More work needed for rivers and climate justice
August 8, 2022
Contact: Sinjin Eberle, 720-373-0864
American Rivers today applauded the Senate for passing the historic Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which represents the largest climate action in history. The bill contains $369 billion for climate and energy provisions, including $4 billion to combat drought in the western U.S.
Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“From the flooding in Kentucky to the drought crisis in the Southwest, communities are already feeling the devastating and costly impacts of climate change. In addition to drastically reducing emissions, we must protect and restore the rivers our communities need to survive and thrive.
“This bill is a historic step forward, and the work is far from finished. Along with the forward-thinking provisions, the deal also includes investment in fossil fuel infrastructure, as well as a possible agreement to weaken vital safeguards such as the Clean Water Act. We must stay vigilant, defending our rivers and clean drinking water supplies from harm and ensuring impacted communities are in control of their futures.
“Rivers are the source of powerful, equitable, cost-effective climate solutions. A healthy river is a community’s first line of defense against climate impacts, offering clean drinking water, flood protection, sustainable food, and safe places to stay cool and connect to nature and culture.
“We urge the House to get this legislation over the finish line and deliver on the climate solutions our communities urgently need. And we urge President Biden to declare a climate emergency to advance just, equitable solutions for rivers and communities nationwide.
August 4, 2022
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers announced today that Kyle Smith will join the organization as its new Snake River director. The new position demonstrates the organization’s strong commitment to advancing solutions for the Snake River that recover salmon runs, honor treaties and commitments with Tribal Nations, invest in clean energy and agriculture, and strengthen communities across the Northwest.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kyle to American Rivers,” said Heather Taylor-Miesle, Senior Vice President for Advocacy and Regional Conservation at American Rivers. “With his strong personal ties to the Snake River and its communities, and his extensive expertise building partnerships for conservation, Kyle is a tremendous addition to our Northwest regional team, and the Snake River campaign.”
Smith grew up in and around the Snake River watershed. He has a deep connection to the river and understands the costs and benefits that the four federal dams on the lower Snake have brought to the region. An avid hunter and angler, he is passionate about finding durable salmon recovery and river restoration solutions.
Most recently, Smith served as the Community Engagement Coordinator for State Forests for the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), where he played a senior leadership role creating strategies to improve outreach and strengthen partnerships, and co-chaired ODF’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. Before that, Kyle was Oregon Field Coordinator with Trout Unlimited, working with industry, businesses, elected leaders, anglers, farmers and ranchers to develop and implement long-term plans to conserve native fish habitat.
He received a Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science, and Regional Planning from Washington State University. He has a Master of Public Administration, Environmental Science and Policy, from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and he received a Doctor of Jurisprudence from University of Oregon School of Law.
“I’m honored to join the team at American Rivers to work on what I see as the most important and exciting river restoration opportunity in the country,” said Smith. “I look forward to learning from Tribes and other leaders who have been at the forefront of Snake River salmon recovery efforts for decades, as well as the communities, businesses, anglers and farmers who all have a vital stake in this river’s future. I’m ready to get to work.”
Smith will start at American Rivers on August 10.
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
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July 29, 2022
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers applauded the deal between Senator Joe Manchin and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to advance the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which would be the biggest climate action in history. The bill contains $369 billion for climate and energy provisions.
Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“Devastating and costly examples of the climate crisis are already playing out on rivers nationwide. We must drastically reduce emissions to avoid the worst of climate impacts and also protect and restore rivers to buffer communities from the impacts that are already upon us.”
“Rivers are the source of powerful, equitable, cost-effective climate solutions. A healthy river is a community’s first line of defense against climate impacts, offering clean drinking water, flood protection, sustainable food, and safe places to stay cool and connect to nature and culture. We urge Congress to get this legislation over the finish line and deliver on solutions our communities urgently need.”
In addition, American Rivers sent a letter applauding President Biden for taking additional administrative actions to address climate change, and outlined key investments needed for healthy rivers and clean water. The letter states:
“Clean water and healthy hydrologic systems are vital to strong communities, and this will be even more true as our climate continues to change so bold action is required. Declaring a national climate emergency will unlock the broad powers of the National Emergency Act (NEA) to improve water quality, reduce wildfires, enhance floodplain restoration, and protect vulnerable communities from climate change. We write to you today to urge your administration to speed up investments to scale, transform urban environments to be more climate resilient, make sure every community can act, assess and conserve sources of freshwater in public lands, and reduce emissions everywhere and tear down barriers to action.”
Read the full letter here.
