Media Items Archive

April 7, 2015

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(Washington, DC) – American Rivers named the Edisto River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2015 today, highlighting the threat excessive agricultural water withdrawals pose to other water users and river health.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that are at a tipping point,” said Gerrit Jöbsis of American Rivers. “We all deserve reliable clean water supplies. But on the Edisto, state law plays favorites, helping certain water users while harming others. It’s time to level the playing field for all water users to protect our state’s economy and ensure a future of healthy rivers and streams.”

This year’s listing of the Edisto River follows the South Fork of the Edisto’s listing in the 2014 America’s Most Endangered Rivers ® report. Excessive agricultural water withdrawals continue to be a major threat to the Edisto and other rivers across the state. While municipal and industrial water users are required to get withdrawal permits, South Carolina’s surface water law does not require permits for agricultural water users. This means that the state cannot require reduced water use during drought periods to protect essential river flows for fish and wildlife, water quality, and downstream users.

American Rivers called on the South Carolina State Legislature to pass H.3564, a bill that would end unfair exemption of large agricultural water withdrawals from permitting.

“The flow and quality of the freshwater in the upstream reaches of the Edisto River determine the flow and quality of the mighty South and North Edisto Rivers that form Edisto Island and the health of our creek and marsh ecosystems. Sharing the water of the longest blackwater river in the U.S. must be done wisely today to protect it for all of its multiple users and its estuaries for tomorrow,” said Lloyd Bray of Edisto Island Preservation Alliance.

“The magnificent Edisto, as other South Carolina rivers, is in very real danger of destructive neglect in the absence of any effective measures in the law to restrain unlimited consumptive water use for agricultural purposes,” said Tim Rogers with Friends of the Edisto. “The potentially catastrophic result is a grossly unbalanced policy which would sacrifice our most precious natural resource, even while other, non-agricultural water uses are regulated through a careful permitting process required in the same statute. We will continue to strive for a balanced policy to protect the public interest in our vital and critically valuable surface water resources.”

“Our rivers sustain our economies and our quality of life,” said Ann Timberlake of Conservation Voters of South Carolina said. “The Edisto River is the only major river in South Carolina that is solely ours. We are its steward and its protector. We owe it to all South Carolinians to make sure the Edisto, and all of our rivers, are protected for future generations.”

“The Edisto is the canary in the coal mine,” said Doug Busbee with Edisto TV. “We have already seen historic low flows even though we were not in a drought, and even now, with recent rains, the Edisto remains about two thirds of its average flow. This fight is not just about the Edisto. It is about every stream and river in South Carolina. This can happen anywhere in the state, from the mountains to the sea.”

The longest free-flowing blackwater river in the United States, the Edisto winds from spring-fed headwaters in the Sandhills of central South Carolina, through the heart of floodplain forests in the Coastal Plain, to the rich estuary of the Ashepoo/Combahee/Edisto Basin. It is an intimate river along most of its length— a place where paddlers enjoy solitude and close-up views of diverse plants and wildlife. Since no dams block the Edisto’s flow, migratory fish are free to run its entire 250 mile length from the ocean to its headwaters.

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. 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.

“This year’s report underscores the importance of healthy rivers to each and every American,” said Irvin. “Whether it’s for clean drinking water, ample water supplies for farms and cities, abundant fish and wildlife, or iconic places vital to our heritage, we all have a stake in protecting our nation’s 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.

April 7, 2015

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(Washington, DC)- American Rivers named Montana’s Smith River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2015 today, shining a national spotlight on the threat a proposed copper mine poses to the river’s clean water and nationally renowned wild trout fishery.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that face a critical decision point in the next year,” said Scott Bosse of American Rivers. “The Smith River is one of the most beloved rivers in Montana. It’s where countless Montanans have made unforgettable memories. We shouldn’t sacrifice its clean water and wild trout fishery so a foreign-owned company can build a copper mine in its headwaters.”

