Special Edition 2014 newsletter | American Rivers

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AMERICAN RIVERS NEWSLETTER l SPECIAL EDITION 2014

Mark Quasius

Saving River Wildlife

D

id you know that the United States is home to three-fifths of the world’s known crayfishes and one third of all known freshwater mussels?

From these small creatures to black bears, herons, otters, and salmon, our rivers support an extraordinary variety of fish and wildlife. As a member of American Rivers, you help defend these animals every day.

Thanks to you, we recently celebrated some important victories that will help ensure abundant river wildlife for our children and grandchildren.

North Fork Flathead, Montana The waters of the North Fork Flathead River are so clear that you can see native cutthroat trout and bull trout suspended at the bottom of 20-foot deep pools. Grizzly bears,

wolverine, lynx, moose and elk still roam here. Thanks to our advocacy, this river and its wildlife are now one step closer to protection. In March, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the North Fork Watershed Protection Act, which would ban all new mining and energy development on 430,000 acres in the North Fork Flathead River watershed west of Glacier National Park.

Town Brook, Massachusetts In April, we celebrated the return of river herring to Town Brook, the stream that sustained the Wampanoag Nation and the Pilgrims in Plymouth. In recent years, American Rivers worked with partners to remove or modify six dams that had damaged the health of the brook and its fisheries. Now, the herring run is improving, serving as food for important commercial and

recreational fish like cod and many birds and mammals.

Ashley River, South Carolina American Rivers and local communities recently announced the creation of the new Ashley River Blue Trail. The blue trail will enhance recreation opportunities, help protect clean water, and safeguard habitat for fish and wildlife such as redbreast sunfish, striped bass, endangered shortnose sturgeon, and the graceful swallowtailed kite.

You can help river wildlife!

Adopt a river animal in our online adoption center: AmericanRivers.org/Store

A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

It takes time to save a river. Victories don’t happen overnight.

Removing a harmful dam, cleaning up pollution, or securing a Wild and Scenic River designation often takes years of hard work.

One reason American Rivers is such a strong advocate for rivers is our persistence. We work for longterm solutions, and our commitment pays off.

I’m thrilled to share an example of this dedication with you. On the Klamath River, which flows through southwest Oregon into California, our staff has worked with partners for more than a decade to restore imperiled salmon and river health by removing four large dams.

In April, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) announced he will introduce legislation to authorize key Klamath restoration agreements — a major step toward one of the biggest dam removal and river restoration efforts the world has seen. Removing the four dams — scheduled to begin in 2020 — will restore 300 miles of habitat for salmon and steelhead.

The project will also improve water supplies and revitalize fishing, farming, and tribal communities.

We’ve come a long way toward Klamath River restoration, but the work isn’t done yet. I hope I can count on you to continue the journey with us, as we see this important project through. Your support is vital for our work on the Klamath, and for protecting and restoring all of the nation’s rivers.

I look forward to celebrating many more river conservation victories together.

William Robert (Bob) Irvin President PHOTO BY: Krista Schlyer

www.AmericanRivers.org

Donor Spotlight

Want to do Stan Slater is

an avid kayaker, fisher, and lover of all things water.

He has paddled rivers in more than 10 states, enjoying a peaceful float as well as big rapids.

“My wife Paula and I have been members of American Rivers for about 30 years because we believe that water is the lifeblood of our country.

Our rivers are the veins and arteries that carry that lifeblood, and American Rivers is the most powerful voice for these national treasures.” In order to continue their support beyond their lifetimes, the Slaters have included a bequest to American Rivers in their estate plans.

For information on how you can join Stan and Paula in legacy giving to American Rivers, please visit AmericanRivers.org/

PlannedGiving

Let’s Go Fishing!

American Rivers is pleased to announce this year’s list of trips available to Anglers Fund members. Go fishing with our staff on rivers we’ve helped protect and restore. Some of this year’s trips include: n Fly fishing the epic Salmon Fly hatch on Oregon’s Deschutes

River n Guided float fishing on the Upper Colorado, #2 on this year’s

America’s Most Endangered Rivers list n Fishing for wild trout in the upper section of the Southeast’s

Chattooga River (one of our first Wild and Scenic Rivers) See the complete list of trips and join the Anglers Fund at www.AmericanRivers.org/ AnglersFund Questions? Contact Steve White at swhite@americanrivers.org or (877) 347-7550.