Cahokia Heights leaders fail to call for state and federal aid, leaving residents in danger
July 28, 2022
Contacts:
Nicole Nelson, Equity Legal Services, 618-693-9800
Jackson, Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council, 314-534-5800
Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers, 217-390-3658
Meleah Geertsma, NRDC, 312-651-7904
In the wake of historic flooding in the St. Louis metro area, Equity Legal Services, Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council, American Rivers, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Earthjustice today said the flood underscores major failings in disaster response for the people of Cahokia Heights, Illinois, arising from decades of racism that have left this community stranded and which will only increase with climate change. The groups urged municipal, state and federal leaders to help residents of Cahokia Heights, who have been disproportionately impacted by flooding and compounding sewage and drinking water crises. Even as the rest of Metro St. Louis has seen the floodwaters recede, residents of Cahokia Heights are facing elevated floodwaters and sewage in their homes – evidence that local, state and federal disaster systems are failing the communities most in need.
“Cahokia Heights has long been plagued by flooding, even with the slightest rain,” said Nicole Nelson, Executive Director of Equity Legal Services. “Our community has been persistently neglected by municipal leaders who have mismanaged our stormwater and sewage infrastructure to the point that our homes are frequently flooded with raw sewage. For too many years, the rest of the state and our country has abandoned or given up on this Black and very low-income community, leaving it to fend for itself. More recent commitments are promising, but real changes haven’t been made yet and more contributors need to take responsibility for their impacts.”
Cahokia Heights, Illinois, is located in the St. Louis metro area, where, according to the National Weather Service, the area received over 9-inches of rain in a 24-hour period from July 25-26. Rain storms are deemed “extreme” when they exceed 1-inch in a 24-hour period. Cahokia Heights was established May 6, 2021 after the communities of Cahokia, Alorton, and Centreville voted to consolidate.
“The flooding didn’t allow me to leave my home until this morning,” said Mr. Earlie Fuse, a homeowner in Cahokia Heights. “And I was not able to use my commode or take a bath for three days. About 9 or 10 feet of water is still standing in my basement and foul-smelling water is still rising from the manhole covers of the combined sewer systems.”
According to IEMA, municipal officials in Cahokia Heights have only requested very limited assistance from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, a request that was not made until several days after the event and following pressure from residents, local groups, and organizations. This lapse in assistance is forcing property owners to invest thousands of dollars in pumps, hotel rooms, bleach, bottled water and other equipment and supplies necessary to deal with the flooding.
“IEMA should have been deploying assistance services in our community before the rain started,” said Kalila Jackson, attorney at Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing & Opportunity Council. “We are asking municipal, state and federal officials to do everything in their power to help Cahokia Heights and the many other Black communities in the Metro East that have suffered from racist disinvestment get the resources they need to respond to this still active flood event.”
The Centreville neighborhood of what is now Cahokia Heights is 95 percent African American and the median household income is $23,500. The area was redlined during the New Deal because the population was 80 percent African American, the community lacked public transportation, and homes were poorly constructed. As with most redlined communities, the city has suffered from intentional race-based disinvestment, as federal finance policies prohibited investments in Black communities. These racist lending policies caused rapid deterioration of homes and infrastructure while allowing white families to flee to “better” neighborhoods and concentrating Black families into the area. For decades, the community has been plagued with flooding caused by stormwater and by overflows of sewage that harm residents and pollute waterways.
“It is unconscionable that any community in 2022 would be living with persistent flooding and raw sewage in their homes and yards,” said Olivia Dorothy, American Rivers. “But the flooding in Centreville and other parts of Cahokia Heights illustrates that our disaster response and management system is broken and is failing to address the needs of those most affected by these failures.”
“It’s bad enough when the sewage system breaks or the flood management fails, but when added together it is a potentially lethal combination,” says Earthjustice attorney Debbie Chizewer. “These compounding problems are creating a vicious cycle of pollution and flooding that endangers families, destroys property, and contaminates the water in Centreville.”
“The systems we have in place to address major water crises perpetuate vast disparities among local communities that have been created by decades of racial segregation and disinvestment,” said Meleah Geertsma, Director of Environmental Justice Policy at NRDC. “These systems work for some – but not for too many others. Greater accountability and coordination is needed at all levels of government to ensure that every resident lives without fear of flooding and raw sewage in and around their homes, and with access to safe, sufficient, and affordable drinking water.”
As residents fight to recover, more rain is in the forecast for the St. Louis metro area this week. According to NOAA and the Fourth National Climate Assessment, the Midwest is already experiencing and expected to see further increases in precipitation and more frequent extreme precipitation events that cause flooding.
Additional Resources:
Learn more about flooding in Centreville, IL at https://www.floodedandforgotten.com/
July 15, 2022
Contact: Mike Fiebig, mfiebig@americanrivers.org
Senator Michael Bennet Introduced the Legislation which would protect 76 river miles and 74,006 acres of Public Lands Surrounding the Dolores River
Dolores, CO – After nearly 20 years of collaborative work, Colorado Senator Michael Bennet introduced the Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act on Thursday this week. Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper co-sponsored the bill. The Act was introduced at the behest of Dolores, Montezuma, and San Miguel counties, as well as the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, agricultural producers, fish and wildlife managers, and conservation and recreation organizations. The resulting legislation is bi-partisan and consensus-based, establishing a new National Conservation Area and Special Management Area that will protect wildlife, cultural and historical resources, and existing uses of the land while enhancing local economies well into the future.
