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“Water trail janitors” keep rivers clean

Posted on May 7, 2008 | Filed Under Blue Trails, Great Lakes, River Heritage

Jamie Mierau, Director
Blue Trails, River Heritage

A new program called Illinois Water TrailKeepers is now providing stewardship of local water trails. TrailKeepers, a joint project of Illinois Paddling Council and Openlands, is creating a corps of stewards for designated water trails in Illinois. Mirroring other groups which turn their passion for the outdoors into hands-on care for it, Openlands is sponsoring “Reach Stewards,” who will adopt a section of a water trail much like the successful Adopt-A-Highway programs that help take care of roadways throughout the nation.

Monitoring and reporting conditions, including any log jams or other obstacles to recreation along it, the Reach Stewards will be the eyes and ears of the agencies entrusted with the management of our waterways. Often, they will be the helping hands as well.

The initial program will include seven waterways in nine counties, totaling 350 miles of rivers, including the Fox, Kishwaukee, and DuPage rivers. Instream maintenance teams will literally be “water trail janitors” who will maintain water trails on smaller streams by clearing obstructions and hazards in a safe and environmentally sensitive way.

This is an exciting program that I hope will be replicated in other states and regions.

Two Outstanding Rivers You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Posted on April 28, 2008 | Filed Under Northeast, River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

David Moryc, Director
River Heritage Campaign, Go Wild!

Last Wednesday Chris O’Shea of the Missisquoi River Basin Association testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands (I think we need a rivers and waters committee) on behalf of the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers in Vermont. U.S. Rep. Welch has introduced a bill that asks the National Park Service to study these rivers for Wild and Scenic status. We are hopeful we’ll se this happen this year as a part of our 40×40 Campaign. I hope to paddle and fish these rivers someday but until then I think Chris’ story about them in his testimony below is the next best thing.

“Good morning. On behalf of the deer, moose, ospreys, beavers, brown trout, loons, brown bears, bobcats, beavers, foxes, bald eagles, snapping turtles, fisher cats, porcupines, mink, ravens, muskrats, coyotes, geese, herons, owls, river otters, and the good people of the ten communities that lie along the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers, I thank you for hearing this testimony on why these two rivers are worthy of study by the National Park Service for possible inclusion in the Wild & Scenic program.”

“Where these rivers run there are no shopping malls, no big box stores, no multiplexes, no four-lane highways, no gated communities, no stoplights. What’s there, is open spaces of forests and fields, beautiful four-season open space that stretches from Lake Champlain to the Green Mountains and beyond. The defining factor in all that open space is the Missisquoi River, it’s broad flood plain lending itself to agriculture from the time of the Abenakis to the days of Agrimark. In summer it’s a ribbon of green, in winter a frozen white wonder. If you love to hunt or fish, skate or swim, paddle or pedal, you will love where these rivers run.”

“The Missisquoi, the name comes from the Abenaki term for crooked river, is one of the last watersheds remaining in the United States that is devoted almost entirely to family dairy farming. Even within the boundaries of the villages that the river flows through you will find family farms along its fertile banks. And while many will decry agriculture as a major cause of water pollution, it is the main reason the Missisquoi and Trout Rivers are worth the time and money to preserve them and the way of life family farming offers. Agriculture and clean water can co-exist where the people are willing and the necessary funding is available.”

“There is plenty of pollution, mostly in the form of excessive phosphorous, along these rivers, as our group has documented. Missisquoi Bay, where the river empties into Lake Champlain eighty miles from its headwaters, is impaired and the current object of an over $20 million federal Clean & Clear clean-up.”

“None of the ten villages along these two rivers has more than a thousand people living in it, and most have less than five hundred. Only three have the infra-structure necessary for further economic expansion, and this is another place where the Wild & Scenic program could aid those communities with both guidance and funding.”

“Why, you may ask, seek Wild & Scenic status for a place that is already wild and scenic? Because we want to keep it that way and without the ways and means to hold off the forces of urbanization, the greater Missisquoi Valley will eventually look just like everywhere else. As an old dairy farmer said to me recently: you know, we’re a place that can still pretty much feed it’s own, and I do believe that’s worth something to somebody.”

“Already we are seeing market forces eroding the family farms. Go big or get out is the mantra too often heard. Or go small and organic. The river flows to the sea, the milk to market, and the money to the agri-giants. If by preserving the river we can preserve the families living along it, then we will have made government that is truly of, by, and for the people.

