Aprils 13, 2016
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(Washington, D.C) American Rivers named the Susquehanna River number three on its list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2016 today, shining a national spotlight on the impacts of Conowingo Dam and federal legislation that would take away Maryland’s authority to hold dam operators accountable for pollution and impacts to wildlife.
Conowingo Dam alters river flow, blocks fish and impacts water quality, harming the Susquehanna and the Chesapeake Bay downstream. The Exelon Corporation is seeking a new 46-year federal license to operate Conowingo. Provisions in the federal Clean Water Act give Maryland the authority to require Exelon to meet state water quality standards.
However, a bill pending in Congress, H.R. 8, would take away that authority to hold Exelon responsible for addressing its share of the problem, putting the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake further at risk. The bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives, and is now pending in the Senate.
“America’s Most Endangered Rivers is a call to action to save rivers that are at a tipping point,” said American Rivers President Bob Irvin. “We cannot let the hydropower industry avoid its responsibility for protecting the environment at the expense of our fish, wildlife, water quality and outdoor recreation. For the millions who depend on the river and for generations to come, we must act now to save the Susquehanna.”
American Rivers and its partners are calling on the U.S. Senate to vote against the bill and for President Obama to veto H.R. 8 if it reaches his desk. The legislation would not only exempt Exelon from meeting water quality standards, it would also transfer the responsibility for addressing the dam’s impacts to the bay’s municipalities, farmers and citizens.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, along with both of the state’s Senators and seven of its eight U.S. Representatives, has publicly opposed the bill.
“The Hogan Administration is putting a priority on the Conowingo Dam and the Susquehanna River to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay so any effort to reduce Maryland’s important tools and incentives should be opposed,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles. “Dilution isn’t the solution to pollution and it shouldn’t be the approach Congress takes to state’s rights under the Clean Water Act for dam certifications, either.”
“The Hogan administration—in collaboration with federal, state and local organizations—is working hard to enhance and restore the Chesapeake Bay, and we are making real progress,” added Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton. “The state is committed to addressing the potential environmental damage caused by the Conowingo Dam reaching capacity, and is partnering with the federal government and Exelon to address fish passage and water quality concerns as part of the relicensing process. We must evaluate and implement the most cost-effective and efficient strategies if we are to meet our Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goals.”
The Susquehanna River is one of the longest rivers in America, flowing 464 miles from Cooperstown, New York to Havre De Grace, Maryland and draining more than 27,000 square miles (including roughly half of the state of Pennsylvania). The Susquehanna delivers more than half of the freshwater that flows into the Chesapeake Bay. The river provides drinking water for more than six million people and is one of the nation’s best smallmouth bass fisheries.
“There is no doubt that the Susquehanna River is an endangered river,” said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Vice President Kim Coble. “It is the largest source of fresh water to the Bay, as well as, the largest source of nitrogen pollution. This pollution feeds the algal blooms and dead zones that hurt aquatic life. The Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint requires all sources to reduce pollution, including Exelon.”
Since its construction in 1928, Conowingo Dam has trapped pollutants in its reservoir. Today, scientists warn that the reservoir is essentially full, and the dam’s long-term ability to trap pollutants is exhausted. During flood conditions caused by large storms, strong river currents can scour sediment from the reservoir, sending additional pollution into the river and downstream into the bay.
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
(Kentucky, Virginia)
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
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.
(Washington) The Klamath River is back on a path to restoration, thanks to agreements signed today by the governors of California and Oregon, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, dam owner PacifiCorp, tribes, conservation groups and agricultural interests. The newly amended Klamath Hydropower Settlement Agreement (KHSA) will, upon approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, transfer ownership of PacifiCorp’s four dams to a new entity, the Klamath River Renewal Corporation, with the goal of removing the dams beginning in 2020. Dam removal will improve water quality and open access to more than 300 miles of habitat for endangered salmon and steelhead.
