Media Items Archive

Contact: Jaime D. Sigaran, jsigaran@americanrivers.org, (240) 593-3433

Washington, DC – American Rivers today released its annual community-driven budget and appropriations report, the River Budget: National Priorities for Healthy Rivers and Clean Water of Fiscal Year 2024 highlighting opportunities to protect healthy rivers and improve access to clean water nationwide.

The report is endorsed by 150 partner organizations including utility and state agency associations, fishing groups, small businesses, rural communities, public health organizations, environmental justice leaders, and more. Congress must pass a spending bill ahead of the September 30, 2023 funding deadline.

“Investment in rivers and clean water is an investment in our health, our economy, and our future. American Rivers and our partners urge the government to support funding for these key federal agencies and critical programs that will restore rivers, improve public health and safety, and strengthen communities in the face of climate change,” said Tom Kiernan, President and CEO of American Rivers.

The River Budget includes priorities in five key categories:

Promote Climate-Smart Agriculture:

We can accelerate the pace and scale of innovation by adopting climate-smart practices and technologies in the upcoming Farm Bill and appropriations process. This will enable farmers, ranchers, landowners, and scientists to create enhanced state-federal partnerships. The River Budget calls on the Administration and Congress to support farmers who need better access to conservation programs, improved data and research, and technical assistance to reduce pollution and improve overall water quality.

$550 million – Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
$1.8 billion – Conservation Stewardship Program
$2.27 billion – Environmental Quality Incentives Program
$500 million – Regional Conservation Partnership Program
$750 million – Rural Water and Waste Disposal Program – Subsidies and Grants

Restore Wetlands:

Healthy watersheds, which include rivers, wetlands, small streams and tributaries, floodplains and estuaries, build resilience to climate change by providing flood protection, aquifer recharge, habitat for wildlife, water supply and water quality benefits. The River Budget calls on the Administration and Congress to strengthen communities and ecosystems by protecting and restoring rivers in step with the America the Beautiful goal of conserving 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030.

$7.5 million – Wild and Scenic Rivers Program

$5 million – Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
$15 million – Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance
$100 million – Legacy Roads and Trails Program
$51 million – Threatened and Endangered Species Program

Modernize Flood Management:

As floods become more frequent and severe, communities need cost-effective, reliable solutions to protect people and property and safeguard river health. The River Budget calls on the Administration and Congress to fund the following key efforts:

$2 billion – Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program
$20 million – Engineering With Nature
$700 million – Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program
$200 million – Flood Plain Management and Flood Mapping

Improve Water Infrastructure:

Fortifying our nation’s drinking water and wastewater facilities to be resilient and sustainable requires urgent investment, especially in proven solutions like green stormwater infrastructure. The River Budget calls on the Administration and Congress to support necessary funding requests to address the scale of the drinking and clean water infrastructure crises.

$7.6 billion each for the Clean Water SRF and Drinking Water SRF

$225 million for the Low Income Household Water Assistance Pilot Program
$280 million for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program
$91.5 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program
$425 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
$54 million for the Puget Sound Program

Remove and Rehabilitate Dams:

Dams harm river health and drastically disrupt the ecosystem, often leading to sharp declines in native fish and wildlife. Often the fastest way to restore a river is by removing a dam. The River Budget calls on the Administration and Congress to improve public safety, restore the natural functions of rivers, help endangered fish species, create jobs, protect important environmental and cultural resources, and increase climate resilience.

$100 million – Community-based Restoration Program
$20 million – High Hazard Potential Dam Safety Grant Program

$92 million – National Dam Safety Program
$30 million – National Fish Passage Program

In the American Rivers 2021 Blueprint for Action, American Rivers called on Congress to invest over the next 10 years $200 billion to improve water infrastructure, $200 billion to modernize flood management and $100 billion to restore watersheds in our communities. The recent Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provided a significant down payment and infusion of funding that addresses the complex challenges of a changing climate. Now, it is time for the Administration and Congress to fully deliver on solutions for public health and safety in river communities across the country.

The River Budget is a tool to voice the interests and needs of river communities and allies by recommending to Administration and Congress funding priorities and levels for programs that create clean rivers and water nationwide.

About American Rivers

American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on RiversSM www.AmericanRivers.org

Contact: Kayeloni Scott, 208-790-1815, kscott@americanrivers.org

Washington, DC – American Rivers is very pleased to see Congress protect and restore rivers as a part of an end of year spending bill including new Wild and Scenic River designations and studies for nearly 200 miles of rivers in Maine, Connecticut, and Florida. A bipartisan group of members of Congress championed these protections including U.S. Senators Angus King Jr. (I) and Susan Collins (R) from Maine and U.S. Representatives Darren Soto (D) and Vern Buchanan (R) from Florida.