A Canadian mining company, Tintina Resources Inc., is proposing to develop a massive copper mine on 12,000 acres of land adjacent to Sheep Creek, a major headwater stream that produces half of the tributary-spawning trout in the Smith River drainage. The mine threatens river health and clean water with acid mine drainage and toxic heavy metals. American Rivers and its partners called on Montana Governor Steve Bullock to deny state permits for the mine unless it can be designed in a way that eliminates any risk to the river’s water quality and fish and wildlife populations.

“The Smith River offers one of the greatest backcountry angling experiences available anywhere in the United States,” said Jim Klug, owner of Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, an international flyfishing travel company based in Bozeman. “It’s incredibly special to Montanans and to the thousands of visitors annually who take outfitted trips to experience its magnificent scenery and solitude. As a business owner who relies on healthy rivers for my living, it’s important to me that jobs in the outdoor recreation industry not be sacrificed to create jobs in the mining industry.”

“I don’t necessarily oppose the mine, but it shouldn’t be built if it comes at the expense of the Smith River’s water quality, trout fishery, and recreational values,” said Deb Davidson, a Montanan whose family owns land along the Smith River.

The Smith River flows for 60 miles through a stunning limestone canyon between the Little Belt and Big Belt Mountains, emptying into the Missouri River just south of Great Falls. It is home to healthy populations of brown and rainbow trout that draw anglers in search of solitude from across the country. Among the wildlife species that frequent the Smith River corridor are bald and golden eagles, osprey, black bear, moose, elk, and mule and whitetail deer. Recreational fishing and floating on the Smith generates an estimated $4.5 million annually in revenue for outfitters and surrounding communities.

About American Rivers

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

April 7, 2016

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(Washington, DC) – American Rivers named the Holston River among America’s Most Endangered Rivers® of 2015 today, highlighting the threat toxic chemical explosives from an army ammunition plant pose to clean drinking water supplies.

“The America’s Most Endangered Rivers report is a call to action to save rivers that are at a tipping point,” said Erin McCombs of American Rivers. “Chemical explosives and drinking water don’t mix. The families and communities along the Holston River have a right to clean drinking water. They shouldn’t have to worry about what’s coming out of the tap.”

The Holston Army Ammunition Plant discharges RDX, a toxic chemical explosive and possible human carcinogen, into the Holston River, which supplies drinking water for more than 56,000 residents in Tennessee and Virginia. The Environmental Protection Agency’s RDX lifetime health advisory limit is 2 ug/L for drinking water. In March and April of 2014, RDX was found in all five drinking water samples taken by the First Utility District of Hawkins County and the samples indicated RDX levels at more than double the EPA’s limit.

American Rivers called on the U.S. Army and the ammunition plant operator, BAE Systems, to stop or significantly reduce the amount of RDX they are dumping into the Holston River.

Another river in Tennessee, the Harpeth River, also made this year’s Most Endangered list because of threats from sewage pollution. The Most Endangered listing of two rivers in Tennessee this year underscores the importance of the state’s role in safeguarding clean water.

“Clean water and healthy rivers are vital to Tennessee’s heritage and the health of our families and communities. It’s critical that the state takes its enforcement responsibilities seriously and protects our clean drinking water from polluters,” said Renée Hoyos, Executive Director of Tennessee Clean Water Network.

The Holston River flows 274 miles from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the confluence with the French Broad River and becomes the Tennessee River. The Holston River is home to 47 species of fish including smallmouth bass, brown trout, rainbow trout, redline darter, and bigeye chub. The river has played a key role in our nation’s history – it was the site of a 1791 treaty between the United States and Cherokee Indian Nation, and also saw many battles throughout the Civil War.

About American Rivers

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

March 17, 2016

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(Washington, DC) – 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)

About American Rivers

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, 2015

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(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

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

January 27, 2015

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(Washington, DC) – Communities in 19 states, working in partnership with non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies, removed 72 dams in 2014, restoring more than 730 miles of streams for the benefit of fish, wildlife and people. California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, and Wisconsin are represented on the list.

Pennsylvania topped the list for the twelfth year in a row. The top three states for river restoration through dam removal in 2014 are:

Pennsylvania – 17 dams removed
California – 12 dams removed
Michigan– 6 dams removed

Ohio, Massachusetts, and Iowa each had five dams removed in 2014.

