across the Carolinas while drought grips many western states. The management of our water resources has a direct impact on the health and well-being of every American.”

“The need for action is urgent. Our nation’s water infrastructure is outdated and climate change is increasing the intensity and frequency of floods and droughts. By uniting around healthy rivers, we can improve public health and safety, ensure reliable water supplies, grow our economy and boost quality of life in communities nationwide.”

A Nation of Rivers: A River Conservation Agenda for the New Administration presents six priority actions that will benefit rivers and communities:

1. Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act with a bold initiative to strengthen and expand the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
2. Establish a Clean Water Trust Fund to finance improvements to natural and man-made infrastructure to ensure that clean water is readily available to all Americans.
3. Adopt integrated water resources management as the organizing principle for federal water management.
4. Launch an “Open Rivers Initiative” to coordinate and prioritize dam removal across the country.
5. Improve protection and management of the nation’s floodplains.
6. Prioritize and focus Farm Bill programs and other agriculture funding to solve water and river conservation challenges.

“From protecting our last wild rivers to removing outdated dams to improving water infrastructure and floodplain management, this agenda outlines specific river conservation priorities for the new administration. For the sake of our nation’s priceless river heritage, the health of our children and the prosperity of our country, we are ready to work with the new administration to achieve these goals,” Irvin said.

Rivers provide more than two-thirds of our drinking water supplies. They are vital to fish and wildlife. River-related recreation and tourism contributes more than $97 billion to the U.S. economy each year, according to the Outdoor Industry Foundation. Healthy rivers are economic engines and water is a smart investment: every $1 spent on water infrastructure generates nearly $3 to the private economy, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

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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.

November 3, 2016

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

Public petition at http://act.americanrivers.org/page/s/nodapl-standing-rock

(Washington, DC) – American Rivers today voiced its strong support for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s right to clean water and protection of sacred sites.

The national river conservation organization called on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement on the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline across the Missouri River and urged Energy Transfer Partners to halt construction until the EIS is completed.

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

“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.  If constructed as planned beneath the riverbed near the reservation, the Dakota Access Pipeline could pose a threat to the river and the tribe’s clean water supplies.”

“It is concerning that the pipeline was originally slated to run through an area near Bismarck but was relocated near the tribe’s reservation when residents of the state capital raised concerns about the safety of their drinking water. The tribe’s concerns about drinking water safety should be equally considered.”

“Major oil spills in rivers including the Yellowstone and Kalamazoo in recent years raise serious questions about pipeline safety.”

“We urge the Obama Administration to conduct a full Environmental Impact Statement of the Dakota Access Pipeline, with meaningful consultation with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. And we call on Energy Transfer Partners to halt construction until the review is completed and the potential impacts of the project are fully considered.”

“Water is life, for the Standing Rock Sioux and for every American. Clean water is essential to our health and well-being.”

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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.

November 1, 2016

Contact: Matt Rice, 803-422-5244

(Aspen, CO) – The City of Aspen has filed an application with the Colorado Water Court to maintain water rights to develop two large water storage dams on two of Aspen’s most treasured streams.

If built, the proposed 150-foot dam on Maroon Creek and 175-foot dam on Castle Creek would flood portions of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness Area, forever changing these iconic and world-renowned valleys.

Aspen’s own 2016 water availability report clearly states that Aspen does not need these dams.

In reaction to the water filing today, Matt Rice, director of the Colorado River Basin Program for American Rivers made the following statement:

“Constructing these dams would likely cost hundreds of millions of dollars, but the price would pale in comparison to the massive environmental impacts. American Rivers and our members urge the Aspen City Council to reconsider this decision.  This is a perfect opportunity for Aspen to make a definitive statement that it will forever protect the Maroon Bells and Castle Creek.”

Parties have until December 31 to file statements of opposition.

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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.

October 31, 2016

Contact: Margaret Delaney, Margaret.Delaney@berlinrosen.com, 202-800-8689

Public Comment Period for WaterSMART Grant Criteria Closes with Thousands of Comments in Favor of Prioritizing Projects that Keep Water in Our Rivers

National conservation and sportsmen groups applauded recent proposed changes from the Bureau of Reclamation intended to prioritize projects that keep water in the Colorado River when evaluating potential recipients for water conservation grants.