The legislation moving through Congress is a step forward and in addition to the aforementioned, we applaud the hard work championed by Senators Richard Shelby (R-AL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mitt Romney (R-UT), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Susie Lee (D-NV), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Rosa Delauro (D-CT), Kay Granger (R-TX), Jahana Hayes (D-CT) along with Joe Neguse (D-CO), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jason Crow (D-CO) and Diana DeGette (D-CO).

The York River Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 2021 (HR 1469 / S. 491) and Housatonic Wild and Scenic River Act of 2022 (HR. 7551/ S. 4122) made it onto the omnibus. The federal designation would bring federal recognition and resources to the river towns upstream and downstream to support conservation efforts. This includes enhanced recreation use, clean water, habitat for wildlife, and countless other benefits.

Additionally, Wild and Scenic studies and interim protections for the Little Manatee and Kissimmee Rivers in Florida were also included. For the Kissimmee the bill would study protection of the source of the Everglades and Lake Okeechobee and the heart of water supplies for central Florida. After decades of restoration and spending nearly $1 billion, over 63,000 acres of wetlands has been re-established within the watershed for fish, wildlife, and flora. This study would consider protecting that investment by authorizing a study to assess inclusion of the river in the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. For the Little Manatee, which flows 51-miles from its headwaters into Tampa Bay, the study would analyze protections for one of the most pristine blackwater rivers in Florida, which is already recognized by the State as an ‘Outstanding Florida Water’.

“Protecting rivers isn’t a luxury, it’s essential to our health, our economy, and the future of our country. We urge the next Congress to build on this bipartisan opportunity to protect rivers so we can preserve clean water, nature, and sacred values for future generations,” said Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers.

Several other provisions made it onto the omnibus which enhance resilience in the Colorado River Basin. This includes the Colorado River Basin Conservation Act, which authorizes the System Conservation Pilot Program 2023 and 2024. This is a key voluntary water conservation program that can help address drought in the region and builds on past successes to incentivize and support voluntary water conservation across the Upper Colorado River Basin. If successfully implemented, it will help keep more water in the Colorado River and in so doing advance basin-wide efforts to protect critical elevations at Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

Additionally, the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Recovery Act (S. 3693/H.R. 5001) was included, protecting four threatened and endangered native fish species in the Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins. This extends conservation programs for one year to give partners and communities time to develop a long-term management plan to ensure continued recovery and protection of the threatened and endangered fish species in that region.

“Time is running short. While we welcome the progress made to include river protections, more needs to be done this next Congress to protect clean water and wildlife, support local economies, and strengthen communities in the face of climate impacts. Bills have been introduced in Congress to protect 7,000 miles of Wild and Scenic Rivers. American Rivers will look to the 118^th Congress to advance these durable and comprehensive bipartisan solutions,” said Kiernan.

The omnibus spending bill is a $1.7 trillion bill that funds federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of the Interior (DOI). EPA received a $576 million increase from current levels to support the agency’s science, environmental, and enforcement work. The bill also includes $14.7 billion for DOI programs, an increase of $574 million above fiscal year 2022 enacted levels.

Congress must pass the omnibus by Friday, December 23, 2022, to avoid a lapse in government funding. American Rivers looks forward to tracking its development and seeing the omnibus ultimately signed into law without any anti-environmental riders.

December 14, 2022

Contact:

April McEwen, Project Manager
American Rivers
206-213-0330
amcewen@americanrivers.org

Neil Schulman, Executive Director
North Clackamas Watersheds Council
503-550-9282
neil@ncwatersheds.org

NOAA Restoration Center’s largest grant in history will advance Kellogg Creek Restoration and Community Enhancement Project

The Milwaukie community will be a major beneficiary of the federal funds available through the recent Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The NOAA Restoration Center is recommending $15,000,000, its largest grant in history, for the Kellogg Creek Restoration and Community Enhancement Project (Kellogg Project). The effort will restore threatened fish access to 15 miles of habitat in the Kellogg Creek-Mt. Scott watershed, modernize the Highway 99E bridge while improving multi-modal transportation, and provide safe pedestrian access to a restored natural area and creek that will replace the 14-acre impoundment the dam creates.

The Kellogg Project is collaboratively led by American Rivers, the City of Milwaukie, the North Clackamas Watersheds Council, and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The grant will be used to complete project planning, and the groups will target additional funding to complete the construction phase of the project.