Looking ahead to this year, American Rivers set a goal of 75 dam removals. Scheduled dam removals include the West Brittania Dam on the Mill River in Massachusetts and the Fielder and Wimer dams on Evans Creek, a tributary to the Rogue River in Oregon. Removal of the Plymco Dam on Town Brook in Plymouth, Massachusetts began just last week.

“The river restoration movement in our country is stronger than ever. Communities nationwide are removing dams because they recognize that a healthy, free-flowing river is a tremendous asset,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers.

American Rivers will add the information on the 72 dam removals in 2014 to its database of more than 1,185 dams that have been removed across the country since 1912. Most of those dams (865) were removed in the past 20 years. American Rivers is the only organization maintaining a record of dam removals in the United States and uses the information to communicate the benefits of dam removal, which include restoring river health and clean water, revitalizing fish and wildlife, improving public safety and recreation, and enhancing local economies. American Rivers played a role in 20 of the dam removals on this year’s list. This list includes all known dam removals, regardless of the level of American Rivers’ involvement.

American Rivers updated its interactive river restoration map to include the 2014 dam removals. The map includes all known dam removals in the United States as far back as 1936. The map features the name of the dam and river, location, year the dam was removed, as well as other interesting facts. Explore the map at www.americanrivers.org/threats-solutions/restoring-damaged-rivers/dam-removal-map/

Highlights of dam removal and river restoration efforts in 2014 include:

Byrnes Mill Dam, White Clay Creek, Delaware

The University of Delaware Water Resources Agency, in partnership with American Rivers, NOAA and others, made history in late 2014 with the first recorded dam removal in the State of Delaware. The Byrnes Mill Dam, also known as White Clay Creek Dam No. 1, on White Clay Creek was removed to allow for fish passage. The removal reconnects 3.5 miles of habitat for migratory and resident fish in the White Clay Creek National Wild and Scenic River to the tidal Christina and Delaware rivers and is the first of several anticipated removals along this stretch of river.

Harvell Dam, Appomattox River, Virginia

Harvell Dam, the first blockage on the Appomattox River, was successfully removed in July 2014, reconnecting 126.5 miles of habitat for resident and migratory fish. Built around 1890, this concrete structure was designed first for mills and navigational purposes, and later used for hydropower. Fish passage installed in 1998 proved inadequate. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and its partners worked with the dam’s owner and the local community of Petersburg to ensure expanded access to critical spawning and rearing habitat for species including American Shad, and to enhance opportunities for recreational boating and fishing.

Dams #1 and #2, Des Plaines River, Illinois

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County removed two dams on the Des Plaines River in 2014 and reconnected nine miles of river for fish and recreational users. These roughly five-foot tall dams were owned by FPCC and removed as part of a broader restoration effort that will eventually involve removal of five additional dams between Wisconsin and Joliet, Illinois. Restoration of the Des Plaines River began in 2010 with the removal of the Ryerson Woods Dam. Since then, a total of six dams have been removed.

About American Rivers

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

January 20, 2015

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(Bozeman, MT) – For the second time in four years, an oil pipeline has spilled tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana, contaminating water supplies for local residents and harming valuable fish and wildlife habitat on the longest free-flowing river in the lower 48 states.

The most recent spill occurred on January 17 about five miles upriver of Glendive, Montana. The pipeline owner, Bridger Pipeline Company, initially estimated that up to 50,000 gallons of oil made its way into the Yellowstone River.

Scott Bosse, American Rivers’ Northern Rockies Director based in Bozeman, made the following statement:

“As a longtime Montanan, I am saddened and angered that another pipeline has leaked tens of thousands of gallons of oil into the Yellowstone River, contaminating water supplies for local residents and harming fish and wildlife. This is the second major pipeline spill in the Yellowstone River in the past four years, despite the fact that Congress passed new pipeline safety legislation after the last spill occurred near Laurel, Montana in July 2011. Similar to the last spill, it will be impossible to clean up more than a fraction of a percent of the oil that entered the river last Saturday given that the oil is underneath the ice or it has moved downriver.”

