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Where Has All the Money Gone?

Posted on February 29, 2008 | Filed Under Clean Water, Green Infrastructure, Healthy Waters

Katherine Baer, Director
Healthy Waters Campaign

Guess how much money is needed to fix our crumbling water infrastructure? Now guess higher. The Environmental Protection Agency’s now estimates that we need over $202 billion to fix sewer and storm water systems to meet Clean Water Act goals. Guess how much money the President proposed in his budget for clean water. $555 million - talk about fuzzy math…

The decline in funding for clean water infrastructure is felt all over the country as we’ve documented on our Act for Healthy Rivers site with more and more sewage spilling from old pipes into our local streams and rivers. We need more money at the local, state, and federal levels and it must be better spent, as American Rivers president Rebecca Wodder pointed out recently in the San Francisco Chronicle:

We can stretch those [federal] dollars even further with smart storm water management techniques such as rain gardens, permeable surfaces and by protecting our wetlands. These proven approaches capture rainwater before it becomes a problem, instead of allowing it to overwhelm the system and threaten public health and safety

Green infrastructure approaches are gathering momentum and create jobs that cannot be exported. Hopefully, this will be combined with the increased recognition that failing infrastructure is a national problem that will only worsen in the face of global warming forcing us to make smart investments in our water infrastructure for the future. Instead of promoting sprawl and creating more problems (as documented in a new report by Environmental Advocates of New York), federal money should be used to fix existing problems and fund infrastrcuture that can best adapt to emerging ones. As the Senate looks to reauthorize the federal clean water revolving fund and a new clean water trust fund is being proposed it will be key to keep sustainability at the forefront.

Blog Round Up: February 22nd - February 29th

Posted on February 29, 2008 | Filed Under Weekly Round Up

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

I love a good joke. So when I saw this story about the on going border war with Tennessee and Georgia, I couldn’t wait to share.

Chattanooga’s mayor said sending a truckload of water to Georgia lawmakers in the throes of drought and a declaration offering a “cool wet kiss of friendship” is intended to be humorous.

My guess is this won’t be the end of this story.

The river round up for 2-22 to 2-29:

The Mad Canoeist has some paddling hot spots in Maryland.

Declare your love for tap water on the Food & Water Watch blog.

WaterWired is helping to spread the word that the Peace Corps needs experienced water and sanitation professionals.

Over at the E-Nog: The Environmental News Blog, rain barrels “rock�?.

Another great post with ways to save water at home; this time from The Sietch Blog.

I know the joy of fishes… — Zhuangzi

Posted on February 29, 2008 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“I know the joy of fishes in the river through my own joy, as I go walking along the same river.” — Zhuangzi

*Grants are currently available to help build water trails in the Mid-Atlantic Region. More

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

New Video to Help Organizers Register & Promote Cleanup

Posted on February 28, 2008 | Filed Under Cleanup, Events, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

Though registration for National River Cleanup is currently underway (100 cleanups registered to date!), we launched yesterday afternoon a screencast that explains the registration process using our new tool.

Created in partnership with OmniStudio, the “how-to�? video helps National River Cleanup organizers understand how to best use the website, promote their event and recruit volunteers to participate.

Using Convio’s Personal Events module, we are excited to offer all 2008 organizers the ability to recruit and communicate with volunteers as well as create and customize a personal web page. Interested in learning more about organizing a cleanup or volunteering at a cleanup near you? Please visit National River Cleanup to learn more, www.NationalRiverCleanup.org or www.AmericanRivers.org/Cleanup.

If you have thoughts, comments or questions, please let us know with a comment below. We value your input and hopefully, as more eyes are on this year’s event, we can continue to make improvements to the site.

18th Annual Float Fishermen of Virginia Event

Posted on February 28, 2008 | Filed Under Events, Outreach, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

I’ve always been impressed by what other American Rivers staff do in their free time. From kayak racing to bike polo to 24-hour short film competitions, I’ve learned that folks are pretty active outside of the office.

It’s always fun to learn of co-workers’ interests, and passion in many cases, outside of the work environment. And one way that I learn of outside activities is through group emails…and what better way to develop trust with your colleagues than take their email and write a blog post (don’t worry, I did ask first).

This afternoon, I received an email from Wilke Nelson, our Deputy Vice President for Resource Development, informing the office of a great event in Virginia.