“Healthy rivers and clean water provide so many benefits to our communities. We are incredibly excited to secure this funding and advance this great project with support from diverse partners. This project will deliver great value to the community, including sustainable infrastructure, environmental and cultural benefits, and a new natural area for the community to enjoy.” – April McEwen, Project Manager, American Rivers

Project planning will address the poor water quality and contaminated sediment that has accumulated in the lake behind the dam, create a natural stream channel from Oatfield Road to the Willamette River, modify the Highway 99E bridge, and ensure the opportunity for the local community to engage in developing the vision for public access and pertinent project elements.

“ODOT is proud to be part of the leadership team for this important environmental restoration project,” said Rian Windsheimer, ODOT’s Regional Manager. “This opportunity to restore 15 miles of habitat for threatened fish, that has been dammed up since Oregon became a State, while also bringing new federal funding for a new bridge to serve Highway 99E travelers long into the future, is a win-win for Oregon.”

“How often do you get to restore a creek that supports salmon in a city center, create a new natural area a block from a high school, improve floodplain function, create jobs upgrading an earthquake-vulnerable bridge, and improve community access to nature?” says Neil Schulman, Executive Director of the North Clackamas Watersheds Council, which is located on Kellogg Creek in Milwaukie. “This is a fantastic opportunity to restore nature and strengthen our community at the same time.”

Kellogg Dam was built in 1858, before statehood, to power a flour mill that ceased operating in 1890. After mill operations ceased, the obsolete dam and the stagnant backwater pond it created known as “Kellogg Lake” remained and has filled with sediment over time. In 1934, the dam became part of the foundation for the Highway 99E Bridge in the City of Milwaukie and has impeded fish passage and natural ecological processes ever since. In recent years, the dam has been identified as the highest-priority fish passage barrier owned by ODOT. The existing 14-acre lakebed behind the dam is predominately owned by the City of Milwaukie. That same 14 acres will be transformed into a natural creek and floodplain, with public access points, educational opportunities, and multiple additional benefits including localized flood reduction.

A large coalition, including the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Indian Reservation of Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, NOAA Fisheries, Clackamas Water Environment Services, Metro, North Clackamas Parks and Recreation District, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Division of State Lands, the Native Fish Society, and the Natural Resources Office of Governor Kate Brown are working to advance the project.

“Removing Kellogg Dam and restoring the Kellogg watershed has been a goal of our community for decades”, says Mayor-elect Lisa Batey. “I look forward to seeing salmon thriving in lower Kellogg Creek, with the fish passage barrier removed and the creek restored.”

American Rivers is a national organization championing the effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways – because healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. North Clackamas Watersheds Council is a Milwaukie-based nonprofit that works to restore North Clackamas watersheds for fish, wildlife, and people. The City of Milwaukie owns most of the lakebed behind the dam, and the Oregon Department of Transportation inherited Kellogg Dam when Highway 99E was built atop it in 1934.

###

December 2, 2022

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

Today, Democratic members of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Natural Resources Committee Chair Raul Grijalva urging passage of the Environmental Justice for All Act before the end of the 117th Congress to honor the legacy of their late colleague Rep. Donald McEachin. Rep. McEachin passed away on Monday.

Working alongside Chair Raul Grijalva, Rep. McEachin lead the environmental justice movement in Congress. Together, they launched an inclusive, transparent, community-led and community-driven process to create the most comprehensive environmental justice bill in history, the Enviromental Justice for All Act. Rep. McEachin served as a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Natural Resources.

“Rep. McEachin was a steadfast advocate for environmental justice and was a champion of legislation addressing the effects of climate change. He was an advocate for communities of color, low-income communities, Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities, and other vulnerable populations disproportionately burdened by environmental hazards,” said American Rivers Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice, Dr. Mel Michelle Lewis. “His legacy will live on in our work as we collaborate with communities on solutions that address polluted rivers, flooding, lack of clean water, and harmful policies.”

American Rivers joins the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, and environmental justice advocates nationwide, urging the House passage of the Environmental Justice for All Act.

Full text of the letter is available here.

November 21, 2022

Contact:
Molly Phillips, Mainspring Conservation Trust, 828.524.2711 or mphillips@mainspringconserves.org
Chuck Ahlrichs, Northbrook Carolina Hydro II, LLC 480.551.1221 or cahlrichs@nbenergy.com
Erin McCombs, American Rivers, 828.649.7887 or emccombs@americanrivers.org
Joey Owle, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, 828.359.6260 or joeyowle@ebci-nsn.gov

A regionally and nationally significant river restoration project is moving forward on the Oconaluftee River, where a coalition of federal, state, tribal, nonprofit and private partners is working together to remove the Ela Dam in Whittier, North Carolina.

The most recent action is the signing between Mainspring Conservation Trust and Northbrook Carolina Hydro II of an Asset Purchase Option and Sale Agreement. The agreement provides Mainspring, or its assign, the option to acquire the entire impoundment structure, lands and property for nominal value, if it determines dam removal is feasible given available funding and conditioned on receipt of approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and other reviewing agencies.