It is these family farms that provide easy access to the river, whether you want to fish, swim, paddle, or ride your bike along the rail trail. Some of the best flatwater paddling in New England can be found on the upper reaches of the Missisquoi and the Trout is a place where a fly-fisherman can have a pool to him or herself on a Saturday morning. Big Falls will make you afraid of the river, Green River Farm will make you want to jump in it.”

“Why include the Trout River in this study? Although the Trout is much smaller, it should be included in the study as well because it is largely a microcosm of the greater Missisquoi, deep pools, shallow runs, open farm meadows, hard and softwood forests. If our studies reveal that the Missisquoi is not suitable for designation, we are quite certain that the Trout will be. And if both make the grade, as any brother and sister should, it’s a good day for the wild life.”

“Another unique factor in this designation is that the Missisquoi flows north into Quebec for fifteen miles and then turns back south into Vermont in the town of Richford. Already our Canadian friends have asked about what kind of possible joint venture this wild & scenic designation sets up between our two countries. In an era of growing fear and loathing along our borders, leave it to a great river to calm troubled waters.”

“As the river changes its flow with each new spring, so too must we change to keep it clean and healthy. We are not fighting change here, only trying to channel it in a direction that benefits the river and the living beings along its banks. It may not happen in my lifetime, but my childrens’ time a glass of clean water will become far more valuable than a barrel of crude oil. Please help us leave our children those healthy waters .”

“Thank you for your time.”

Chris O’Shea
Missisquoi River Basin Association

Worried about the economy? Protect rivers and enjoy them.

Posted on April 21, 2008 | Filed Under Blue Trails, River Heritage

Jamie Mierau, Director
River Heritage, Blue Trails

People get the connection. Healthy rivers are valuable community assets. They provide an array of benefits to communities. Not only are they good for recreation, they are good for the economy too. In fact, they provide countless opportunities for economic renewal and growth. Take a look at Ed’s The River Less Traveled blog. He sums it up well.

Pop quiz: will a canoe made of 7000 chopsticks float?

Posted on April 14, 2008 | Filed Under Blue Trails, River Heritage, Stories

Jamie Mierau, Director
River Heritage, Blue Trails

Bothered that perfectly good wood was going to waste after a single use, Shuhei Ogawara - whose job at city hall involved working with the local forestry industry - spent the last two years collecting 7,382 used chopsticks from the cafeteria. It took him three months to build this 13-foot long, 66-pound canoe. It’s heavier than a regular canoe, so he doesn’t know if it’s going to float. But he’ll find out in May when he launches his canoe for the first time. Will his canoe float or sink? Gizmodo’s Jesus Diaz posted a quick poll to see what you think, take a look and vote now.

Our latest Wild and Scenic River on its way to passage!

Posted on April 11, 2008 | Filed Under River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

David Moryc, Director
River Heritage Campaign, Go Wild!

Great news from the nation’s capitol. Late on Wednesday the U.S. Senate voted 91-4 for Wild and Scenic River protection for the Eightmile River in Connecticut as a part of a larger public lands bill. We are confident that the U.S. House will also pass this bill and it will be signed into law by the President.

The Eightmile River watershed lies in the largest unfragmented forest region in coastal Connecticut and its scenic beauty, historic character, abundant fisheries and myriad wildlife serve as a tremendous source of pride for the folks in the communities along its banks.

Thanks to all of the folks who worked so hard on this, but particularly Tony Irving and Damon Hearne at the Eightmile River Wild and Scenic Coordinating Committee. Props to Nathan Frohling at the Nature Conservancy and American Rivers’ own Jamie Mierau too.

Equally as important this breaks the long jam that had formed in the Senate blocking public rivers and lands bills and frees up room for our 13 other Wild and Scenic bills to move forward!! Much work is left to be done but this is a great day!

New York unveils network of kayak and canoe launches

Posted on April 7, 2008 | Filed Under Blue Trails, Northeast, River Heritage

Jamie Mierau, Director
River Heritage, Blue Trails

Communitie s everywhere are rediscovering their rivers through blue trails and other river recreation. New York City adds its name to the list.

amNew York (NY) March 27: Parks officials hoping to promote public access to one of the city’s least-used recreational zones - its waterways - have created its first formal network of kayak and canoe launches. Dubbed the New York City Water Trail, the 28 small boat ramps are sprinkled along the shorelines of all five boroughs, in places as remote as marshlands within the Idlewild Park Preserve in Queens and as bustling as the six piers along the Hudson River in Manhattan.