SANSAN JOAQUIN RIVER,RIVER, CA JOAQUIN CA Jones Alison Alison Jones/NoWater-NoLife.org

2014

2014 SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CA

T

Christopher Beaver, Tales of the San Joaquin

hanks to your support, our America’s Most Endangered RiversŽ report is one of the most effective tools in the environmental movement for publicizing threats to rivers and galvanizing the public to take action. Through this campaign, you have helped us sound the alarm on hundreds of rivers, saving them from urgent threats such as pollution, oil and gas development, and dams.

The 2014 report highlights a number of key threats, and shines the spotlight on rivers running dry because of outdated water management, wasteful water use, and persistent drought.

As you will see with the San Joaquin River and other rivers on the list, when we withdraw too much water from rivers, communities and wildlife suffer.

Working with our local partners and supporters like you, we will keep fighting for healthy rivers and common sense water supply solutions. Together, we will make a difference.

Learn more and take action at www.AmericanRivers.org/EndangeredRivers

Why these 10 rivers?

Each year, American Rivers selects 10 rivers from across the country whose fate is on the line. We use the following criteria to determine the list: l A major decision in the

coming year that the public can help influence l The significance of the

river to people and wildlife l The magnitude of the

threat to the river and its communities, especially in light of a changing climate

8

WA

ME

White River OR ID

MT 10 Clearwater/Lochsa Rivers

VT

ND MN SD

CT MI

WY

5

7 White River

1 San Joaquin River

IA

MD

OH

NE IN

IL

CO

2 Upper Colorado KS 3 River Middle Mississippi River TN

UT

AZ

OK AR

NM

4 Gila River

MS

TX

1 San Joaquin River

VA

9

KY

Haw River

South Fork Edisto River AL

6

SC

LA FL

3 Middle Mississippi River

7 White River (CO)

4 Gila River

8 White River (WA)

5 San Francisquito Creek

9 Haw River

6 South Fork Edisto River

10 Clearwater/Lochsa Rivers

l

NC

GA

2 Upper Colorado River

San Joaquin River

DE

WV

MO

San Francisquito Creek

1

NJ

PA

CA NV

MA RI

NY

WI

NH

California

THREAT: Outdated water management

and excessive diversions

AT RISK: River health and resilient

communities

The San Joaquin is Central California’s largest river, supporting endangered fish and wildlife, communities, and one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. However, the river is so overtapped that it runs completely dry in stretches, threatening water quality, endangering fish and wildlife, creating uncertainty for farmers, and leaving communities vulnerable in the face of more frequent and severe droughts.

The California Water Resources Control Board must act this year to increase flows in the San Joaquin so that the watershed is healthy enough to support fish and wildlife, sustainable agriculture, and resilient communities for generations to come.

Take Action at www.AmericanRivers.org/EndangeredRivers

SAN JOAQUIN RIVER, CA

Patrick Kelly

3

2

Upper Colorado River Colorado

THREAT: New water diversions AT RISK: River health and

recreation

The Upper Colorado River and its tributaries include some of the most heavily degraded rivers and some of the last truly healthy rivers in the West. The rivers are critical to Colorado’s heritage; they are the life-line for much of the state’s fish and wildlife, they sustain a vibrant agricultural economy, and they provide world-class opportunities for fishing, paddling, and hiking. However, these renowned rivers are threatened by increasing water demands and new proposed water diversions. The Governor of Colorado must take a stand now and keep water flowing in the rivers by promoting responsible conservation measures in the Colorado Water Plan.

UPPER COLORADO RIVER, CO

3

Ken Neubecker

Middle Mississippi River Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky

THREAT: Outdated flood

management

AT RISK: Habitat and public safety

MISSISSIPPI RIVER, MO

4

Ted Heisel

The Mississippi River’s ability to spread out into its floodplain is important for fish and wildlife and for protecting downstream communities from floodwaters. Unfortunately, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is proposing to cut off the Mississippi River from one of its last floodplain connections by constructing a new levee at the bottom of the New Madrid Floodway.

The Corps should abandon the New Madrid Levee project. If they do not, the Environmental Protection Agency should veto the project.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers

4

Gila River

l

New Mexico

THREAT: New water diversions AT RISK: River health, fish and

wildlife, recreation, and tourism

New Mexico’s last free-flowing river, the Gila, is threatened by an expensive and unnecessary water diversion and pipeline project.