The coalition, which includes the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC), the US Fish and Wildlife Service, American Rivers, Mainspring, and the Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, was initially spearheaded by EBCI Secretary of Agriculture and Natural Resources Joey Owle. Owle had approached Northbrook, Ela Dam’s owner, about removing the dam following the company’s remediation efforts after an accidental sediment release in October 2021 that affected the downstream reach of the Oconaluftee River.

“The tribe has always had an interest in restoring connectivity to our waterbodies, and the Ela Dam has disconnected our river and aquatic relatives for nearly 100 years,” said Owle as he recounted the impetus of this historic project. “When I began this position in 2017, removing Ela Dam was one of the first ideas I pitched to my staff and leadership. The accidental sediment release coincided with an unprecedented funding opportunity from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). That, coupled with determined parties all around ready to pursue the idea of reconnecting 188 square miles of the watershed through a social and environmental justice lens, was perfect timing. I am grateful that Chuck Ahlrichs (of Northbrook) took my call in December 2021, and with a team of exceptional partners, we were able to come together to create an opportunity from the ground up.”

From that first call from EBCI, Northbrook was ready to come to the table with the partners. Nearly 100 years ago, the dam was constructed to support rural electrification but now, the social, economic, and environmental values of reestablishing a free-flowing Oconaluftee River vastly outweigh the one megawatt of output it generates. Northbrook also wanted to improve relations with organizations and agencies that work to protect and improve the nation’s rivers.

“Removing a dam is the fastest way to bring a river back to life,” said Erin McCombs, Southeast Conservation Director with American Rivers. “This project is one of the most exciting river restoration efforts in the U.S., with tremendous benefits including improved water quality, habitat for imperiled fish and wildlife, and cultural reconnection.”

According to American Rivers, 56 dams have been removed in North Carolina to restore river health. If this project is successful, it may serve as a template for how dam owners can work cooperatively with American Rivers and other partners to decommission dams when the value of a free-flowing river outweighs a dam’s power generation.

Mainspring Executive Director Jordan Smith says the EBCI-led coalition meetings have resulted in each partner bringing their organization’s best to the table to find a creative path forward. “As a land trust, we are used to owning assets,” he said. “American Rivers brings their expertise in managing dam removals while the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and US Fish and Wildlife Service have supported the initiative from day one, identifying and providing funding and prioritizing this project within their offices. And without the leadership from the EBCI and Northbrook’s willingness to essentially contribute the property to the effort, we absolutely could not move forward. This is truly a team effort.”

Removal of the dam will open 549 river miles of the Oconaluftee River and its tributaries; streams across the entire Qualla boundary and parts of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be connected once again to the lower Oconaluftee and Tuckasegee Rivers. Additionally, culturally important fish species will have access to spawning areas in upstream Tribal waters after being disconnected from them for nearly a century.

Mainspring’s and Northbrook’s signing of the Asset Purchase Option and Sale Agreement allows the coalition to continue its work on the next phase of project planning. With funding from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, American Rivers is leading the design and engineering studies for dam removal while the coalition moves forward with planning and regulatory approval processes. Mainspring’s purchase option will expire in April 2023.

About American Rivers

American Rivers believes a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere, is essential. Since 1973, we have protected wild rivers, restored damaged rivers and conserved clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and 300,000 supporters, members, and volunteers across the country, we are the most trusted and influential river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions for a better future. Because life needs rivers. www.AmericanRivers.org

November 21, 2022

Contact: Marcus Kahn, 626-298-9672

Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

American Rivers announced today that Dr. Ann Willis is joining the organization as its new California Regional Director. Throughout her career she has developed and implemented science-informed strategies to conserve rivers across the state, and incorporate climate change into river management.

“As a researcher, communicator, and engineer, Ann brings an intimate understanding of California’s rivers and the threats they face. And as a whitewater guide, she brings a special brand of courage and leadership,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Regional Conservation. “We’re at a critical moment right now with rivers in California, and all of these qualities will be essential as we forge solutions for the state’s rivers and people. We are thrilled to welcome Ann to the American Rivers team.”

Most recently, Dr. Willis was a senior researcher with the U.C. Davis Center for Watershed Sciences. She has also worked as a water resources engineer with Watercourse Engineering, Inc. and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and as a whitewater raft guide.

On the Klamath River, Willis worked with partners including ranchers, conservation organizations, state and federal agencies, and tribes to develop strategies for salmon recovery and dam removal. Her work on the Sacramento-San Joaquin focused on incorporating climate change and environmental flows into the management of major flood control dams.

