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River Cleanups Go Big with Supersized TrashCat

Posted on April 29, 2008 | Filed Under Cleanup, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

What happens when water pollution collides with an ex-NFL defensive tackle nicknamed “The Goose”? A TrashCat^TM.

Tony Siragusa, the former Baltimore Ravens pro bowl tackle, struts his stuff in a cool video that highlights United Marine International’s TrashCat^TM (watch more UMI videos). But what’s a TrashCat^TM? Good question and like WaterCrunch, I’ve never heard of such an animal (thanks for the heads up).

A TrashCat^TM, in it’s simplest form, is a giant trash eating monster that removes all sorts of floating debris from harbors, rivers and streams, marinas, recreational lakes and hydro dams and reservoirs. Kind of cool and what a National River Cleanup^TM dream!

Though a TrashCat^TM will never replace community participation during a planned river cleanup, I wonder if a fleet of these boats could aid folks like Chad Pregracke of Living Lands and Waters or even the keepers of our water, WaterKeeper.

Help Save Endangered Rivers (and Win an iPod!)

Posted on April 21, 2008 | Filed Under Alerts, Endangered Rivers, Global Warming, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

Last Thursday, we released America’s Most Endangered Rivers™: 2008 Edition. The report is not a list of the nation’s “worst�? or most polluted rivers, but rather it highlights ten rivers confronted by decisions in the coming year that could determine their future.

Though the release of the report attracts a great deal of radio, print and online attention, the goal is far from simply garnering media attention. In fact, the media attention means very little if there are no results.

To produce results and protect these endangered rivers, we need you to take action today. Then, once you’ve taken action, we ask that you to take more action. And then, even if you’re all actioned out, we’d like to encourage you to take ONE more action - we’re greedy because our rivers depend on it.

And, to reward you for all of your many, many actions to protect endangered rivers in 2008, we’d like to give you an iPod. Well, actually, a chance to win one of three iPods (Touch, Nano and Shuffle).

All you have to do is send one of four endangered rivers eCards to your friends and family and ask them to act today to protect endangered rivers. That’s it, help spread the word and fight global warming by sending an eCard.

Contest details: Send an eCard to one person, earn one chance to win…but send an eCard to two people, earn two chances to win…send to as many people as you’d like! Only eCards sent prior to June 1, 2008 will be eligible for the iPod contest drawing. If you’re a winner, we’ll contact you by June 15th please no emails or calls to follow up.

Good intentions are no excuse for bad ideas

Posted on April 2, 2008 | Filed Under Hydropower, Northeast, River Renewal, Technology

John Seebach, Director
Hydropower Reform Initiative

About a third of my morning commute is on a great bike trail that runs from the Maryland suburbs into DC. Yesterday morning, I came up behind a guy who was riding slowly without his hands and weaving all over the trail. When I passed him, I saw the problem:

He was talking on his cell phone.

It struck me later that this was a great metaphor for some of the proposals for new energy development that have come across my desk in the past few months. The good news is that a whole lot of people are genuinely concerned about energy use and climate change, and they want to do something about it. Some try to drive less, others try to build power plants that will generate electricity without carbon emissions. The bad news is that good intentions don’t necessarily prevent reckless and selfish behavior.

Take, for example, Community Hydro, a for-profit hydropower consulting firm that focuses on small hydropower development, particularly in Vermont. At first glance, this might sound like a reasonable idea: Vermont has a lot of small dams that no longer really serve a useful purpose. Those dams can generate electricity without significant carbon emissions. What could go wrong?

Plenty. Leaving aside for the moment hydropower’s serious environmental impacts, there’s a reason why many of these sites haven’t been developed before: they won’t make money. It ain’t cheap to build a hydropower project, let alone maintain it for decades. At a larger dam, this is less of a problem: owners can generate more than enough energy - and income - to cover these costs. Many small hydropower dams barely produce enough power to stay afloat. All it takes is one mishap - a failed turbine, flood damage, a utility that wants to renegotiate a power contract, or an unsafe dam that needs repairs - to send a small hydropower project deep into the red.

If - like Community Hydro - you happen to be in the business of consulting with people who want to develop hydropower projects, this presents a problem. With most of the good sites already taken, how can you make bad sites worth developing? Skimping on generating equipment won’t save you any money in the long run, and cutting corners on dam safety is (I hope) a non-starter. Instead, Community Hydro is following in the time-honored tradition of energy developers everywhere (the same tradition, I might add, that got us into this climate mess in the first place): change the rules for protecting the environment so that they don’t apply to your business.