The new diversions, pipelines, and storage reservoirs would not only harm wildlife, fish, and river health, but would negatively impact local economies dependent upon outdoor recreation and tourism. New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez must protect the Gila River and ensure that her Interstate Stream Commission consider and implement cheaper and more effective non-diversion alternatives to meet southwest New Mexico’s water supply needs.

SAN FRANCISQUITO CREEK, CA

GILA RIVER, NM

EDISTO RIVER, SC

Matt Stoecker

5 San Francisquito Creek

l

California

Donna Wells

Chris Hall

6 South Fork Edisto River

l

South Carolina

THREAT: Outdated dam

THREAT: Excessive water withdrawals

AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat

AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat, recreation,

and public safety

San Francisquito Creek is a natural refuge in an urban setting, providing recreation opportunities for nearby communities as well as a home to rare fish and wildlife. However, Stanford University’s 65-foot Searsville Dam blocks threatened steelhead from reaching 20 miles of habitat upstream, impairs water quality, and poses flooding risks for local communities. It is time for Stanford to remove this obsolete dam to restore the health of the creek and secure the safety of its communities. 1

and water quality

The Edisto River is one of South Carolina’s most iconic rivers for paddlers and outdoor enthusiasts. However, excessive agriculture withdrawals can take up to 35 percent of the river’s flow during summer months, threatening river health and downstream water users, including other farmers. The legislature must amend state law to create fairness among all water users and ensure enough water stays in the river to protect river health.

Take Action at www.AmericanRivers.org/EndangeredRivers

5

White River

7

l

Colorado

THREAT: Oil and gas development AT RISK: Fish and wildlife habitat

and drinking water supplies

The White River is one of Colorado’s hidden gems, home to abundant fish and wildlife, and providing excellent fishing, boating, and other recreational opportunities.

However, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to allow 15,000 new oil and gas wells in the region, which threatens to industrialize this remote and beautiful area and ruin clean water and wildlife habitat. The BLM must instead act to protect the White River and balance new development with conserving the area’s unique wild values for future generations. 1

WHITE RIVER, CO

8 White River

l

outdoorPDK

Washington

THREAT: Outdated dam and fish

passage facilities AT RISK: Salmon, steelhead, and

bull trout populations Washington’s White River is a haven for salmon and steelhead, iconic fish treasured by tribes and recreational anglers. However, these fish are blocked by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Mud Mountain Dam and are often killed at its unsafe and outdated fish collection facility at the Buckley Diversion Dam a few miles downstream. To protect salmon and steelhead runs which are critical to river health, the Corps must pledge to design and implement a new state-of-the-art fish passage system by 2017.

WHITE RIVER, WA

6

Eric Marner

America’s Most Endangered Rivers

9 Haw River

North Carolina THREAT: Polluted runoff AT RISK: Clean water and

public health

The Haw River is an important resource for more than a million people providing drinking water and recreation in central North Carolina. Unfortunately, rollbacks of rules designed to address water pollution threaten the health of local residents and fish and wildlife. The North Carolina legislature must act to clean up this important river in order to protect the water supply and a key recreational resource for major cities in North Carolina.

HAW RIVER, NC

Haw River Assembly

10 Clearwater/Lochsa Rivers

Idaho THREAT: Industrialization of a

Wild and Scenic River corridor AT RISK: Scenery, solitude, world-

class recreational values The Middle Fork Clearwater River and one of its main tributaries, the Lochsa River, were among America’s first rivers to be designated under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Home to the Nez Perce Tribe and rich in early American history, these rivers are cherished by anglers and paddlers for their thriving coldwater fisheries, thrilling whitewater, and spectacular scenery. In stark conflict with these values, the energy industry wants to use the rural highway paralleling these rivers to transport megaloads of industrial equipment bound for the Canadian tar sands.

The U.S. Forest Service must ban the shipment of these megaloads from this corridor to protect the rivers’ unique Wild and Scenic character.

CLEARWATER/LOCHSA RIVERS, ID

Take Action at www.AmericanRivers.org/EndangeredRivers

Roger Inghram

7

BRISTOL BAY, AK

Bob Waldrop

Progress on a Most Endangered River Your advocacy and support makes an impact!