Willis received her Masters and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at U.C. Davis. She has a B.A. in Print Journalism and English Literature and Language from the University of Southern California.

“Every person who lives, eats, or drinks in California is touched by its rivers,” Dr. Willis said. “More and more, we’re embracing how healthy rivers lead to thriving communities. I’m honored to have the opportunity to develop results-oriented, on-the-ground, sustainable solutions that aligns Californians with the power of its rivers.”

Willis will start at American Rivers on November 28. She will be based in Woodland, CA.

About American Rivers

American Rivers believes a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere, is essential. Since 1973, we have protected wild rivers, restored damaged rivers, and conserved clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and 300,000 supporters, members, and volunteers across the country, we are the most trusted and influential river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions for a better future. Because life needs rivers. www.AmericanRivers.org

National recognition celebrates progress and is a call to action for clean water

October 17, 2022

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

Peter Raabe, 202-441-6174, praabe@americanrivers.org

www.AmericanRivers.org/RiverOfTheYear

(Washington) – Celebrating community leadership and progress for clean water and river health, American Rivers today named the Neuse River the “River of the Year” for 2022.

“The River of the Year honor celebrates outstanding progress toward a cleaner, healthier Neuse River that is vital to every person who lives in this region,” said Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers. “We applaud the frontline communities and partners who speak up for the river every day and continue to push for solutions. This river is a success story that we must keep writing together.”

The national honor comes on the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act – bipartisan legislation that protects the fundamental right to clean water nationwide. Before the Act was signed into law in 1972, the Neuse River was choked with pollution from textile mills and other manufacturing. The federal safeguards provided by the Clean Water Act, combined with local efforts to stem polluted runoff, improve water management, and remove outdated dams have been the major drivers in the river’s ongoing recovery. Over the years, local governments and the state have invested millions to upgrade failing wastewater facilities, reduce polluted runoff, and protect critical areas of the watershed.

“The Neuse shows what’s possible when strong federal clean water safeguards meet innovative, community-led solutions,” said Samantha Krop, Sound Rivers’ Neuse Riverkeeper. “And we have more work to do. Frontline communities have long been burdened by pollution and flooding. We must uphold clean water safeguards. Now is not the time to turn back the clock on protections for clean water and public health.”

“The Neuse river is a major waterway in North Carolina, flowing through much of the state and providing clean drinking water to millions of North Carolinians,” said Senator Thom Tillis. “I will continue my work to improve our infrastructure to ensure our water sources are clean and safe for both wildlife and the people of North Carolina.”

The Neuse River flows 275 miles from the Piedmont of North Carolina to Pamlico Sound on the Atlantic coast. Roughly 2.5 million people, a quarter of North Carolina’s population, live in the Neuse River watershed, which includes Raleigh-Durham, Johnson County, Goldsboro, and New Bern. The river provides drinking water for the vast majority of the watershed’s population.

Because no dams block the river from Raleigh to the Atlantic, the river’s free-flowing nature provides excellent recreation opportunities. In 2021 the Neuse River Blueway was launched creating an interconnected network of paddle and walking trails from Raleigh to Clayton. From Smithfield, the Mountains-to-Sea Trail returns to the water as a paddle trail past the impressive 100-foot Cliffs of the Neuse canyon and ending at Havelock just before Pamlico Sound.

American Rivers underscored that while communities along the Neuse should be proud of the River of the Year honor and should celebrate the river’s progress, important work remains. Ongoing commitment from national leaders and local communities is critical to address growing challenges such as agricultural pollution, aging water infrastructure, and increased flooding driven by climate change. Systemic injustices disproportionately burden Black, Latino, Tribal Nations, Indigenous, and other communities of color with pollution and flooding. And with the Supreme Court considering Sackett v. EPA, a case that could severely weaken Clean Water Act safeguards, federal protections hang in the balance on the Neuse and nationwide.

“The Neuse River is deserving of national recognition — it’s also deserving of added protection from the ongoing threats the river faces from climate change and pollution,” said Brian Buzby, executive director of North Carolina Conservation Network. “With the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal legislation that will provide resources to our state, we see great opportunities ahead for investments that, if done equitably, will help communities up and down the Neuse improve their relationship with the river and with one another and will carry us toward a cleaner, more resilient Neuse River for generations to come.”

American Rivers urged leaders across the watershed to continue to work together to reduce pollution, and to advance just, equitable clean water solutions for all communities. The Lower Neuse Basin Association, the Upper Neuse River Basin Association and community activists will continue to play critical roles. The Environmental Protection Agency will also continue to play a vital role in supporting the improvements in the watershed driving science and investment in clean water. The additional investments coming to communities through the Infrastructure and Jobs Act and the focus that the newly launched Office of Environmental Justice at EPA will help fulfill the promise of the Clean Water Act.