What rules? Simple: for hydropower operators, water is money. Most hydropower dams need to divert some water from the river into a canal or pipe that leads to a powerhouse downstream - often miles downstream - in order to get the most power out of the river. For a river, however, this water is life: if a dam owner takes too much water, the river runs dry. Over the years, state and federal governments have passed a number of environmental laws that balance the need for power production with the need for rivers to have water. When a dam owner receives permission to generate hydropower, it is conditional permission. Because rivers are a public trust resource (i.e. they belong to all of us) dam owners are also required to leave enough water in the river to protect fish, wildlife, and recreational uses like swimming, fishing, and boating.

This is exactly the point of “renewable” energy: we take energy without depleting the resource that provides us with it. It may make sense to add hydropower to some existing dams in Vermont. But if other sites won’t work unless we throw basic environmental standards out the window first, then they shouldn’t be developed.

Earlier this year, Community Hydro lobbied Vermont’s legislature for a bill that would have allowed the owners of small hydropower projects to take more than their fair share of water. Had the law passed (it didn’t, thankfully) many of Vermont’s rivers would have been deprived of their water. It would have been perfectly acceptable for a hydro operator to leave some rivers in a permanent state of severe drought. On other rivers, dam owners would be allowed cut flows to winter low-water levels during the critical spring season just when fish need higher water to spawn and rear their young. That’s hardly “green” energy.

With so many new and innovative renewable energy technologies being developed today, gutting environmental protections to make a 19th-century technology like small hydropower more profitable is both reckless and selfish. Arguing that small hydro should be exempt from environmental standards because it is “environmentally friendly” is like arguing that a particular model of car shouldn’t come equipped with air bags and seat belts because it has a solid crash-test rating. Especially if the person making the argument is trying to sell you the car.

The Things I Learn from Watching the Colbert Report

Posted on March 26, 2008 | Filed Under Events, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

One of the cooler aspects of living in Washington, DC, is definitely the museums.

I suspect there is not a person in town who feels otherwise. From the 19 Smithsonian museums to the International Spy Museum to the obscure lobsterdom monument, our nation’s capital has it all.

So, having said all that, I’m sure you can only imagine my guilt for not actually taking better advantage of DC’s historical attractions (and most are free too). Yes, it’s a shame, and a known deficiency that I’m working on.

Well, to add insult to injury, I learned last night - from the Colbert Report of all places - that our very own American Museum of Natural History was showcasing an exhibit called “Water: H2O = Life“. Grant it, I can be pretty slow on the uptake, but how did I miss this one (fist in air: darn you City Paper!)?

I know, I must go…and I will, but has anyone already been? Well, if you haven’t and are in town visiting or just live here and need an afternoon out, please let me know.

Btw, this was the second time in recent months that Stephen Colbert was town. If you haven’t seen the National Portrait Gallery’s video on the Colbert portrait hanging in the museum you’re missing out.

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.

New Washington Redskins Coach is a Whitewater Kayaker

Posted on February 15, 2008 | Filed Under Mid-Atlantic, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

First and foremost, I’m a Ravens fan. And, unfortunately, an Orioles fan too.

I can’t help it, but I like hard crabs on a summer evening, old bay seasoning underneath my fingernails and cheap beer (preferably Natty Boh). By all means, there’s a reason why Baltimore is the charm city.

Despite my hometown affection toward the city that reads, I came across a Washington Post article that will inevitably pull me a bit closer to the nation’s professional football team, the Washington Redskins. (Btw, having Joe Gibbs back has kind of helped too)

As an ~~avid~~ ~~weekend warrior~~…okay, when work is light paddler on the Potomac River, I read this morning Dan Steinberg’s piece, Jim Zorn Whitewater Kayaks, with great interest.

Wow, a NFL head football coach who is also whitewater kayaker? If true (and who would doubt Joe Jacobi), that’s pretty cool and I couldn’t think of a better off season sport in the District than paddling.

So, Coach Zorn, when you move to the area, I’d like to offer some quick tips to help you adjust to one of the greatest park-n-plays areas in the region -

Center chute is best at 5′ and above

Paddle at sun rise to beat the crowds

During July & August it’s best to travel to higher water (or maybe focus on the upcoming season, your call)

Avoid Maryland chute’s long line by paddling over to Virginia chute

Offutt island offers no relation to my family, shucks.

