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FREE stormwater friendly landscaping enhancements

Posted on September 28, 2007 | Filed Under Green Infrastructure, Mid-Atlantic, Rain Gardens, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

I’m not a handyman. Or, for that matter, particularly well equipped to fix household stuff. I know that, and my wife knows that, but it’s still not enough to stop me from trying. A fault I guess.

So, we recently bought a new home in Washington, DC, that needed a massive makeover. And, yes, you’re correct, it’s indeed a strange combination with the disclosure above, but this is where my stereotypical “man” tendencies really kick in. I love the challenge.

Despite having given up on ladders in high school due to a slight miscalculation that left me with a few stitches on my head as well as the fact that my last five home projects had to be saved by speed-dial pros, I still felt the desire to fix something.

That’s when I saw a great opportunity to combine my home renovation project with a very cool program from DC’s department of environment -

The District Department of Environment (DDOE) is soliciting applications from DC homeowners for FREE stormwater friendly landscaping enhancements to be installed in their yards. DDOE is looking to fund projects that will demonstrate ways to reduce river and stream pollution.

Excellent, I got to “fix” something while not risking injury or further damage. And the best part, the District would pay for our landscaping to help curb stormwater runoff in the Potomac, Anacostia and Rock Creek.

Seemed like a no brainer, so I applied.

The stormwater friendly landscaping demonstration program seemed like it would be a great fit: get all of the work satisfaction without the pain, frustration and recurring return trips to Home Depot (though I actually enjoy that part).

Well, a month went by and I didn’t hear a word.

Then, just last night, I got the news…I didn’t make the cut.

George S. Hawkins, Director of the District Department of the Environment, emailed me this -

Dear homeowner, ….Due to the great press coverage, we had an overwhelming response from homeowners throughout the District of Columbia. We received over 300 applications for only eight demonstration sites. Unfortunately your site was not among the eight selected for the program, but we do have two pieces of good news!

Okay, completely a bummer as I was psyched to install rain barrels, rain gardens and a bayscape approach to our front and back yard; but the good news?

1) These demonstration sites are the first step of a new city-wide program that DDOE will roll out next spring. Through this program that we are calling “Green Yards, Clean Streams” we will offer incentives to homeowners to adopt the same stormwater treatment technologies you applied for through the demonstration site program.

2) You don’t have to wait until next spring to get started. Through a partnership with Casey Trees you are eligible for a free shade tree for your yard! …[or] a free garden bag full of useful tools and information or reducing pesticide and fertilizer use!

Not a bad second place prize, good on ya District Department of the Environment.

Tracking a dam’s removal

Posted on September 28, 2007 | Filed Under Dam Removal, Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, River Renewal

Serena McClain, Associate Director of River Renewal
River Renewal, Restoring Rivers

While the Northwest is booming with the removal of larger scale dams like the Marmot Dam and the pending removal of Elwha, Glines Canyon and the Condit Dam, several smaller dams have been coming down across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic over the past couple of months, not the least of which is the McCoy-Linn Dam on Spring Creek in Pennsylvania.

The 14-foot high McCoy-Linn Dam had seen better days and was removed in order to restore the coldwater fishery and create a recreation destination for the towns of Bellefonte and Milesburg. Funds from American Rivers’ Free Flowing Pennsylvania grant program, along with several other sources of funding, will allow for restored stream habitat, natural biodiversity, and ecosystem function; improved water quality; and decreased trapped sediment to augment the stream channel and floodplain.

Even cooler (if you’re a river geek like we are) is the fact there is going to be monitoring at this dam site during all stages (before, during and after) of the project to assess the project’s impacts to water quality. It is believed that, by removing a dam and restoring a stream’s natural processes, water quality can also be improved. To track the progress of the McCoy-Linn Dam removal and to learn more about the process involved in removing a dam (at least this one), visit the ClearWater Conservancy’s site for an awesome play-by-play.

The movement for the conservation of wildlife… — Theodore Roosevelt

Posted on September 28, 2007 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“The movement for the conservation of wildlife and the larger movement for the conservation of all our natural resources are essentially democratic in spirit, purpose and method.” — Theodore Roosevelt

*Of the 1200 species listed as threatened or endangered, 50% depend on rivers and streams. More River Facts

River Quotes are posted weekday mornings. Want to see your favorite river quote here? Email it to lmartin@AmericanRivers.org.