“Healthy rivers are essential to all life. This River of the Year honor should serve as a rallying cry for continued progress on the Neuse, setting a positive example for rivers and communities nationwide,” Kiernan said.

American Rivers has awarded previous River of the Year honors to Ohio’s Cuyahoga River (2019) and the Delaware River (2020).

American Rivers thanks True North, presenting sponsor of River of the Year 2022.

About American Rivers

American Rivers believes a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere is essential. Since 1973, we have protected wild rivers, restored damaged rivers and conserved clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 300,000 supporters, members and volunteers across the country, we are the most trusted and influential river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions for a better future. Because life needs rivers. www.AmericanRivers.org

An Assessment of Demand for Floodplain Easements in the Upper Mississippi River Basin

Contact:

Olivia Dorothy, 217-390-3658

Amy Kober, 503-708-1145

Significant new investments are needed in the Upper Mississippi River Basin to reduce agricultural damages from flooding, according to The Multiple Benefits of Floodplain Easements released today by American Rivers. In the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states – Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Wisconsin – flooding is the most frequent and widespread cause of crop damage. Over the past decade, flood-related agricultural damages in the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states have exceeded $8 billion, while flood prevention funding over that same time was only $267 million.

“Analysis of the USDA’s cause of loss data for the Federal Crop Insurance Program shows that flood damages have been escalating in the last two decades,” said Olivia Dorothy, Restoration Director at American Rivers. “The trends are in line with the more extreme precipitation patterns that we have observed in the region. Not only are more acres flooding, but the cost of the flood damages is also increasing.”

The report also found that the average subside per acre has also been increasing with these trends, even when controlled for inflation and number of acres enrolled. The average subside for flood damaged acres during the historic 1993 Flood was under $20. But during the 2019 Flood, the average per acre subsides for flood damages jumped to over $80.

“The report highlights how and why we need to farm differently as climate change drives more extreme precipitation events and prolonged flooding,” said Dorothy. “Farmers need more resources and options to manage land that is subject to flood damages.”

The report points out that the USDA conservation easement programs often miss flood-prone acres. The Secretary of Agriculture has declared flood-related agricultural disasters annually across the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states, yet funding for the USDA floodplain easement program has only been open to enrollment twice in the region.

The report calls for expanding the use of the USDA floodplain easement program to not only reduce long-term flood damages, but also address other environmental and economic issues in the region, including needs associated with

Supporting local economies,
Increasing conservation opportunities,
Expanding flood storage areas,
Reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution,
Preventing the extinction of local species,
Growing the use of permeant conservation easements, and
Meeting the demand for floodplain easements in the region.

In the five Upper Mississippi River Basin states, 2,210 farmers have tried to enroll land into the USDA floodplain easement program, but only 10 percent of those applications were awarded, representing 16 percent of total acres applied.

To expand the use of the USDA floodplain easements and prevent future flood damages, American Rivers is recommending the following reforms for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill:

The USDA floodplain easement option should be open for annually enrollment and added to the Agricultural Conservation Easement Programs.
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) should implement a tracking system for their floodplain easements.
The USDA-NRCS should collaborate with university, the U.S. Geological Survey, and other independent experts to understand the monetary value of floodplain ecosystem services.
Congress should remove land-tenure requirements for the floodplain easement program to ensure extremely flood-prone land can be taken out of production and protected permanently.
The USDA should work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to track and prioritize properties with a history of repetitive losses due to flooding.
The USDA should develop recommendations and best management practices for farmers where flooding is becoming more frequent and widespread to reduce damages.
The USDA-NRCS should develop science-based recommendations for restoring floodplain functionality, including recommendations on levee and dike removal or modifications.

About American Rivers

American Rivers believes a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere is essential. Since 1973, we have protected wild rivers, restored damaged rivers, and conserved clean water for people and nature. With headquarters in Washington, D.C., and 300,000 supporters, members, and volunteers across the country, we are the most trusted and influential river conservation organization in the United States, delivering solutions for a better future. Because life needs rivers. www.AmericanRivers.org

September 28, 2022

Contact:
Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145 , akober@americanrivers.org
Gary Belan, 703-786-3442

The Supreme Court hearing in Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency represents a precarious tipping point for clean water safeguards vital to the health and safety of millions of Americans. On October 3, the Court will hear arguments to throw out 50 years of precedence concerning how the Clean Water Act protects rivers, streams, and clean water.