Six hotspots for protecting the Northwest’s wild rivers

Posted on April 3, 2008 | Filed Under Northwest, River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

Amy Kober
Northwest Outreach & Communications Director

Spring has arrived in Seattle, and in addition to blooming salmonberry and longer days, that means summer river trip planning is underway! Every year our Northwest staff, along with friends, partners and spouses get together for a trip. We had a great time on the Salmon last year. This year we’re heading to the Grande Ronde. (The Salmon and the Ronde are just two of the region’s many Wild and Scenic rivers.)

This year, 2008, is the 40th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. American Rivers was founded 35 years ago to protect more of our nation’s best, free-flowing rivers as Wild and Scenic, and in this anniversary year we’re rededicating ourselves to saving wild rivers from new dams and other harmful development.

Our Northwest office just published a short report, outlining our work to designate new Wild and Scenic rivers in six key areas:

Washington –

North Cascades
Volcano Country
Olympic Peninsula

Oregon –

Great rivers of Mount Hood
Wild Rogue and Kalmiopsis
John Day River

Find out more about the rivers we’re working to protect: There’s something special about a wild river (PDF)

You can also view the interactive version.

Paddling for a purpose

Posted on April 2, 2008 | Filed Under Blue Trails, Clean Water, Events, River Heritage, Stories

Jamie Mierau, Director
River Heritage, Blue Trails

KUAM (Guam) - March 24: One couple has made a three-year commitment to promoting clean water awareness. Whether by foot or by kayak, Beachwalk Project is taking Bob and Evelyn Weinman around coastlines on the U.S. mainland to raise awareness for the protection of everyone’s right to clean water.

During two and a half weeks this month the pair is making their way around Guam, with the first part of their paddling tour here having taken place this past weekend during the East Side Relay put on by the Guam Kayak and Canoe Federation. Guam is the second stop on the Weinmans’ journey. Last summer they traveled 1,600 miles up the Atlantic Coastline from Miami to Manhattan Island.

I’m a Self-Interested Conservationist at Heart

Posted on March 24, 2008 | Filed Under River Heritage, Wild and Scenic

David Moryc, Director
River Heritage Campaign, Go Wild!

I admit it. I’m a self-interested conservationist. My love of fishing, whitewater boating and simply put, enjoying the joy brought by rivers. My desire to learn about everything from the life cycles of fish and wildlife, how, when and why aquatic bugs hatch, and the power of a river at flood stage to both destroy and create are all expressions of my self-interest.

I admit it. This self-interest led me down a path to want to passionately protect rivers. Sometimes it’s alright to do the right thing for the wrong reason. After eight years on this path for American Rivers in the Pacific Northwest, I was recently asked to take over as Director of our Go Wild! Initiative, which not only has the pithiest campaign name at American Rivers but strives to protect our most outstanding rivers nationwide.

We use tools like the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the Clean Water Act. I feel privileged to take over this initiative because it is at the core of why American Rivers was founded 35 years ago this week, to take a stand and say some rivers are just too valuable and too beautiful to destroy.

We’ve come a long way in the past four decades, major obsolete dams are being removed such as Marmot Dam (watch the YouTube below) in Oregon and Milltown in Montana (Denver Post article), but unfortunately there is a wave of new threats to our best rivers nationwide.

New dams are on the drawing board (Divide Develops Over Dam). Logging proposals in our most cherished watersheds are in the pipeline (learn more: Save the Wild Rogue). Once again we need to stand up and say some rivers are just too valuable and beautiful to destroy.

Daydreaming of a spring paddle

Posted on March 24, 2008 | Filed Under Blue Trails, River Heritage

Jamie Mierau, Director
River Heritage, Blue Trails

Thank goodness spring is here! Unfortunately, here in Washington, like most places around the country, it’s still too cold to get on the water. As the days grow longer and warmer, I find myself daydreaming of the great paddle adventures I had last season.

The first that come to mind - a stewardship trip on the Northern Forest Canoe Trail in New Hampshire and Vermont; the inaugural paddle of the Congaree River Blue Trail in South Carolina, American Rivers’ first blue trail; an exploration of Thompson Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay, home to the Captain John Smith Water Trail, the nations first National Historic Water Trail.

I’ve already begun plotting my adventures for this season and I’m looking forward to exploring new areas of the country - Arkansas, Ohio, and Washington State.

Mostly, I’m looking forward to lazy afternoons on my hometown river, the Potomac. I’m continually amazed by the wildlife and quiet one can find in the heart of the nation’s capital. Families of turtles sunning themselves on rocks, Great Blue Heron wading for a snack, the sound of my paddle in the water.

My hometown river is truly a gem - and the great thing is that gems just like it exist in your backyard too. Your gem may be bigger or smaller, faster or slower, but it’s a gem nonetheless.

What adventures do you have planned this summer?

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