In February, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it is taking steps to protect the rivers of Bristol Bay, which support the world’s largest sockeye salmon run along with grizzly bears and other wildlife. American Rivers named the rivers of Bristol Bay among America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2011 because of the threat posed by a massive copper mine. It is good news that the EPA is listening to you and the hundreds of thousands of other citizens who have spoken up against the mine, and we will continue fighting to safeguard these pristine waters.

America’s Most Endangered Rivers 2014 Edition is sponsored in part by The Orvis Company.

The 2014 edition is made possible with generous funding from the Margaret T. Biddle Foundation.

www.AmericanRivers.org Facebook.com/AmericanRivers @AmericanRivers

Take Action at www.AmericanRivers.org/EndangeredRivers

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Printed with vegetable inks on paper that is

55% recycled and contains 30% post-consumer recycled fiber.

YOUR

LEARN MORE AT www.AmericanRivers.org/YourRegion

SUPPORT GREAT LAKES n American Rivers continues to promote innovative, cost-effective solutions to manage polluted runoff from buildings, streets, and parking lots.

We helped plan and present a symposium in Michigan with individuals from the private and public sectors to explain the benefits of green roofs – rooftops planted with vegetation to absorb and filter rainfall. We will present green roof recommendations to the City of Grand Rapids by the end of this year to help the city improve water quality. American Rivers is also leading a task force in Toledo, OH to develop regional goals to reduce polluted runoff and improve water quality.

NORTHERN ROCKIES n A new poll commissioned by Montanans for Healthy Rivers, a coalition including American Rivers and our partners, found that 85 percent of Montanans think that clean and healthy rivers are very important or

AT WORK

extremely important to Montana’s economy and way of life. The results bolster our efforts to secure new river protections in Montana, especially new Wild and Scenic River designations. Visit http://healthyriversmt.org to learn more.

NORTHWEST n Is a waterfall still a waterfall if there’s no water flowing over it anymore? We don’t think so. That is why American Rivers and Idaho Rivers United helped put a stop to Idaho Power’s plans to dramatically reduce flows over the 130-foot Twin Falls on the Snake River. Thanks to our efforts, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ruled that the private economic benefit that Idaho Power would enjoy by completely diverting the river at its Twin Falls Project does not outweigh the tourism and recreation benefits provided by the falls, not to mention the fundamental opportunity for the public to enjoy this special place.

SNAKE RIVER TWIN FALLS, ID

KEVIN LEWIS

SOUTHWEST n American Rivers is working with local partners to improve recreation and protect riverside land through the creation of a Blue Trail on the Eagle River in Colorado. A Blue Trail is a river adopted by communities that are dedicated to improving familyfriendly recreation such as fishing, boating, and wildlife-watching, and to conserving riverside land. They are voluntary, locally led efforts that improve community quality of life.

As a tributary to the Upper Colorado River, the Eagle provides important wildlife habitat and opportunities for fishing and boating. We are gathering input from landowners, anglers, business owners, and other local citizens to ensure the Eagle River Blue Trail serves the community and is an asset for generations to come.

DamNation film spurs dialogue about dam removal

UPPER COLORADO RIVER, CO

BRETT HOCKMUTH

DamNation is a new award-winning film that examines efforts to restore rivers through dam removal. Featuring rivers such as the Elwha, White Salmon, and Penobscot, the film was produced by Patagonia, Felt Soul Media, and Stoecker Ecological. Drawing on our decades of dam removal expertise, American Rivers developed a guide to go with the film. Learn more and get river restoration tips and tools at www.AmericanRivers.org/DamNationFilm

1101 14th Street, NW, Suite 1400 Washington, DC 20005 877-347-7550 www.AmericanRivers.org

Facebook.com/AmericanRivers @AmericanRivers

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 200,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.

To receive your newsletter electronically, go to AmericanRivers.org/newsletter

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Printed with vegetable inks on paper that is 55% recycled and contains 30% post-consumer recycled fiber.

Explore the Colorado River in Google Maps Street View!

More than 85,000 volunteers cleaned more than 3 million pounds of trash out of our rivers and streams last year.

We are always looking for innovative ways to help people connect and interact with rivers.

That’s why we teamed up with Google to add the Colorado River through the entire Grand Canyon into Google Maps Street View. Now you can immerse yourself in full 360-degree photos through all the rapids and canyons. Explore, get inspired and take action to save this special place!

Find a cleanup near you or organize your own at

www.AmericanRivers.org/Cleanup Jump in at www.AmericanRivers.org/StreetView