“The future of the Klamath River and its communities looks brighter than ever,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “This river restoration effort has been decades in the making, thanks to the dedication of many partners. We still have a lot of work to do, but today we celebrate a major milestone on the way to this river’s recovery.”
More than 40 stakeholders including tribes, irrigators, conservationists and commercial fishing interests worked for years to finalize agreements in 2010 (the KHSA and the Klamath Basin Restoration Agreement (KBRA)) to remove the dams and improve water management in the basin. But legislation authorizing the agreements stalled in Congress last year. The amended KHSA will achieve the purposes of the first agreement in a way that does not require Congressional approval, and the new Klamath Power and Facilities Agreement also being signed today reaffirms our commitment to work with agricultural interests and other parties to achieve the water management, restoration and power objectives of the KBRA.
PacifiCorp’s four dams, built between 1908 and 1962, cut off hundreds of miles of salmon spawning and rearing habitat in the Upper Klamath, once the third most productive salmon river on the West Coast. The dams also create toxic conditions in the reservoirs that threaten the health of fish and people.
The dams produce a nominal amount of power, which can be replaced using renewables and efficiency measures and without contributing to climate change. A study by the California Energy Commission and the Department of the Interior found that removing the dams and compensating for the loss of power production with efficiency measures and other sources would save PacifiCorp customers up to $285 million over 30 years.
“The Klamath story shows that by working together, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges and find solutions that work for fish, farms, and families,” said Irvin.
Contact:
Matt Rice, American Rivers – MRice@www.americanrivers.org or 803-422-5244
Robert Fanger, Hispanic Access Foundation – Robert@hispanicaccess.org or 317-410-7668
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DENVER – American Rivers and the Hispanic Access Foundation today announced an exciting partnership to spark a dialogue among tens of thousands of Latinos across the Colorado River basin, where one-third of the nation’s Latinos live and work, about the need for a healthy Colorado River.
Starting on Earth Day, April 22, congregations from Denver to Los Angeles will begin screening a Spanish-language version of the award-winning film, “I Am Red” as part of their discussions about protecting God’s creation, the importance of the Colorado River and its tributaries, and the need for conservation.
“The Colorado River connects us all, and when it comes to creating a better future for our communities we’re all in this together,” said Matt Rice, Colorado Basin Director for American Rivers. “We must build a future that includes healthy rivers and state-of-the-art water conservation for cities and agriculture. By sharing the story of the Colorado River with communities across the Basin, we want to inspire a new generation of river stewards.”
In addition, the Hispanic Access Foundation in partnership with Por La Creación: Faith-based Alliance will air the video at a conference of Latino faith leaders on May 23 in San Diego.Two hundred pastors are expected to participate, representing more than 3,000 youth from Western states. The video will also air at a June 13 event in Coachella, Calif. with 1,000 Latino youth expected to attend.
“The Colorado River is an integral part of our heritage and way of life, and by taking action now we can make strides in ensuring that future generation can continue to benefit from this tremendous resource,” said Maite Arce, president and CEO of Hispanic Access Foundation. “The Colorado River supports wildlife, tourism and our agricultural industry, but, demand on the river’s water now exceeds its supply, leaving the river so over-tapped that it dries up to a trickle before reaching the sea.”
American Rivers has named the Colorado River one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers for the past three years. The river is threatened by outdated water management as well as harmful development projects and pollution in the Grand Canyon.
The Colorado River is the lifeblood of the southwest. Its water sustains over 35 million people and endangered fish and wildlife in seven states. The river drives a $1.4 TRILLION economy, according to a 2014 Arizona State University study. Dozens of rivers are part of the Colorado River system, including the Green River, Gila River, San Juan River, and the Gunnison River. Over-allocation and drought have placed significant stress on water supplies and river health.
Contact: Jessie Thomas-Blate, 202-347-7550
Washington – The rivers and communities of the Potomac Highlands region across Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia have realized a wide variety of benefits from an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grant program, according to a report released today by American Rivers.