“This second major pipeline spill in the Yellowstone River in just four years raises our concern about building the Keystone XL pipeline, which would cross both the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers in Montana, and a total of 1,904 rivers, streams, and reservoirs along its route across Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. This latest incident should serve as a stark reminder that there is no completely safe way to transport oil over long distances, and we must demand the highest level of environmental standards for any oil pipelines that cross our nation’s rivers.”

Scott Bosse is the Northern Rockies Director for American Rivers based in Bozeman, Montana. He gained firsthand experience dealing with oil spills while working on a cleanup crew following the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska’s Prince William Sound in 1989. Following the July 2011 pipeline spill in the Yellowstone River, Scott worked with Montana U.S. Senator Max Baucus on new pipeline safety legislation that was signed into law in December 2011.

About American Rivers

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

January 14, 2015

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(Washington, DC) – One hundred innovative conservation projects across the country will benefit from roughly $370 million in funding under the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) announced today by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Projects include local efforts to protect critical drinking water supplies, restore salmon habitat, and build the resiliency of rivers and communities impacted by drought.

American Rivers is a lead partner in RCPP projects to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay, promote water and energy efficient irrigation in the Colorado River Basin, and secure water for farms and fish in the Columbia and Yakima River Basins.

RCPP is a new approach to investing in natural resource conservation that empowers local communities and demonstrates the importance of strong public-private partnerships. Multiple partners are involved in each project, leveraging their financial and technical capabilities. RCPP energizes unique local-state-federal partnerships, creates new opportunities for innovation, and draws on local knowledge and networks to fuel conservation projects.

“We applaud Secretary Vilsack and NRCS Chief Weller for this strong federal commitment and investment in innovative local approaches to conservation,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “Water is the defining conservation issue for urban and rural communities nationwide. Solutions to our water challenges will take creativity and collaboration. This new program will bring people together in new ways, and we are confident it will produce great benefits for people and rivers alike.”

About American Rivers

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

January 13, 2015

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(Washington, DC) – Colorado’s Yampa River is the focus of a new Google Maps Street View project launched today in partnership with American Rivers. The imagery showcases the stunning scenery of the Yampa River through Dinosaur National Monument in Northwestern Colorado. The Yampa is one of the last wild rivers in the Colorado River Basin, and is an example of how wild rivers support vibrant recreation economies and fish and wildlife, and connect us to our shared natural and cultural heritage.

Drought and increased demand are putting further strain on Colorado Basin water supplies, and with proposals for new dams and trans-basin diversions, the future of the Yampa hangs in the balance. In 2013, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper ordered the state to develop its first water plan, with the goal of managing water sustainably for decades to come. In the Draft Plan, released late last year, protecting the Yampa River for fish and wildlife, recreation and agriculture was identified as a priority. In conjunction with the Street View release, American Rivers is calling on Governor Hickenlooper to stand up for a wild and protected Yampa River as part of Colorado’s final Water Plan.

The Yampa River Street View project celebrates the river’s classic canyon scenery, beautiful landscapes, and whitewater rapids, and highlights the many values that a wild and free-flowing Yampa River has for local communities and the region as a whole.

Supported by the outfitter O.A.R.S. and in partnership with Friends of the Yampa, American Rivers staff used the Street View Trekker camera on a four-day float on the Yampa through Dinosaur National Monument in June 2014 to capture the river imagery. The Street View Trekker, on a special mount on the raft, captured a full 360-degree panorama every few seconds. This allows users to “join the raft” and explore 72 miles of the river, from Deerlodge Park near Craig, Colorado, through the confluence with the Green River, to Split Mountain near Vernal, Utah. Trip members also wore the Street View Trekker to capture popular side hikes, including Bull Canyon Trail with its dramatic overlook.

“The wild Yampa is important because it shows that we can sustain vibrant agriculture while conserving endangered fish and supporting recreation,” said Matt Rice, Director of Colorado River Basin Programs for American Rivers. “This is why American Rivers is working with partners across the basin to find solutions that will safeguard the Yampa for generations to come. We will always stand up for the wild Yampa River.”