This comes at the conclusion of the 30-day public comment period to review and provide feedback on the Bureau of Reclamation’s proposed changes to the WaterSMART Water and Energy Efficiency Grants Evaluation Criteria. WaterSMART is an initiative of the Bureau of Reclamation to improve water conservation and help water resource managers identify strategies to bring the demand for water in balance with supply.

The proposed changes to the evaluation criteria for these WaterSMART grants will give greater consideration to projects that offer multi-sector benefits, especially projects that keep water in rivers, or return water to rivers, and will encourage greater collaboration between on-farm and off-farm efforts.

“With increased demand and a 15-year drought depleting the Colorado River and threatening the recreational activities we love, it’s more important than ever that we protect the river and the wildlife that depend on it. These proposed changes would help maximize conservation efforts and improve water efficiency – while also protecting the vibrant fish and wildlife we all enjoy,” said Scott Yates, Director of Western Water and Habitat Program at Trout Unlimited.

“The proposed WaterSMART criteria are key to building a sustainable and drought-resilient water future. Restoring the health of our rivers and streams is integral to reducing the risk of water shortages, creating flexibility in water management, and improving the reliability of water systems,” said Matt Niemerski, Director of Western Water and Public Lands Policy at American Rivers.

“While WaterSMART grants have successfully conserved water across the West, very few projects commit to returning that conserved water to rivers,” said Bart Miller, Healthy Rivers Program Director at Western Resource Advocates. “The proposed changes to the evaluation criteria are a necessary step forward to ensure our rivers can support everyone and everything that depends on them.”

“The proposed criteria recognize the value that improved flows have for hundreds of bird species, countless wildlife, and the local communities that depend on a healthy Colorado River. It’s pretty simple: when the environment benefits, so do people,” said Karyn Stockdale, Director of the National Audubon Society’s western water program.

“These proposed WaterSMART criteria are exciting because they serve all water users – agriculture and municipalities alike – while also benefiting the environment,” said Kevin Moran, Senior Director of Western Water at Environmental Defense Fund, “These changes illustrate real promise and progress in our ongoing efforts to bring together diverse groups of stakeholders to make the West more drought-resilient.”

“The public comment period generated more than 8,000 comments in just 30 days. It’s clear that the public is engaged in this issue and cares about the outcomes of these grants,” said Melinda Kassen, interim director of the Center for Water Resources at the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership. “We all want to ensure the grant recipients’ projects result in on-the-ground benefits and build a more sustainable and resilient Colorado River for sportsmen to enjoy for years to come.”

“Given the confluence of scarcity in the West, aging infrastructure, and changing weather patterns, we commend Reclamation for making changes to the WaterSMART Program that will support integrated, watershed-scale solutions that benefit multiple water use sectors,” said Taylor Hawes, Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Colorado River Program. “This is an important step in the right direction that can benefit the millions of Americans who depend on the Colorado River for drinking water, food production, and recreation, while also benefiting the river itself.”

WaterSMART provides grants to improve community water delivery systems and infrastructure. The grants have been a powerful tool for spurring collaborative, locally-led water conservation projects. The 243 grants issued from 2010 to 2015 went to projects that save an estimated 557,000 acre-feet of water per year—enough to provide water for more than 2.2 million people.

Following the conclusion of the public comment period, the Bureau of Reclamation will work to finalize grant evaluation criteria before publishing the funding opportunities for WaterSMART in November.

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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.

October 13, 2016

Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

(Columbia, SC) — Hurricane Matthew’s impacts continue to devastate communities across North and South Carolina. Widespread flooding and more than 20 dam failures have put the health and safety of millions at risk.

This disaster comes just one year after South Carolina was devastated by flooding that ranks as the second most costly environmental disaster in the state’s history.

Gerrit Jobsis, Senior Director with American Rivers in Columbia, South Carolina, made the following statement:

“The loss of life in the wake of the flooding triggered by Hurricane Matthew is tragic. We offer heartfelt condolences to all of those impacted and we encourage the public to support relief efforts.”

“After the immediate disaster has passed, we need to work to make our rivers and communities more resilient so we don’t face similar tragedies in the future. We must learn from these experiences. With intense flooding becoming more frequent, we must look at how we can improve the management of our rivers.”

“Flooding is a natural part of life on a river, but we can avoid catastrophic damage by restoring river health, reconnecting floodplains, improving dam safety, better managing stormwater runoff in urban areas and keeping homes and businesses out of harm’s way.”