Before the Clean Water Act, rivers were regularly treated as sewers, with pollution of all kinds being dumped into them – the burning Cuyahoga River is the most memorable example of the state of our rivers before the Act was passed. Should the Court rule against the Environmental Protection Agency, countless streams and wetlands would no longer be protected and polluters would be given free rein to use our nation’s waters as sewers once more.

Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:

“Life depends on rivers. We need clean water for drinking, for the food we eat, for the safety of our communities and the health of our rivers. Weakening clean water protections would be disastrous to communities, the economy and our environment. The Supreme Court must hold the line and reject this attempt to take our nation backwards. For many communities faced with poverty and unsafe water, this is quite literally an issue of life or death.

“Should the Court rule against the Environmental Protection Agency, it would be ruling against 50 years of clean water protections, 50 years of sound, common sense approaches and against everyone who depends on clean water in our rivers and streams. It would weaken EPA’s authority to protect people from pollution in rivers and streams across the country.

“Communities nationwide will face health and safety threats, with low-income communities and Black, Indigenous, Latino/a/x, and Tribal Nations facing disproportionate burdens. All life needs healthy rivers. Without strong federal protections, the rivers that are the lifeblood of our nation will suffer irreparable harm.”

September 26, 2022

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

American Rivers announced today that Sarah Dyrdahl is joining the organization as its new Northwest Regional Director. Throughout her career she has worked as an ecologist and community builder to lead river conservation initiatives and develop strategic partnerships benefitting habitat, wildlife and people.

“As an ecologist, Sarah understands the science of what rivers and wildlife need, and as a community collaborator she understands the heart of what people need,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Regional Conservation at American Rivers. “In this moment where our rivers and clean water face so many critical challenges, Sarah has what it takes to advance our bold vision and secure lasting solutions for this region’s rivers and communities. We are thrilled to welcome her to the American Rivers team.”

For the past year, Dyrdahl has served in the State Forests Division at the Oregon Department of Forestry as Aquatic Riparian Specialist and Interim Deputy Division Chief. She developed policy with a focus on habitat and drinking water, developed stream restoration plans, and served on the inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. From 2015-2021, she served as Executive Director of the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, where she worked with the community to plan, implement and monitor stream restoration projects. Prior to that, she served as Restoration Projects Manager for the North Santiam, South Santiam, and Calapooia Watershed Councils, and the Coos Watershed Association. Dyrdahl also worked as Staff Biologist for the Ninilchik Traditional Council in Ninilchik, Alaska, performing habitat assessments and stewardship for subsistence species, focused on salmon and moose.

She received a B.S. in Biology from Oregon State University and has extensive training in river restoration practice and advancing equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice in the environmental space.

“The Pacific Northwest is defined by water, and our health, well-being and future is inextricably linked to our rivers. For me, there is nothing more satisfying than building community around being in right relationship with the land and water. The threads of joy in my work are the authentic partnership, innovation and dedication to address complex problems. Our rivers and communities need bold, inclusive, equitable solutions, and I’m energized to work with our partners and supporters to achieve ambitious goals.”

Dyrdahl begins at American Rivers today, and will be based in Eugene, Oregon.

About American Rivers

###

American Rivers statement on release of final Murray-Inslee report

August 25, 2022

Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Washington Governor Jay Inslee released their final report today examining how to replace the hydropower, irrigation, and transportation services of the four federal dams on the lower Snake River. Senator Murray and Governor Inslee’s final report and recommendations make it clear that dam removal is necessary to restore a healthy, free-flowing river and recover endangered salmon runs, which are essential to Northwest Tribal Nations and the region’s economy.

Kyle Smith, Snake River Director for American Rivers, made the following statement:

“This report is a call to our entire region to roll up our sleeves, have the tough conversations, and get to work on specific solutions with a timetable that works for everyone. Communities are hurting and we need answers and action now.”

“Investing in the Northwest’s infrastructure and replacing the lower Snake dams’ services is essential before the dams are removed. Our region must take the lead on a plan now, or else somebody else will dictate our future. We need clean affordable energy, reliable transportation to get goods to market, and thriving agriculture. We also need abundant, harvestable salmon and steelhead runs. Today’s report is an important step toward gathering necessary information and crafting a collaborative, pragmatic solution.”

“We are grateful to Senator Murray and Governor Inslee for their leadership in defining the path forward. Their work, along with the efforts of other members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, is creating important momentum towards a lasting solution for the Snake River and all of the people who depend on it. The Biden administration’s recent commitments on salmon recovery and honoring treaties is encouraging, and increases the urgency for a collaborative, regionally-led solution. American Rivers is dedicated to working with anyone committed to the health and future of the river, its salmon, people and economy.”