“O.A.R.S. is proud to be a partner of American Rivers and Friends of the Yampa with the Google Street View project because we are confident this initiative will help increase awareness of the wild Yampa River and the importance of protecting this world class recreational river for future generations,” said George Wendt, founder of O.A.R.S. “The timing of this initiative will help bring more awareness to the Centennial of Dinosaur National Monument which is being celebrated in 2015.”

“We are excited and hopeful that this new tool will bring increased awareness of the exceptional Yampa River. And we are positive that these ‘virtual visits’ to the Yampa will lead to more people wanting to help protect this magical place,” said Soren Jespersen, Board President of Friends of the Yampa.

“We first partnered with American Rivers for the Colorado River Street View project last year. Today, we’re very proud that American River has successfully collected their first Street View river collection entirely on their own as part of our Trekker Loan Program,” said Karin Tuxen-Bettman, Program Manager at Google Earth Outreach. “By making this imagery of the Yampa River in Dinosaur National Monument available online, we hope this inspires viewers from around the world to take an active interest in exploring, protecting, and participating in this beautiful intact ecosystem.”

“We hope the release of the Yampa River Google Street View will bring greater awareness to this incredible resource,” stated Dinosaur National Monument Superintendent Mark Foust. “As the last natural flowing large tributary of the entire Colorado River system, the Yampa River preserves an amazing array of plant and animal communities along with the natural cycles they depend upon. This technology will provide people who may never get the opportunity to see the Yampa River in person to learn about the river and its ecological and wilderness values.”

American Rivers recently joined partners at Friends of the Yampa, American Whitewater, and O.A.R.S. to support the film “Warm Springs,” produced by Rig to Flip. The film documents the history of Warm Springs rapid, the unique role the Yampa River played in creating the modern river conservation movement, and the importance of keeping the Yampa wild and free.

The “Warm Springs” trailer is available here, and the full-length film is available here.

Resources For Journalists:

About American Rivers

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

December 4, 2014

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(Washington, DC) – Seven rivers in five states are one step closer to permanent Wild and Scenic protection thanks to a package of bills that the House of Representatives approved today. It is the first time in five years that the House has advanced Wild and Scenic River legislation. The House also approved additional provisions to protect rivers in Colorado and Montana. The legislation, which now heads to the Senate, provides a host of benefits for river health, local communities, and all Americans who enjoy fishing, boating, and river recreation.

The legislation grants federal Wild and Scenic River safeguards to Pennsylvania and Delaware’s White Clay Creek, Vermont’s Missisquoi River and Trout River, Oregon’s River Styx, and Washington’s Illabot Creek, Middle Fork Snoqualmie River, and Pratt River. These Wild and Scenic River designations will protect roughly 140 miles of rivers and more than 17,000 acres of riverside land.

“Protecting healthy, wild rivers is one of the best investments our country can make, and we applaud the House for passing this vital legislation,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “These rivers give us clean drinking water and flood protection, they provide fish and wildlife habitat and recreation, they are living links to our history and heritage, and they are engines that drive local economies. In so many ways, when we protect our rivers, we protect and revitalize our communities.”

The package also includes provisions to study fourteen additional rivers, totaling close to 140 river miles, for possible Wild and Scenic designation. Rivers to be studied include Oregon’s Cave Creek, Upper Cave Creek, Panther Creek, Lake Creek, and No Name Creek, Massachusetts’ Nashua River, Squannacook River, and Nissitissit River, Maine’s York River, and Rhode Island’s Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen, Wood, and Pawcatuck rivers.

The Wild and Scenic Rivers system currently protects 12,598 miles of 203 rivers in 38 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico — less than one-quarter of one percent of the nation’s rivers.

A Wild and Scenic River designation is the strongest possible protection for a river in the U.S. It preserves a healthy, free-flowing river in its current condition, prohibiting new dams or inappropriate development, and safeguards water quality and riverside land. The designation also provides for the creation of a management plan, in partnership with local communities, to guide protection of special values such as native fish or outstanding scenery.

American Rivers and local partners have advocated for years in support of Wild and Scenic protections for these rivers.