“Working with nature and giving rivers room to safely accommodate flood water keeps communities safe and provides added benefits including clean water and fish and wildlife habitat. This should be the blueprint for our decision-makers as we move forward in addressing flooding concerns.”

“We stand ready to help communities across the Carolinas as they work to improve river management and dam safety in the wake of these devastating floods.”

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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: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

October 10, 2016

(Washington, DC) – American Rivers announced today that Wendy McDermott will assume the role of Director of the Puget Sound – Columbia Basin Program, leading the national river conservation organization’s efforts in the Pacific Northwest.

McDermott was previously an associate director with American Rivers working in Washington on protecting rivers through new Wild and Scenic River designations in the North Cascades, enhancing recreation opportunities in the Nooksack River basin, and preventing harmful new hydropower projects on the Skykomish and Snoqualmie Rivers.

“We are thrilled that Wendy is stepping up into this new role. She has extensive expertise as a river conservationist and valuable experience finding solutions and bringing people together,” said Chris Williams, Senior Vice President for Conservation at American Rivers. “This region is full of opportunity for river conservation and I am confident Wendy will maximize our impact.”

“Rivers are the lifeblood of this region. Our economy, health, environment and quality of life all depend on clean, healthy rivers,” said McDermott. “There’s a lot at stake, and I am excited to make a difference in my new role. I look forward to working closely with our partners and supporters to create positive, lasting solutions for the region’s rivers and communities.”

The mission of American Rivers is to protect wild rivers, restore damaged rivers and conserve clean water for people and nature. American Rivers works on a wide range of issues in the Puget Sound and Columbia River Basins, including securing new Wild and Scenic River designations, removing outdated and unsafe dams, improving flood protection and ensuring sustainable water supplies.

Key priorities for American Rivers in the region include:

• Protecting new Wild and Scenic Rivers and celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in 2018
• Removing outdated dams and improving operations at other dams
• Restoring wild salmon and steelhead in the Snake and Columbia rivers
• Implementing comprehensive salmon recovery and water supply solutions in the Yakima Basin

American Rivers has a long history leading river conservation efforts in the Pacific Northwest. The organization was instrumental in landmark dam removal and river restoration successes including removal of Condit Dam on the White Salmon River and the two dams on the Elwha River. American Rivers also played a key role in recent Wild and Scenic River designations on the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, Pratt River and Illabot Creek. In recent years through its annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign, American Rivers has shined a spotlight on threats facing key rivers including the Green-Duwamish, Columbia, White and South Fork Skykomish.

Before coming to American Rivers, McDermott was River Program Director for the San Juan Citizens Alliance in Durango, CO, where she worked on collaborative watershed planning projects including improving flows in the Dolores River. Prior to her time at San Juan Citizens Alliance, McDermott was Executive Director for the High Country Citizens Alliance in Crested Butte, CO, where she worked on issues including defending the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park’s rights to environmental flows for the Gunnison River and preventing a large-scale, industrial molybdenum mine on Mt. Emmons. She has a Master of Science in Cultural and Environmental Resource Management from Central Washington University and Bachelor’s degree in biology from Western State College of Colorado.

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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 17, 2016

Contact:

Today, the US Bureau of Reclamation decided against a shortage declaration on the Colorado River, based on water elevations in Nevada’s Lake Mead. While our nation’s largest man-made reservoir has hovered below the critical 1,075-foot elevation level for weeks, the forecast for increased water level in the lake provides some assurance that lake levels can be stabilized and managed appropriately. For now.

A shortage declaration would have mandated that Arizona begin planning for significant reductions in water use, with potentially devastating impact to the Grand Canyon state’s vast agricultural industry and a domino effect of shortages felt by every resident in the southwestern United States.

Though the official shortage declaration has been avoided, there still is a very real need to implement water conservation solutions to stabilize the Colorado River system and provide some degree of certainty and sustainability for the $1.4 trillion-dollar economy and more than 35 million citizens who depend on it. Five-year projections from the agency indicate a high probability of shortage in 2018 and beyond if significant changes to water use and management aren’t implemented

With sustained and prolonged drought across the southwest and chronic overuse and withdrawals from the river, it is clear that this situation is not merely an anomaly.  It is a “new normal” that must be expected, planned for, and acted upon in order to preserve the health of the Colorado River and the agricultural, recreational, and economic future of the region.