The report details the results of seven projects, measuring benefits including acres of land protected, number of trees planted, and numbers of threatened and endangered species aided by habitat preservation and restoration. In total, the projects protected or restored more than 5,000 acres of sensitive lands, planted more than 65,000 trees, and helped more than 50 rare, threatened, or endangered fish and wildlife species. Other significant benefits include community engagement, public education, and mobilization of hundreds of volunteers for environmental restoration projects.
Under a cooperative agreement with EPA, American Rivers implemented the four-year environmental grant program which invested $1.67 million and leveraged an additional $3.59 million to support local economies, clean water, and quality of life improvements in the Potomac Highlands, and to protect the Highlands’ valuable ecosystems. The region hosts some of the most diverse and globally important natural resources on Earth.
“This effort underscores the power of collaboration. Strong partnerships can stretch a dollar and make a lasting difference for rivers and communities,” said Jessie Thomas-Blate with American Rivers. “More than 30 agencies, groups, and private citizens came together through this initiative to protect and restore the headwaters of the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay watersheds. That says a lot about the potential of the program and the chance for even more success in the future. Given sufficient resources, this program could serve as a model for strategic conservation work throughout the country.”
The Highlands region is the headwaters of the Potomac River, which flows through the nation’s capital. The region’s streams and forests provide rich habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants, as well as increasingly popular recreation and tourism destination. Many of the region’s streams have been damaged by harmful logging, mining, dams, and other development, but opportunities abound for river restoration and revitalization. Protecting and restoring these small streams and wetlands is critical for delivering cleaner water downstream, flood protection, nutrient retention, and healthy wildlife habitat.
The seven projects detailed in the report are:
- Preserving Red Spruce in Monongahela National Forest — The Gandy Ranch Project (West Virginia)
- Saving Healthy Land and Preserving Agricultural Heritage — The Shenandoah Valley Priority Lands Project (Virginia)
- Building Conservation Hubs and Corridors — The Cacapon Legacy Project (West Virginia)
- Protecting Drinking Water for a Major City — The Marsh Creek Project (Pennsylvania)
- Revitalizing Connections between Parks and People along the South River — The Waynesboro Riverfront Parks Project (Virginia)
- Restoring Non-Native Forest Corridors — The Mower Tract Ecological Restoration Project (West Virginia)
- Helping the Community Help Themselves — The Frostburg Grows Project (Maryland)
March 5, 2016
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(Washington, DC) American Rivers applauded the U.S. Forest Service today for acting to protect the sensitive water resources of the Grand Canyon. The agency denied a request by the town of Tusayan for road and utility easements, essentially stopping a major development project that could have threatened the seeps, springs and groundwater that feed the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon.
American Rivers named the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon number one on its list of America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2015 due in part to this threat.
The proposed Tusayan project included a spa, dude ranch, hotels, and more than 2,200 homes – representing a 1,000 percent expansion of the current population.
The President of American Rivers, Bob Irvin, made the following statement:
“Today, the Forest Service acted to protect one of our nation’s foremost natural treasures. The decision helps safeguard the waters of the Colorado River and the springs and waterfalls that make the Grand Canyon such a special place. While threats to the Colorado River remain, this is an important victory for America’s Most Endangered River of 2015.”
“We will continue to work with local Native American tribes and partners including Grand Canyon Trust to preserve the Grand Canyon for generations to come.”
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 25, 2016
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Clean Water Trust Fund Needed To Repair Water Infrastructure, Restore River Health
(Washington, DC) As the nation awaits the Republican and Democratic debates in Michigan early next month, American Rivers called on each presidential candidate to commit to ensuring every American has access to clean drinking water. Against the backdrop of the ongoing health crisis in Flint, Michigan, American Rivers said that $1 trillion is needed to ensure 21st century water infrastructure and healthy rivers nationwide.