Wilke, an avid boatman (how many Chesapeake Light Craft boats have you built Wilke?) and active member of the Float Fishermen of Virginia (FFV) organization, had this to say about a fun even in support of a local river:

Where can you help Virginia’s rivers, sample tasty benthic invertebrates (Louisiana crayfish), good beer, good bluegrass, good canoeing and wonderful camping all at the same time?

Why, on Saturday, April 26th at the 18th Annual Head Suckin’ at R-5 (the Float Fishermen of Virginia (FFV), Randy Carter chapter’s beautiful acreage along the Rappahannock, upstream from Fredericksburg).

Besides the music, entertainment includes trying your hand at canoeing/kayaking this beautiful stretch of river that provides both flat-water and exciting — but not too challenging — whitewater, and getting expert instruction (including my very own patented, 180 degree Eskimo roll). Friends and family are welcome, in fact, downright encouraged. Prior paddling experience is, most definitely, NOT a requirement.

All proceeds benefit the FFV’s river protection and advocacy work. Tickets are $30 per person (kids under 12 are free) and includes the cost of the feast and beverages. I am a member and will be there with my family. Hope you can come too! Let me know if you would like to go. If camping, showers (w/ hot water) and facilities are provided.

Background: The Float Fishermen of Virginia (FFV) www.floatfishermen.org is a statewide organization of canoeists, kayakers, rafters and other boaters which started in 1969. Together, we float and fish the rivers, streams and waterways of Virginia and work to preserve and protect these important natural resources.

More information: R5 - the Randy Carter Chapter of FFV’s land on the Rappahannock has great campsites, a sheltered meeting space, and easy river access. Located just below the town of Remington, the run from R5 to Kelly’s Ford is an easy shuttle, and provides a little bit of everything on the water, including Sandy Beach Rapids, a great to stop for lunch, and watch for swimmers.

He who postpones the hour… — Horace

Posted on February 28, 2008 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“He who postpones the hour of living is like the rustic who waits for the river to run out before he crosses.” — Horace

*The March 2008 issue of Sunset Magazine includes a story on the West’s rivers, featuring our own Amy Kober. More

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

Chesapeake Bay Gateways Grants Available

Posted on February 27, 2008 | Filed Under Blue Trails, Mid-Atlantic, River Heritage

Jamie Mierau, Director
River Heritage, Blue Trails

The National Park Service recently announced the Chesapeake Bay Gateways and Watertrails Network 2008 Grant Program. Priorities for the program this year are projects to implement the Captain John Smith Water Trail and enhance other water trails.

Grants may be used for a variety of Gateway projects that help people: understand the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed through its special places and stories; gain access to those places and resources; and experience conservation stewardship and be motivated to get involved.

Applicants must be non-profit organizations or local or state governments. Non-federal partners may submit grant applications for projects at any designated Gateway including those which are federally managed. Application packages must be received by noon, Monday, April 28, 2008.

Time is a sort of river… — Marcus Aurelius

Posted on February 27, 2008 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“Time is a sort of river of passing events, and strong is its current; no sooner is a thing brought to sight than it is swept by and another takes its place, and this too will be swept away.” — Marcus Aurelius

*Our River Renewal campaign brings rivers back to life. More

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

The charm of fishing… — John Buchan

Posted on February 26, 2008 | Filed Under Quotes

Lindsay Martin, Web Editor
River Quotes: Your Daily Escape

“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” — John Buchan

*Our river glossary is the first wiki (collaborative software) dedicated to river conservation. More

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

Sunset magazine feature on western rivers

Posted on February 25, 2008 | Filed Under California, Dam Removal, Global Warming, Northwest, River Heritage, River Renewal, Southwest, Water Conservation, Water Supply

Amy Kober
Northwest Outreach & Communications Director

The March 2008 issue of Sunset Magazine includes a story on the West’s rivers, featuring yours truly, and water experts from around the region.

It started back in the fall with a western water roundtable at Sunset’s office in California. They recorded the lively conversation and the magazine includes exerpts. To listen to the roundtable conversation in its entirety, click here.

The magazine also features three essays from writers Tobias Wolff (on the Skagit), Susan Orlean (on the Willamette) and Pam Houston (on the Colorado).

Kudos to Sunset for taking on such a big topic and handling it so well. I like how they include both information and inspiration, balancing the roundtable conversation with the three essays.

I hope the article helps readers appreciate our rivers a little more, and spurs some of them to take action.

Learn more: Read our Principles for Evaluating New Water Supply Projects (PDF)

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