4th annual River Action Day a success

Posted on September 27, 2007 | Filed Under Events, Outreach, Sewage, Wild and Scenic

Chelsea Lane-Miller, Associate Director of Outreach
Outreach Events and Activities

This past Tuesday, September 25th, American Rivers hosted the fourth annual River Action Day. We wanted to give you a quick recap of the day’s events:

72 river activists made it to town from all over the country, 28 states in all, including the District of Columbia.

4 VIPs attended the event including Major Tony Gioia of Camp Verde, AZ; microbiologist Dr. Joan Rose from Michigan State (who also delivered our keynote speech at Monday’s training); Chief Calleen Siske-Franco of the Winnemem-Wintu Tribe of Northern California; and American Rivers board member Rick Holten.

Activists and staff went on more than 174 scheduled Hill visits, including 24 meetings with Members of Congress. The final tally is probably closer to 200 including drop-by visits.

7 Members of Congress attended our reception in the Capitol including our three awardees Representatives Bishop (D-NY), LoBiondo (R-NJ), and Dicks (D-WA). Representatives Carney (D-PA), Petri (R-WI), Coble (R-NC), and Atkin (R-MO) also stopped by for a drink.

6 new cosponsors joined the Sewage Right-to-Know bill by the end of Tuesday as a DIRECT result of lobbying by our activists. The bill is now scheduled for a hearing in the House on October 16th.

Rep. Myrick (R-NC) co-sponsored the Perquimans Wild and Scenic study bill, giving it bipartisan support.

The Vermont delegation introduced legislation to study the Missisquoi River for Wild and Scenic designation.

And, finally, Sen. McCain (R-AZ) began pressing for the Senate to move his bill and designate Fossil Creek as a Wild and Scenic River.

American Rivers wants to thank all River Action Day participants for speaking out for healthy rivers at this year’s River Action Day. Check out this blog for even more information on the event.

It is pleasant to have been to a place the way a river went. — Henry David Thoreau

Posted on September 27, 2007 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“It is pleasant to have been to a place the way a river went.” — Henry David Thoreau

*Earlier this month, several American Rivers staff members and friends traveled to Ohiopyle, PA for a trip down the Lower Youghiogheny River. More

River Quotes are posted weekday mornings. Want to see your favorite river quote here? Email it to lmartin@AmericanRivers.org.

American Rivers goes to the Yough

Posted on September 26, 2007 | Filed Under Events, Mid-Atlantic, Outreach, Stories

Chelsea Lane-Miller, Associate Director of Outreach
Outreach Events and Activities

A few weekends ago, several American Rivers staff members and friends traveled to Ohiopyle, PA for a trip down the Lower Youghiogheny River. What a beautiful place!

Many of us came up on Saturday, and got to watch the Falls Race — the one day a year that they open up the Ohiopyle Falls for kayakers to go over. Our own Brad DeVries went over. Nice line, Brad!

Pretty crazy if you ask me — apparently there is one guy who goes over standing up. My favorite was when someone would go over and the guy with the loud speaker would say, “Another mystery move there.” I was thinking, how much of a mystery can it be? They start at the top and then they end up at the bottom. Gravity isn’t all that mysterious, is it? More mysterious to me is why someone would do this in the first place.

The next day, we rented rafts from Wilderness Voyageurs, an excellent outfitter right in town (they have a cute coffee stand outside, and lots of fun outdoorsy gear as well). We had two rafts and two kayaks as we traveled down the river.

The water was at a perfect level, which meant it wasn’t a parking lot — definitely a good thing! The weather was just warm enough that we weren’t cold, and we stopped for a lovely lunch on a rock in the sun.

It wasn’t my first time on the river, but it was just as lovely and special because my brother and sister came out from Colorado for the trip.

It’s really a fantastic place, and if you’re not into getting on the river, you can bike, and also visit the two Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the area: Kentuck Knob and Falling Water. I haven’t done that yet, which means I’ll have to go back again!