The President of American Rivers, Bob Irvin, made the following statement:
“The crisis in Flint is a stark reminder of the critical importance of clean water supplies to our health and our communities. The disaster in Flint comes on the heels of other high-profile water crises – the mining waste release in Colorado’s Animas River, the drinking water ban in Toledo, Ohio, and the chemical spill in West Virginia’s Elk River. Flint is not an outlier. Communities across the U.S. face similar threats.
Americans are wondering if their communities and water supplies are next.
Our country is facing a clean water crisis. Modernizing our water infrastructure and investing in healthy rivers – our most important source of drinking water – must go hand-in-hand. Our health, economy and future are all at stake.
In addition to moving swiftly to fix the problem in Flint, we believe that every river in the country should be safe as a drinking water source and clean enough for swimming and fishing. We believe every American should have access to safe drinking water in their homes. We challenge the presidential candidates from both parties to embrace these goals and commit to an unprecedented national investment in clean water.
Too often a crisis like Flint invokes promises of funding and reform that are ultimately forgotten once the crisis fades. To solve this problem, we must establish a Clean Water Trust Fund to provide consistent funding to address our water infrastructure problems.
This trust fund will protect and restore our rivers and bring our water infrastructure into the 21st century. An investment of $1 trillion in clean water would pay dividends for generations to come. By comparison, our nation spent $1.7 trillion on the Iraq war.
For about 35 cents per person per day, spread over 25 years, we can secure clean water in cities and towns across America. What parent wouldn’t spend 35 cents a day, less than the cost of a daily cup of coffee, to ensure the health and well-being of their child?
This investment would not only improve public health and the environment. Every $1 spent on water infrastructure in the U.S. generates $3 in economic growth. An investment in the future of America’s drinking water supplies would create jobs and spur economic growth in some of our communities that have been hardest hit by job losses over the past decade.
When our country comes together, there is nothing we can’t accomplish. It is time for an unprecedented commitment to our nation’s clean water. We urge the presidential candidates from both parties to make healthy rivers and clean water for every American a top priority.”
American Rivers released the following questions for the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates in advance of the Michigan debates:
Our nation’s clean water crisis: Three critical questions for the next President
- President Roosevelt pulled America out of the Great Depression with the New Deal. President Eisenhower created the interstate highway system. Presidents Kennedy and Johnson got us to the moon. Now, as the tragic situation in Flint illustrates, we need an effort of similar scale and vision for clean water. Rivers are the source of drinking water for two out of three Americans. What is your plan to harness American resources and ingenuity to ensure healthy rivers and safe drinking water for all?
- The Clean Water Act of 1972 was supposed to guarantee all of the nation’s rivers are swimmable and fishable. But sadly, that has yet to be achieved. The Environmental Protection Agency has found that 44 percent of assessed waterways are too polluted for fishing or swimming, and many communities including Flint lack access to safe drinking water. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the Clean Water Act’s promise is fulfilled during your Presidency?
- The American Society of Civil Engineers gives our nation’s water infrastructure, including water treatment systems and dams, a D grade in its “Report Card on the Nation’s Infrastructure”. Will you commit the resources necessary to significantly improve that grade by the end of your first term in office?
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:
Fay Augustyn 616-990-0049 or Sinjin Eberle 720-373-0864
(Denver, CO) – Rivers and communities across the Intermountain West will benefit from a series of grants announced today by American Rivers, a national non-profit river conservation organization. The Connecting Communities to Rivers grant program is providing a total of $100,000 to seven projects that improve family-friendly recreational opportunities and protect rivers and surrounding open space. The funding for this program is generously supported by the LOR Foundation.
“American Rivers is proud to support the work of communities across the Intermountain West to connect with their rivers and protect clean water and healthy streams, which are essential to the region’s economic prosperity and quality of life,” said Fay Augustyn, American Rivers’ Intermountain West Blue Trails Manager. “We congratulate the grant recipients for their innovative ideas and enthusiastic efforts for their towns, and we hope these projects inspire other communities to pursue similar projects across the country.”