###

Contact:

Jeff Odefey, American Rivers, 415.589.0642, JOdefey@americanrivers.org
Becky Hammer, Natural Resources Defense Council, 202.513.6254, rhammer@nrdc.org Bruce Reznik, Los Angeles Waterkeeper, (619) 851-9997, bruce@lawaterkeeper.org Sean Bothwell, California Coastkeeper Alliance 949-291-3401, sbothwell@cacoastkeeper.org

LOS ANGELES – In response to petitions filed by American Rivers, NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), and Los Angeles Waterkeeper (Petitioners), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Board) have proposed the nation’s first requirement for certain commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) sites to reduce polluted stormwater discharges in two Los Angeles County watersheds that are heavily polluted by zinc and copper. The agencies are accepting public comments on the new CII permit through September 9.

Polluted stormwater running off the parking lots and rooftops of CII properties, such as big box stores and large distribution centers, is largely unregulated, forcing local governments to bear the responsibility of cleaning up impacted waters. In many cases, municipal efforts have been insufficient to restore these waterways to a healthy condition. Recognizing the need for action, in 2015 the Petitioners requested that EPA direct CII sites to obtain Clean Water Act permits that would reduce the amount of pollution that they dump into the Alamitos Bay/Los Cerritos Channel Watershed and the Dominguez Channel and Los Angeles/Long Beach Inner Harbor Watershed. In connection with the petition, the groups submitted detailed evidence establishing that privately owned CII sites were contributing to widespread violations of water quality standards in the two watersheds at issue. As a result of these repeated violations, the waterways are unsafe for human use and create risks of health impacts from fish consumption or recreation, in addition to harming local wildlife.

After EPA declined to take action, the Petitioners successfully went to court and obtained a precedential order requiring stormwater from CII sites in these watersheds to be regulated. The steps taken this month by EPA Region 9 and the Regional Board to implement that court order demonstrate meaningful leadership to achieve healthier waterways for Angelenos.

The CII permit marks a new generation in stormwater permitting, building on lessons learned over the past decades of stormwater regulation. The CII permit applies to privately-owned CII sites with at least 5 acres of impervious surfaces, which account for 32% of the stormwater pollution that enters the two watersheds at issue. The CII permit provides three clear and concise paths to compliance, allowing every permittee to understand their legal obligation to reduce contamination. It addresses a currently unregulated source of stormwater pollution, ensuring property owners do their fair share to control pollution generated from their property and lessening costs and regulatory burdens for local governments. The new CII permit also encourages collaboration between CII owners to build green infrastructure projects that will improve water quality, contribute to a sustainable source of water supply and build more resilient communities. Finally, the CII permit is forward-thinking because it creates a funding mechanism for local governments to build planned but unfunded stormwater pollution control projects.

While the CII permit is a significant step towards achieving water quality standards in Los Angeles, it is only a first step. The state needs to do more to regulate all privately-owned CII facilities across California that discharge significant amounts of stormwater pollutants into our waters. By expanding the CII permit and reducing water pollution statewide, EPA and the State of California can make good on their obligations to ensure that all Californians have fishable, swimmable waters.

“This moment has been long in coming, and we’re excited that our collaboration with EPA and the Water Boards has led to real progress toward healthier urban waters in California,” says Jeff Odefey, of American Rivers’ Clean Water Supply Program. “Hopefully this permit will be a model for action across California and the rest of the nation.”

“The conventional approach to cleaning up stormwater – placing the burden on local governments – isn’t fair, and it isn’t working,” says Becky Hammer, Deputy Director of Federal Water Policy for NRDC. “It’s time to try something new. Private properties that contribute to water quality problems need to play a role in the shared effort of restoring our waterways to full health. This draft permit embodies the kind of cutting-edge, collaborative strategy we need, and we’re excited to see it adopted and implemented.”

“We are pleased to see the release of this innovative permit that finally addresses a key source of polluted urban runoff throughout Los Angeles, and simultaneously creates opportunities to enhance local water supplies,” says Bruce Reznik, Executive Director for Los Angeles Waterkeeper. “We look forward to working with the Regional Board and the State Water Board to ensure this permit, and any forthcoming statewide commercial permit, helps achieve clean waterways in our region and elsewhere as soon as possible.”

“We applaud the Water Boards’ initiative to modernize stormwater permitting in California while also encouraging green infrastructure in highly urban communities,” says Sean Bothwell, Executive Director for California Coastkeeper Alliance. “The Los Angeles CII permit should be a model for the rest of the state, and we are hopeful that current legislation (AB 2106 – R. Rivas) will result in the adoption of a statewide CII permit.”

The Preliminary Residual Designation released by EPA can be found here.

The Draft CII Stormwater Permit released by the Regional Board can be found here.

###