The Dolores River Canyon is an essential lifeline to the landscape and culture of western Colorado. It’s renowned for its scenic beauty, wildlife habitat, geological formations, and cultural and historic resources. Protecting it now will ensure that the broad diversity of Americans will continue to be able to access and appreciate the canyon for many years to come, whether on an overnight river trip, driving the Snaggletooth Road, or having a picnic on the canyon rim.
The Act would protect the free-flowing character of 76 miles of the beloved Dolores River and its tributaries, and 68,851 acres of sublime desert canyons and old growth ponderosa pine forest, home to soaring sandstone cliffs and abundant wildlife. The purpose of the legislation is to “conserve, protect, and enhance the native fish, whitewater boating, recreational, scenic, cultural, archeological, natural, geologic, historical, ecological, watershed, wildlife, educational, and scientific resources” of the Conservation and Special Management Area, utilizing protections that keep the area as it is and allowing traditional uses to continue.
The lands in western Colorado are in dire need of better care to ensure a healthy ecosystem for the wildlife and people who call this region home. Protecting the Dolores River landscape also ensures large-scale landscape connectivity, which helps build resilience to climate change impacts for generations to come.
Senator Bennet has been a longtime champion for protecting the Dolores River Canyon region and we thank him for introducing – and Senator Hickenlooper for co-sponsoring – the Dolores River National Conservation Area bill. We’re excited to support Senator Bennet’s commitment to do everything he can to protect these important natural and cultural resources for generations to come.
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June 30, 2022
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
Today’s Supreme Court ruling in West Virginia v. EPA is a major blow to efforts to fight climate change. The ruling constrains EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions – a major contributor to climate change — from the power sector.
As Justice Kagan, joined by Justice Breyer and Justice Sotomayor state in the dissenting opinion,
“Today, the Court strips the Environmental Protection Agency of the power Congress gave it to respond to ‘the most pressing environmental challenge of our time’ …. The Court appoints itself – instead of Congress or the expert agency – the decision-maker on climate policy. I cannot think of many things more frightening.”
Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“Today’s ruling constraining EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions is a big setback to clean air and climate action, making it harder to ensure a future that is healthy, just and livable.
The ruling also raises serious concerns for clean water and rivers. We are looking closely at how this ruling may inform EPA’s authority to regulate pollution in rivers and streams across the country.
If the federal government’s ability to regulate water pollution is similarly undermined, 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 with major consequences for people, the economy and the environment.”
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American Rivers statement in response to Murray-Inslee draft report
June 9, 2022
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington Senator Patty Murray and Washington Governor Jay Inslee have released a draft report examining how the services of the four lower Snake River dams could be replaced, in the event the dams are removed to restore healthy, harvestable Snake River salmon and steelhead runs.
Wendy McDermott, Northwest regional director for American Rivers, released the following statement:
“Snake River salmon and steelhead runs are headed for extinction if we don’t take bold, immediate action. The draft report illuminates that restoring the lower Snake River through removing the four federal dams will provide the best chance for these culturally and economically important fish. The Tribal Nations and communities that depend on salmon are depending on our elected officials to act with urgency. Senator Murray and Governor Inslee’s leadership is essential in taking the next step of implementing solutions that restore healthy, abundant numbers of salmon and steelhead, honor treaties and commitments to tribes, ensure clean affordable energy, and support the region’s strong agricultural economy.”
“American Rivers is committed to working with communities to implement solutions that enable everyone to do well, whether you make your living catching salmon off the coast or growing potatoes near Pasco. The Northwest and the nation cannot afford to ignore the salmon and steelhead extinction crisis. Let’s work together to make change work in favor of everyone.” Read more about the need to restore a free-flowing lower Snake River, one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2022: https://endangeredrivers.americanrivers.org/snake-river/
June 7, 2022
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers announced today that Andy Sheehan has been elected to its board of directors. Sheehan brings a breadth of expertise that will be instrumental in helping the organization achieve its vision of clean water and healthy rivers everywhere, for everyone.
Sheehan is a technology venture capitalist, based in Palo Alto, California and Jackson Hole, Wyoming and is the managing partner of Tippet Venture Partners. Previously, he was a managing director of Sutter Hill Ventures. He has invested in and served on the boards of numerous leading public and private companies for more than 30 years. Andy is currently on the boards of Yext, Quinstreet, H55.ch, Real Magic, Creditly, GLMX and Certemy. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the Wharton School of Finance.