“Dedicated to community-driven conservation, the LOR Foundation is excited to partner with American Rivers through their Connecting Communities to Rivers program,” said April Norton, Program Officer for the LOR Foundation. “Healthy rivers and improved outdoor opportunities are vital connections for communities across the Intermountain West—the place we are so fortunate to call home.”
The 2016 Grant Recipients include:
- The Happy Trails Program in Ketchum, Idaho will enhance public access to the Big Wood River through the improvement of trails and riverside habitat, as well as increased signage and the creation of river access maps.
- Snake River Waterkeeper’s 2016 Swim Guide uses data sampled on the Snake River in Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington to maintain an app that provides the public with free, up-to-date, reliable, independent information about which sites are safe for swimming.
- In the Teton Creek Community Corridor, Friends of the Teton is working in partnership with other community organizations to enhance conservation, recreation, and community connection along Teton Creek in Driggs, Idaho.
- Along the Gunnison River, River Restoration Adventures for Tomorrow will increase local engagement and stewardship for the protection of the Gunnison River Watershed in Colorado through experiential learning adventures and river conservation work.
- Rivers & Birds, a New Mexico-based nonprofit organization, will present its award-winning nine-day Watershed Learning Project to teach local watershed conservation with a multicultural focus to Taos fifth grade students through adventurous, hands-on investigations along local rivers, including the Rio Grande.
- Blackfoot Community-Based Drought Resilience, Blackfoot Challenge will unite anglers, irrigators, and communities in a collaborative effort to promote sustainable recreation, support agricultural stewardship, and benefit in-stream flows for native fish along the Blackfoot River in northwestern Montana.
- On the Upper Colorado River in central Colorado, the Eagle Valley Land Trust is working in partnership with public agencies, like Eagle County Open Space and Colorado Parks and Wildlife, to enhance conservation, promote livability and support family‐friendly recreational opportunities in the area.
The Connecting Communities to Rivers Grant Program received more than 50 applications from across the Intermountain West. Applicants included local communities and municipalities, watershed groups, outfitters and schools.
American Rivers Reports On Last Year’s Successes, Highlights Dam Removal Role In Climate Resiliency
February 9, 2016
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145 or Jessie Thomas-Blate, 609-658-4769
(Washington, DC) Communities in 21 states, working in partnership with non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies, removed 62 dams in 2015, restoring more than 570 miles of streams for the benefit of fish, wildlife and people.
California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Virginia are represented on the list.
In 2015, Pennsylvania had the highest number of removals for the thirteenth year in a row, followed by Connecticut and Michigan.
- Pennsylvania – 23 dams removed
- Connecticut – 7 dams removed
- Michigan– 5 dams removed
“Long experience has shown us that dam removal is an excellent tool for restoring river health, revitalizing fish and wildlife, improving public safety, and reconnecting communities with their rivers,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “Now, the benefits of dam removal are becoming even more pronounced as it is helping strengthen the resiliency of communities and wildlife in the face of a changing climate.”
Climate change is hitting rivers and freshwater resources first and worst, with increasingly severe floods and droughts. Healthy rivers are a community’s first line of defense against these climate impacts. Removing dams improves river health by restoring natural flows and other important river functions, along with floodplain and wetland habitat. Free-flowing rivers connected to their floodplains can better store and filter water, safeguarding against flood damage.
American Rivers is the only organization maintaining a record of dam removals in the United States. The database includes information on 1,300 dams that have been removed across the country since 1912. Most of those dams (1,061) were removed in the past 25 years.
American Rivers played a role in 15 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 2015 list, American Rivers updated the interactive map that includes all known dam removals in the United States as far back as 1916 (for which a specific location has been recorded). The map features the name of the dam and river, location, year the dam was removed and other facts. Explore the map here.