Today’s legislation also includes measures long supported by American Rivers to permanently protect pristine rivers in Colorado and Montana. One provision, the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act, safeguards Southwest Colorado’s Hermosa Creek and its native fish and excellent recreation opportunities. Among the Montana provisions, one protects 430,000 acres of National Forest lands in the North Fork Flathead River watershed adjacent to Glacier National Park from new mining, and another protects 275,000 acres of pristine lands along the Rocky Mountain Front as Wilderness and National Conservation Areas.

“Local citizens have fought for decades to protect these magnificent rivers and landscapes,” said Irvin. “We’re thrilled to see these important river protections approaching the finish line.”

Learn more about Wild and Scenic Rivers.

National Wild and Scenic Rivers map

About American Rivers

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

November 19, 2014

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(Washington, DC) – American Rivers today announced that three new members were elected to its board of directors. The new directors bring vital experience and passion to American Rivers, the nation’s leading river conservation organization.

“Clean water and healthy rivers are the biggest conservation issues of our time, and American Rivers is spearheading solutions for rivers and communities across the country,” said Bob Irvin, President of American Rivers. “We are delighted to have these dynamic and talented individuals joining our board. Their expertise will help us achieve our mission of protecting and restoring rivers nationwide.”

Roy Romer (Holly, CO): Mr. Romer was the Governor of Colorado from 1987 to 1999. As Governor, he was instrumental in stopping the environmentally destructive Two Forks Dam on the South Platte River. Thanks to Mr. Romer’s leadership, today a growing urban population enjoys the valuable recreational opportunities provided by a free-flowing river through the heart of Denver. Mr. Romer also served as Superintendent of the Los Angeles School District from 2000 to 2006. Prior to that, Mr. Romer was the General Chair of the Democratic National Committee for three years and Vice Chair of the Democratic Leadership Council. Mr. Romer received a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Economics from Colorado State University and a Law Degree from the University of Colorado. Mr. Romer also studied Ethics at Yale University and was a member of the U.S. Air Force.

Bill Hoffman (Atlanta, GA): Mr. Hoffman is the President of Cox Media Group (CMG), an integrated broadcasting, publishing, and digital media subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Hoffman is responsible for the company’s TV, Radio, Newspaper, CoxReps, Valpak, and New Business opportunities. Mr. Hoffman serves on the Board of Directors for Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, the National Association of Broadcasters TV, Broadcast Music , Inc. (BMI), the Associated Press, the Broadcasters Foundation of America, and the ABC Board of Governors where he was a former Chairman. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Michigan State and is an avid angler.

James C. Beh (Washington, DC): Mr. Beh is a partner at Jones Day, in the firm’s Energy Practice. At Jones Day, Mr. Beh represents electric utilities, natural gas distribution companies, merchant generators, power marketers, and other entities in complex litigation and compliance matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and in related proceedings. Mr. Beh received his B.A. in English and J.D. from Georgetown University, where he served as Articles Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal, and he currently serves on Georgetown University’s Law Alumni Board. Mr. Beh is also an avid angler.

About American Rivers

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

November 14, 2014

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(Nevada City, CA) – Legislation to restore the Klamath River and its salmon runs moved forward today, with the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approving S. 2379 on a bipartisan vote. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) introduced the legislation in May.

“The Senate’s action today is a step forward for all of the farming, fishing, and tribal communities that depend on the Klamath River,” said Steve Rothert, California Director for American Rivers. “The movement of this legislation, combined with the funding for the Klamath in the water bond that voters approved last week, provides good momentum for this critical restoration effort.”

The bill authorizes the Klamath Restoration Agreements, resolving long-standing water rights disputes, increasing water supply reliability for upper basin agricultural communities, improving river flows and water quality, restoring wetlands, and revitalizing struggling Klamath River salmon runs.

The agreements, the first of which was finalized in 2010, are the product of years of negotiations among more than 40 stakeholder groups including American Rivers, with the goal of restoring the river, reviving ailing salmon and steelhead runs, and revitalizing fishing, tribal, and farming communities. If enacted, the legislation will open access to more than 300 miles of habitat for salmon and steelhead.

About American Rivers

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