Children of a culture born in a water-rich environment… — William Ashworth

Posted on September 26, 2007 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“Children of a culture born in a water-rich environment, we have never really learned how important water is to us. We understand it, but we don’t respect it.” — William Ashworth

Next week, American Rivers will announce a new partnership with Tom’s of Maine and River Network at kick-off events in San Francisco and Portland. More

River Quotes are posted weekday mornings. Want to see your favorite river quote here? Email it to lmartin@AmericanRivers.org.

Meet Tom, of Tom’s of Maine, and celebrate our new partnership!

Posted on September 25, 2007 | Filed Under California, Events, Northwest

Amy Kober
Northwest Outreach & Communications Director

What’s your favorite Tom’s of Maine natural toothpaste? (I’m partial to cinnamon…)

As a Tom’s of Maine fan, I’m personally excited about a new partnership we’ll be announcing next week. (But here’s a sneak peak, with an invitation to the kick-off events in San Francisco and Portland!)

The Rivers Awareness Partnership(TM) is an exciting new partnership between Tom’s of Maine, American Rivers and River Network.

Tom’s of Maine is generously providing $1 million in support over five years to our organizations to enhance awareness, understanding and, ultimately, protection of rivers nationwide.

I hope you will join us at these events in San Francisco and Portland (times and locations below), as we kick-off this exciting partnership!

Here’s your chance to meet Tom and Kate Chappell, the co-founders of Tom’s of Maine, and staff from American Rivers and River Network. Learn about the wonderful natural products from Tom’s of Maine and get free samples!

San Francisco, California:

1) Store event at Elephant Pharmacy (Los Altos)
When: Monday, October 1, 4:30-6pm
Where: Elephant Pharmacy, Los Altos, 4470 El Camino Real
Phone: 650-472-6800

2) Store event at Elephant Pharmacy (Walnut Creek)
When: Tuesday, October 2, 4:30-6pm
Where: Elephant Pharmacy, Walnut Creek, 1388 S. California Blvd
Phone: 925-658-5300

Portland, Oregon:

1) Store event at New Seasons Market

When: Friday, October 5, 4:00 to 6:00pm
Where: New Seasons Market, Arbor Lodge, 6400 N Interstate Ave, Portland
Phone: 503-467-4777

Hope to see you at these events!

Activism is my rent for living on this planet. — Alice Walker

Posted on September 25, 2007 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“Activism is my rent for living on this planet.” — Alice Walker

* Today, as part of River Action Day, advocates from across the country are meeting with their Members of Congress about the need for healthy rivers in our communities. Join these river advocates in urging your Senator to cosponsor the Sewage Overflow Right-to-Know Act today. Act now

River Quotes are posted weekday mornings. Want to see your favorite river quote here? Email it to lmartin@AmericanRivers.org.

Great Lakes - Healing Our Waters Conference

Posted on September 24, 2007 | Filed Under Clean Water, Great Lakes, Green Infrastructure, Healthy Waters, Rain Gardens

Gary Belan, Director of Healthy Waters Campaign
Healthy Waters, Catching the Rain

Much of the work I do on green infrastructure, rain gardens and the like, takes place in the Great Lakes, one of our countries greatest natural treasures. In fact, the Great Lakes are a world treasure, as they hold 20% of the worlds fresh water. American Rivers is particularly interested in the lakes, as numerous rivers act as tributaries to the lakes. In fact, we are a steering committee member of the Healing Our Waters coalition. Oh, and check out coalition’s main website, Healthy Lakes.org; there is a lot of good information and interesting discussion here on the Great Lakes.

To the point, on September 6, 7 and 8 I attended the HOW coalition’s annual conference- this year in Chicago. The conference was a great event to meet up and discuss Great Lakes issues - like global warming, invasive species and stormwater pollution - with my fellow activists. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois spoke, as did Congressman Rahm Emanuel and many other activists and experts. So if you’re a river activist in the Great Lakes watershed, check out these links and get involved; there are many issues in the region that need to be addressed. Many of us are working hard to protect and restore the Great Lakes, but we can’t do it without help. Remember, the Great Lakesand the rivers that flow into themare an irreplaceable treasure for us and our children.

Check out the pictures I took of the skyline from Lake Michigan as well as a view from Millenium Park, where there is a large garden filled with native prairie plants.

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