Highlights Of Dam Removal And River Restoration Efforts In 2015 Include:
Pond Lily Dam, West River/Long Island Sound, Connecticut
The Pond Lily Dam removal project increased the capacity of the river and communities to withstand storms by eliminating the hazard of catastrophic dam failure during future flooding. This project opened approximately 2.6 miles of the West River and 76 acres of pond habitat to migratory fish. The project employed dam removal as an innovative tactic to improve coastal defense against flooding.
Centreville Dam, Gravel Run, Maryland
The Centreville Dam exacerbated upstream flooding on Gravel Run, threatening local infrastructure. With climate change expected to increase the incidence of flooding in the area, American Rivers and our partners improved local flood resiliency by removing the dam and restoring the natural stream channel and surrounding habitat. Removal of the dam also allowed access to 13 miles of additional upstream habitat for migratory fish.
Song of the Morning Ranch Dam (Golden Lotus Dam; Lansing Club Dam), Pigeon River, Michigan
Located on a Blue Ribbon trout stream, the Song of the Morning Ranch Dam separated the headwaters of the Pigeon River from the rest of this thriving cold water system. In 2008, a silt spill caused a catastrophic fish kill downstream, and ultimately led to a collaborative agreement to restore the river and remove this dam. Careful management of sediment at the dam removal site will ensure that the Pigeon River is able to thrive following the removal.
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 30, 2016
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
(Washington, DC) American Rivers today applauded the Obama Administration for taking action to protect communities from flooding. The action acknowledges the importance of building community resilience to floods and using proven, natural approaches such as the protection and restoration of floodplains and wetlands.
Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers, issued the following statement:
“Climate change is forcing communities across the country to deal with more frequent and intense floods. We applaud the Obama Administration for acting today to help communities prepare for the future and improve public safety, while safeguarding river health.
“A healthy river is a community’s first line of defense against flooding. Wetlands and floodplains act as sponges, absorbing and storing floodwaters. Healthy rivers are also essential to the health and livelihood of every American, providing clean drinking water and a host of other benefits. If we want safe, healthy communities, we need healthy rivers.
“We look forward to working with the Administration to ensure the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Guidelines will help protect communities and rivers.”
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 21, 2016
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
(Washington, DC) American Rivers applauded President Obama today for continuing to lead on clean water and healthy rivers by vetoing the Congressional Resolution to disapprove the Clean Water Rule.
Polluters and their allies in Congress have tried to overturn the rule, which closes loopholes that left the drinking water sources of one in three Americans vulnerable to pollution.
“At a time when drought affects the supply of clean water for many communities across the country, and the city of Flint, Michigan is experiencing a drinking water crisis, it is critically important that we do all we can to protect our nation’s water supplies. Clean water is vital to life itself,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.
“As the nation’s leading advocate for protecting and restoring rivers, American Rivers applauds the Obama Administration for standing up for healthy rivers and clean drinking water,” said Irvin. “Protecting our clean water is an investment that will benefit the health of our families today, and will pay off for generations to come.”
The rule, written by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, clarifies which waters are, and which waters are not, protected by the Clean Water Act. It restores important safeguards for small streams and wetlands in order to better protect the nation’s drinking water, economy and environment. The rule is the result of extensive consultation with the public, local communities, state and federal agencies, businesses, farmers, fishermen, tribes and conservation groups, including American Rivers.
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 10, 2015
Contact:
(Durango, CO) – As mining waste continues to pour into the Animas River through Durango, Colorado and downstream into the San Juan River and Lake Powell, American Rivers President Bob Irvin issued the following statement:
“There are two lessons we must learn from the Animas spill. The first is that we need to hold mining companies and other polluters accountable for the damage they cause to clean water, river health and communities. Take responsibility for cleaning up your mess – don’t pass the cost on to taxpayers. The second is that we must stop proposed mines in the headwaters of pristine rivers, such as the Smith River in Montana. Looking at the toxic orange sludge contaminating the Animas River, we must stand together to say, ‘Never again’.”