“For the second year in a row, we have escaped a crisis in the Southwest by the Bureau of Reclamation’s determination that a shortage declaration is not necessary,” said Matt Rice, Colorado Basin Director for American Rivers. “However, with persistent drought plaguing the Southwest and dramatic overuse of the Colorado River, it is urgent that we begin implementing solutions to stabilize Lake Mead and Lake Powell. The solutions to this situation are known, we simply need to commit to their implementation and get to work.  And we need to do so right now.”

Effective solutions exist to address the problems facing the Colorado River, including: full implementation of the innovative Colorado Water Plan; agricultural and urban conservation and reuse programs; improved water sharing between cities and farms; and a steady transition to renewable energy generation. Encouraging steps to implement of these strategies in Tucson and the Imperial Valley of California provide evidence that success is possible, even as disasters such as the shrinking Salton Sea highlight the magnitude of the challenge.  With thoughtful planning, funding, and vigorous implementation, there is still time to avert the crisis and secure the water future of the Southwest. But we should not wait for the inevitable shortage declaration and the crisis it will trigger. The time to act is now.

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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.

May 17, 2016

Contact:

(Washington, DC) American Rivers today urged the House Energy and Commerce Committee to reject proposed legislation that would weaken or eliminate current state and federal resource agency authority over hydropower dams while handing increased responsibility for dam management to an already overworked federal commission. This proposed legislation would limit states’ ability to write the needs of their river communities into the terms of hydropower licenses and undermine their authority to hold corporate dam owners accountable for any harm caused to their communities.

“If this legislation passes, the president, states and tribes will lose authority over corporations operating in their backyards and on public lands,” said Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers, “Dam license renewals happen every 30 to 50 years, and are once-in-a-lifetime chances for communities and agencies to update agreements with private dam operators so that they protect public safety, clean water, and fish and wildlife.” Currently state and expert federal agencies have the authority to augment hydropower dam licenses and compel corporate dam owners to accommodate the needs of local communities and wildlife that rely on the river. Dam owners are also responsible for paying the costs of complying with state water quality and wildlife management laws.

The proposed legislation would reverse those two policies. It would give the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the authority to alter license conditions requested by expert federal and state agencies even if dam owners have already agreed to them. It would also shift to taxpayers and local communities the costs and burdens of complying with state and local laws and mitigating harm done to water quality by hydropower dams.

Other ways this bill will rob the President and states of their authority:

Allows any private entity to install hydropower up to 5 MW on an existing dam with no comprehensive review or oversight over the impacts to public safety, flood control, fish, wildlife, or public lands;
Federalizes the venue for energy companies to challenge states’ remaining authority over corporate-owned hydropower dams by moving cases out of state courts and into federal courts;
Exempts hydropower dam owners from the Clean Water Act by eliminating the 50 states’ and many tribes’ power to hold hydropower dam owners accountable to water quality laws, giving that authority instead to FERC;
Allows FERC to trap state and federal natural resource agencies in a choice between making regulatory decisions based on incomplete applications that lack sufficient supporting information (thus leaving them vulnerable to legal challenge), or risk being sent to federal court for failing to meet FERC’s deadlines.
“Healthy rivers are essential to the health and well-being of our communities. Hydropower dams have major impacts on river health, clean water, and wildlife. We can achieve a balance between healthy rivers and hydropower production, but in order to do that it’s essential local voices have a say in how dams are operated,” said Irvin.

American Rivers has worked with states, tribes, and local conservation partners for decades to secure significant improvements to hydropower dam operations, resulting in tens of thousands of miles of restored rivers, improved fish passage, revitalized wildlife habitat, and better, safer river recreation opportunities. American Rivers documented these successes in a video series featuring Oregon’s Deschutes, Michigan’s Muskegon, and South Carolina’s Saluda rivers.

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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.

April 16, 2016

Contact:
Ben Emanuel, American Rivers, 404-373-3980
Dan Tonsmeire, Apalachicola Riverkeeper, 850-508-7787
Jason Ulseth, Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, 404-924-4505
Gordon Rogers, Flint Riverkeeper, 912-223-6761
Mitch Reid, Alabama Rivers Alliance, 205-322-6395

www.AmericanRivers.org/ACF
www.AmericanRivers.org/MostEndangeredRivers

(Washington, DC) American Rivers today announced its annual list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers®, naming the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin in Alabama, Florida and Georgia the Most Endangered in the country. Outdated water management and rising demand have put the basin at a breaking point.