Feel free to store your boat with an American Rivers staff member who lives on the river (John, you don’t mind do you?).

And, last but not least…

Paddling after a major rain storm may be some of the better water, but use caution as it’s also a time when raw sewage is dumped into the river. Yuck! To learn more about sewage pollution in the area as well as across the country, check out Act for Healthy Rivers and Katherine Baer’s blog posts on Right-to-Know legislation.

Coach Zorn, look forward to seeing the burgundy and red out on the river this spring!

Communing with nature dead? No, now get back to your Computer

Posted on February 6, 2008 | Filed Under Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

The recent study, Americans spend less time on nature activities, was forwarded to the entire organization by our conservation Vice President. And, believe it or not, the study said:

When it comes communing with nature, a growing number of people appear to prefer computer images to the real thing

But before it goes any further and you decide to shut down your eRiver Community desktop wallpaper, forever dismiss those American Rivers action alerts and/or put an end to viewing our growing library of river photos on Flickr, you should know this: it ain’t all that bad.

Immediately following the email, Amy Kober - in true communications fashion - replied with a more positive spin from the latest issue of Trout Unlimited’s magazine:

According to a 2006 US Fish & Wildlife survey, sportsmen and women spend $76 billion per year. More findings:

More people (30 million) go fishing each year than to go Disney World (16 million), the number one vacation destination in the world.

Spending by hunters and anglers is more than the combined revenues of Microsoft, Google, eBay and Yahoo.

The sportfishing industry supports twice as many jobs as the US Postal Service

So, communing with nature on a river - okay, I admit - is good, but for those of you who feel slightly attacked by such a study (I am the “internet” guy at American Rivers) I say forget about it! Please, let me reassure you, it’s okay to be on your computer taking action, downloading photos and sending eCards.

Hydropower Reform Coalition Launches “Dam Effects”

Posted on February 5, 2008 | Filed Under Dam Removal, Hydropower, River Renewal, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

Our partner, Hydropower Reform Coalition, recently launched an extremely user-friendly website that ~~explains~~ shows the the effects of dams on rivers and the environment.

View www.dameffects.org.

There is an overwhelming and erroneous belief that all dams are environmentally friendly and provide an inexpensive source of “green energy”. While there is a wealth of information refuting this misconception, this data is often too technical and/or time consuming for the average citizen to understand.

Idaho Rivers and Hydropower Reform Coalition came up with the idea of developing a powerful visual tool to explain the effects of dams on rivers and the environment and to explain that dams and hydroprojects can be operated differently to reduce their adverse impacts. The main objective of the website is to raise public awareness as to the real cost of dams and poorly run hydropower projects to the society and the environment. This project was made possible with funding from the Hewlett Foundation.

National River Cleanup is Live (shhh, it’s a soft launch)

Posted on January 29, 2008 | Filed Under Cleanup, Events, Technology

Chas Offutt, Director of Internet Strategy
Technology & Rivers

After nearly three months of learning a new Convio module, designing the page(s) and wrangling the content, we are excited to beta launch National River Cleanup^TM.

Basically, what that means is though the “site” is up and running, and you can officially organize or volunteer at a cleanup, we’re still testing and tweaking the overall functionality.

And here’s where you can help! Give it a spin by testing out the links, even try organizing your cleanup or search for a cleanup happening close to you (there were 11 cleanups in the first 24 hours!).

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 address the hiccups as they unfold.

Please visit www.NationalRiverCleanup.org or www.AmericanRivers.org/Cleanup.

About National River Cleanup^TM (straight from our site)

Millions of tons of trash end up in our nation’s rivers and streams every year. American Rivers is a proud sponsor of National River Cleanup^TM, the most popular and successful stream cleanup program in the country that taps into the civic pride of tens of thousands of volunteers across the country.

National River Cleanup^TM is a year-long event. This year’s event officially kicks-off May 31st - June 8th, though American Rivers will help support cleanups planned before the May 31st.

Since the launch of this annual event by America Outdoors in 1991, more than 600,000 volunteers have participated in thousands of cleanups across the country, covering more than 100,000 miles of waterways. These cleanups have removed more than 1,000 tons of litter and debris from America’s rivers and streams.

National River Cleanup^TM 2007 was the most successful year to date, with more organizers and cleanups than ever before, in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

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