“The toxic waste polluting the Animas River is a tragedy for Durango, and all of the communities that rely on this river for clean drinking water, irrigation, recreation and livelihood. This disaster is a reminder of our dependence on clean, healthy rivers, and the importance of rivers to our health and local economies.”
“While this particular spill was an accident, the disaster was a long time in the making. The Gold King mine owners ceased operations in 1923, leaving taxpayers stuck with the mess today. Abandoned mines are ticking time bombs, and there are more than 4,000 abandoned mines in Colorado alone. These mines continue to pose serious threats to rivers across the west.”
“Half of the rivers we named as America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2015 are threatened by mining: the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon, Montana’s Smith River, Alaska’s Chuitna River, Oregon’s Rogue River, and Minnesota’s St. Louis River. Industrial scale mining can have devastating and permanent impacts and we must mobilize public action to protect clean water and river health.”
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.
July 25, 2015
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(Seattle, WA) – A groundbreaking plan to address water supply and river restoration in the Pacific Northwest got a major boost today with the introduction of legislation to help ensure reliable water supplies for fish, farms, and families. The legislation will support efforts to make droughts like the one the Yakima Basin is experiencing this year less of a hardship for both farms and fish.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced a bill (S.1694) with Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) co-sponsoring, titled the “Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement III Act of 2015,” that builds on two previous Yakima River water management laws to authorize projects and funding for the first phase of the Yakima Basin Integrated Plan (Yakima Plan).
The Yakima Plan is a multifaceted agreement hammered out by a diverse coalition of conservationists, farmers, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, and state and federal governments. The plan will restore what could become the largest sockeye salmon run in the lower 48 states and dramatically improve water security for farmers, all while protecting more than 200,000 acres of public lands and roughly 200 miles of pristine streams prized for recreation and wildlife habitat.
American Rivers, Trout Unlimited, The Wilderness Society, and other backers of the Yakima Plan hailed the bill’s introduction as a major step toward ending a 30-year old feud over water. The groups released a new short film, “This River Runs Forever” celebrating the collaborative agreement (available at yakimariver.org).
“Sen. Cantwell’s visionary leadership means that farmers of the Yakima Basin will see more reliable water supplies, anglers will see increased salmon runs, and families will have new places to hike, camp, and enjoy the Northwest’s unique quality of life,” said Michael Garrity, Director of Rivers of Puget Sound and the Columbia Basin for American Rivers. “The Yakima Plan provides a model for solving western water and drought conflicts through collaboration, not confrontation.”
Conservation groups praised the plan’s inclusion of fish passage at Cle Elum and Tieton dams, which will allow salmon and steelhead to reach headwater streams above those dams for the first time in a century.
The Yakima River contributes to many aspects of Washington’s high quality of life. The river supports salmon runs which have helped sustain the Yakama Nation for millennia, and provides fishing opportunities for residents and visitors. The river’s water irrigates abundant crops including apples, peaches, cherries, grapes, and hops—essential for the region’s many breweries. And the Yakima watershed is a popular destination for families looking for hiking, boating, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
“This plan is a major win for smart water use up and down the Yakima River,” said Lisa Pelly, Director of the Washington Water Project for Trout Unlimited. “We are thrilled with the diversity of partners that have pledged their support for this legislation that provides innovation and collaboration as we all prepare for future droughts in the Yakima Basin.
The bill builds on land conservation victories already accomplished at the state level, in particular the acquisition of more than 50,000 acres in the Teanaway River Valley in 2013 as Washington’s first Community Forest.
“The Yakima Plan protects public lands and waters for all to enjoy, and ensures places like the Teanaway Community Forest support economies of surrounding communities and enable more people to enjoy the basin’s world-class recreation opportunities,” said Ben Greuel, Washington State Director for The Wilderness Society. “The Yakima Plan really does provide the whole package, and we applaud Sens. Cantwell and Murray for their continuing leadership and engagement.”
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.