The water conflict that has gripped the region for almost three decades has come to a head with Florida’s U.S. Supreme Court suit against Georgia and the latest attempt by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to update its protocols of managing the basin. American Rivers is calling on the governors of Alabama, Florida and Georgia to swiftly act to form a water-sharing agreement that protects the rivers, and on the USACE to significantly improve water management to sustain river health.

“It’s time to move from water conflict to a new era of cooperation,” said Ben Emanuel of American Rivers. “This basin is ground zero for water supply challenges, but it is also fertile ground for new and sustainable water supply solutions. This Most Endangered River listing is a call to action for all of us to come together to safeguard reliable clean water supplies for today’s communities and future generations.”

More than four million people, including 70 percent of metro Atlanta, rely on the Chattahoochee and Flint rivers for drinking water. The basin also provides water for industry, power generation, agriculture, recreation and fisheries.

The rivers in the basin are so heavily exploited that some run at drought flows even in normal water years. In droughts, some tributary streams are completely dry and many of the Apalachicola’s bottomland sidestreams and sloughs run dry for months at a time. Apalachicola Bay is receiving little more than life support under existing water management schemes affecting fisheries far out into the Gulf of Mexico. Without reforms, the bay is headed for irreversible ecological collapse.

Increasing and unsustainable water use is the chief threat, with the USACE’s’ mismanagement exacerbating the problem. The upper Chattahoochee River drains one of the smallest watersheds providing water supply to a major American city (Atlanta), and the USACE and Georgia have been unwilling to balance downstream needs with Georgia’s water demands.

“The regions’ recent rains won’t solve the problem of chronic mismanagement and excessive water use,” said Emanuel.

“By applying the best available science and with stakeholder involvement, we can stop the recurring ecological and economic damage to the Apalachicola River, floodplain and Bay and the communities that are sustained by them. We can reverse this disastrous trend in the ACF system and recover the ecological functions of the Apalachicola without compromising Georgia’s water supply, if we act together, now,” said Dan Tonsmeire of Apalachicola Riverkeeper.

“While the metro Atlanta region has made significant strides in water conservation, we are far from reaching our true conservation potential. All river users must pursue aggressive water conservation measures to ensure that we are using these precious water resources as wisely as possible,” said Jason Ulseth of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

“After experiencing the decline of so many amazing river systems like those of the Chesapeake Bay, Everglades and Colorado River, we have to be smart enough not to repeat the same mistakes. Litigation and political campaigning are the least effective ways to manage water so that it is sustainable for future generations,” said Gordon Rogers of Flint Riverkeeper. “The three states and the Army Corps must use the best available science and stakeholder involvement to resolve this issue. The citizens of the ACF basin have already provided solutions for this regional problem. The Army Corps, the Governors and Congress should take a signal from the citizens, and work together to solve the problem.”

“The naming of the ACF Basin to this list from American Rivers further emphasizes the critical need for Alabama to complete the development of a sustainable Alabama Water Plan,” said Mitch Reid, program director for Alabama Rivers Alliance. “Further, we must truly engage our neighbors to protect our shared water resources.”

The annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® report is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates. Rivers are chosen for the list based on the following criteria: 1) The magnitude of the threat, 2) A critical decision-point in the coming year and 3) The significance of the river to people and nature.

Over the years, the report has helped spur many successes including the removal of outdated dams, the protection of rivers with Wild and Scenic designations and the prevention of harmful development and pollution.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2016:

#1: Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin
(Alabama, Florida, Georgia)
Threat: Outdated water management

#2: San Joaquin River
(California)
Threat: Outdated water management

#3: Susquehanna River
(Pennsylvania, Maryland)
Threat: Harmful dam operations

#4: Smith River
(Montana)
Threat: Mining

#5: Green-Duwamish River
(Washington)
Threat: Outdated water management

#6: Pee Dee River
(North Carolina)
Threat: Harmful dam operations

#7: Russell Fork River
(Virginia, Kentucky)
Threat: Mountaintop removal mining

#8: Merrimack River
(New Hampshire, Massachusetts)
Threat: Polluted runoff

#9: St. Lawrence River
(New York)
Threat: Harmful dam operations

#10: Pascagoula River
(Mississippi, Alabama)
Threat: New dams

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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.