“Andy has a deep connection to rivers and has been a dedicated conservation supporter for decades,” said Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers. “His leadership comes at a critical moment, and his perspective will guide us as we develop bold solutions to address some of the most pressing challenges facing rivers, including climate change, racial injustice and the biodiversity crisis. At a time where we must maximize our impact, I am grateful for the leadership of our strong and dedicated board.”
“Growing up in Walla Walla, Washington, I spent many happy years hiking and fishing in and around the Snake River area,” Sheehan said. “One of my motivations to become involved with American Rivers is to work to rehabilitate this great river ecosystem. I look forward to helping American Rivers grow its impact all across the country, protecting and restoring the rivers that are so vital to our lives.”
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June 6, 2022
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
American Rivers announced today that its board of directors has elected Dr. Pallavi Phartiyal as the organization’s new Board Chair. Phartiyal will be the first person of color to hold this office in the organization’s almost 50 year history. She has served as Vice Chair since 2020.
An experienced and talented leader, Phartiyal has decades of experience in nonprofit management, science policy and centering equity and justice in the climate movement. She serves as deputy executive director at Rainforest Action Network where she oversees the overall management of the organization and guides its programmatic priorities and racial justice commitment.
Phartiyal succeeds John Haydock, who has served as Board Chair since 2019.
“Pallavi is a tremendous leader, and I am thrilled that she is the new Board Chair of American Rivers,” said Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers. “Her dedication to rivers, her scientific and advocacy expertise and her commitment to equity will strengthen the organization at a time when we must maximize our impact to confront the challenges facing rivers, including climate change, loss of nature, and racial injustice. I am grateful for John Haydock’s excellent leadership, and am delighted to welcome Pallavi in her new role.”
“We are in one of the most critical times that humanity has ever encountered for our planet, climate and rivers,” Phartiyal said. “I am inspired by American Rivers’ commitment to building a broad and inclusive movement for cleaner, healthier, free-flowing rivers that support the lives, cultures, and livelihoods of millions of people across the country. I am honored to take on the Board Chair role to work alongside a passionate and smart board, staff and leadership to secure healthy rivers for all.”
Prior to joining Rainforest Action Network, Phartiyal helped launch the Center for Science and Democracy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, where she advocated for science-based decision-making in the democratic system. Earlier, she was the project director and senior program associate at the Research Competitiveness Program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science where she worked with research and policy professionals to provide strategic guidance to higher education academic institutions and federal agencies. She holds a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a master’s degree in agronomy from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in India. She is based in San Francisco.
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May 16, 2022
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
In response to the racially motivated mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
We adamantly condemn yesterday’s racist attack targeting Buffalo, New York’s Black community. An 18-year-old white supremacist shot and killed 10 people and injured three others in this horrific mass shooting.
American Rivers envisions a future of clean water and healthy rivers for everyone, everywhere. To achieve our vision, we must center equity and justice in all aspects of our work. We cannot remain silent about acts of racially motivated violence. Black Americans are the leading targets for hate crimes in our country. Anti-Semitic attacks, as well as violence against the Latino, Asian, Muslim, and LGBTQ+ communities are also on the rise.
We recognize that, to be successful in our mission, we must remain connected to the communities we serve. That means calling out injustice, naming the harm inflicted by racially motivated hate crimes.
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Testimony before the Subcommittee on Energy of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce
May 12, 2022
Contact: Amy Souers Kober, 503-708-1145
Washington – Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, testified today before the Subcommittee on Energy of the House Committee on Energy & Commerce, in a hearing titled, “Modernizing Hydropower: Licensing and Reforms for a Clean Energy Future”.
The hearing explored a hydropower licensing reform package, negotiated with the hydropower industry, conservation groups and Tribes, which Kiernan called, “an integrated and holistic proposal that successfully creates common ground among the differing interests and priorities of the environmental, tribal, and industry constituencies. It has been carefully balanced to ensure that we “do no harm” to any interests while creating a win-win-win for conservation, tribal, and industry interests.”
Read Tom Kiernan’s testimony here
May 6, 2022
Contact: Amy Kober, 503-708-1145
The White House Council on Environmental Quality has announced Jalonne White-Newsome as Senior Director for Environmental Justice. Tom Kiernan, President of American Rivers, made the following statement:
“We congratulate Jalonne White-Newsome on her appointment to this historic role and applaud the Biden Administration’s commitment to environmental justice. White-Newsome’s leadership in the environmental justice movement and relentless advocacy for Black, Indigenous, people of color, and communities disproportionally harmed by polluted rivers, flooding, and lack of clean water will advance the administration’s commitments to environmental and racial justice.”
“American Rivers looks forward to collaborating with White-Newsome and the White House Council on Environmental Quality on the urgent climate, racial justice, and biodiversity crises as we pursue systemic changes to laws, policies, and practices that support healthy rivers and clean water, everywhere, for everyone.”